Costly but necessary facilities expenditures were the major topics of discussion at the Sept. 27 Saucon Valley school board meeting.

Although the evening’s agenda only reflected a Hirschberg Mechanical proposal for replacing two AC/heating rooftop units at $56,220, a potential final version discussed by directors was significantly more expensive.

Board President Dr. Shamim Pakzad asked for a motion to approve the initial agenda item, but director Bryan Eichfeld mentioned an email sent to the board from the district’s Business Manager David Bonenberger before the meeting.

In it, Bonenberger suggested also replacing three more worn units across the high school, bringing the total cost to approximately $124,000. Eichfeld suggested amending the proposal to include all five units, noting the eventuality of the replacements and the potential savings by having the work on them all done at once.

Pakzad informed Eichfeld that the topic was raised at the previous week’s Finance Committee meeting, with multiple concerns raised. Ultimately, Pakzad said the initial two units were only proposed because they’re “already out” and the “wait time for replacement is long,” and suggested addressing the other units in the future.

However, Eichfeld suggested at least ordering the other three units ahead of time, saying, “[the wait is] six months.” Director Michael Karabin asked what the risk was in waiting, as Bonenberger noted that prices continue to rise, and said, “there’s always the risk that they’re [out of stock]” if the board chose to wait.

Director Shawn Welch noted that if the board waited until the next Facilities Committee meeting on Oct. 12 to discuss the topic further, the soonest they could vote on the other units would be at the Oct. 25 meeting.

However, board Vice President Susan Baxter warned that, in the past, the board has “made many mistakes” by “worrying that we’re going to miss [a] great opportunity and the sky’s going to fall in tomorrow,” adding “this is not an emergency.”

Bonenberger affirmed that the quote he received was applicable for 30 days beyond its Sept. 19 date, and said “a few extra days seems unlikely” to allow for a significant increase in the units’ cost.

Director Dr. Laurel Erickson-Parsons asked if Bonenberger could procure another quote on the day following the meeting, which would extend the 30-day fixed price window. He suggested he could, although it likely would only be for the three additional units.

After some more discussion, Eichfeld motioned to move the all-encompassing proposal forward. However, Baxter, Karabin and director Cedric Dettmar continued to object. Dettmar said, regardless of the potential savings, the board “was not giving an advance notice to the public,” adding, “that’s a lot of money to be changing with no advance visibility.”

Ultimately, Eichfeld suggested tabling the entire agenda item, procuring a new quote including all five units, and further discussing the topic at the Oct. 11 meeting. His motion passed unanimously.

In other news, high school Assistant Principal Amy Braxmeier, who’s in her sixth year serving the district in an administrative capacity, received a promotion to become elementary school principal, effective Oct. 3.

Pakzad said he was, “excited that [she was] on the agenda for a really important role,” adding that, with the position being a “bigger platform with much more responsibility,” he was “sure that [she would] do an excellent job.”