The Salisbury Township school board held a workshop meeting Sept. 7 to discuss topics including the Guaranteed Energy Savings Agreement as it relates to future capital improvement projects, an overview of the many summer programs provided by the district and the rollout of the multitiered system of support for Salisbury Elementary School.

During the operations portion of the meeting, the board heard a presentation on the findings of the energy study conducted by the McClure Company. Representatives Alyssa Wingenfield and John Gunning outlined how the Guaranteed Energy Savings Agreement would save the district money over a 20-year period if the district were to make improvements in three key areas namely HVAC units at the middle school, lighting and ceiling upgrades at the middle school and Western Salisbury Elementary School as well as upgrading the building envelope which entails weather stripping and sealants on piping and electrical penetrations, roof and wall beams.

It should be noted that although the district is no longer using the Western Salisbury Elementary School property, McClure was asked to conduct an energy study as the district will likely need to utilize the space in the future due to overcrowding and space limitations in current buildings.

The board has much to consider. The middle school project alone would cost $7.2 million with a guaranteed energy savings of $642,749 over a 20-year period.

Western Salisbury upgrades will cost $4.6 million with an energy savings of $226,490. If both school projects are completed at the same time the cost would be $12.2 million with an energy savings of $868,490.

In order to get a full understanding of how to finance such a project, the board heard a presentation from Public Financial Management consultant Zach Willard. Willard explained the many options available and the inherent costs associated with financing.

Bill Bracket, director of facilities, reminded the board that in addition to replacing the HVAC in the middle school, the roof at the school also needs replacing in 2024 as well as the fire monitoring system. This comes with an additional price tag of $3 million.

With these future capital improvement projects top of mind, the board decided the best course of action would be to contract with McClure for the middle school upgrades, fine tune the financing options with the bank while concurrently working on the overall capital improvement plan throughout the next year.

Kelly Pauling, assistant superintendent, detailed the many programs the district offered throughout the summer during the curriculum and technology portion of the work session. Programs were designed to help close learning gaps, maintain skills and provide enrichment experiences for participating students.

Among these programs are fourth grade instrumental music, Camp Soar which was offered to rising fifth grade students to help with the transition to middle school, Falcon Experience for eighth grade students transitioning to the high school, STEAM Camp which sparks an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics and a field trip to the Mütter Museum for anatomy students interested in the medical field.

Kindergarten screenings were conducted as well as extended school year and the Salisbury Elementary School Summer Title I program. Several of these programs were funded through grants.

SES principal Zach Brem and Pauling provided the board with an overview of the multitiered system of support which will be implemented in the elementary school in an effort to identify struggling students based on data generated from assessments and screenings to provide targeted instruction in both reading and math. Schedules have been adjusted to deliver an “all-hands-on-deck” approach utilizing the most qualified staff including teachers, specialists, counselors and psychologists to work together in a team approach to help students.

Providing enrichment opportunities for students who do not need specific interventions is also part of the MTSS process.

The next meeting of the Salisbury Township School Board will be held 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at the administration building, 1140 Salisbury Road.