As construction moves along on the Veterans Memorial Elementary School in Upper Macungie, Parkland School District officials are ordering equipment for the building which is expected to open in September 2020.

At the Oct. 15 meeting, the board approved purchase of classroom, office and cafeteria furniture for the school at a cost of $353,554 from Tanner Furniture, Harrisburg.

Audiovisual equipment for the gym, cafeteria and main conference room areas will be bought from Comm-Tech AV, Macungie, at a cost of $107,729.

Security cameras for the new school will be purchased from Johnson Controls, Allentown, at a cost of $73,503.

Forty-two projectors will be acquired from Troxell Communications, Royersford, at a cost of $50,350.

For the outside area of the new facility, a play structure and three-bay swing set, including installation, will be purchased from George Ely Associates, Carlisle, at a cost of $59,983.

Lastly, the board approved a Cub Cadet garden tractor and a 42-inch snowblower at a cost of $7,181 from Eckroth Equipment Co., Orefield, for the new school.

In a different matter, the board approved purchase of a lined, box-pleated stage curtain and valance for the high school at a cost of $14,308 from Center Stage Rigging and Lighting, Allentown.

Superintendent Richard Sniscak reported the old curtain was there since the school opened and needed to be replaced due to being ripped.

On another topic, the board approved a professional services agreement between Drake University and the school district for Character Counts staff training at an initial cost of $15,500, plus expenses.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rod Troutman explained Character Counts is a social-emotional learning program for the high school.

“We’ll train staff this spring and roll out for grades nine through 12 in September,” Troutman said.

On a different subject, the board appointed Kelly Kester as assistant board secretary.

She is the superintendent’s executive assistant.