By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

The Parkland School Board has approved a proposal from the Alloy 5 architectural firm for a district Capital Improvement Plan at a cost of $85,555 plus reimbursable expenses.

The action taken at the Feb. 21 meeting had its origin at a board retreat in October 2022 and was discussed at the January and February Buildings and Grounds Committee meetings.

Project manager Erik Troutman explained the scope of the Capital Improvement Plan will include assessing all district facilities for capital improvement needs, prioritizing capital improvements using a matrix, and establishing a budget with a three-year plan and a five-year projection.

He added the plan will also include assessing the athletic department, the arts department, and food services, plus provision of a football stadium master plan.

The administration received proposals in December 2022, then narrowed the list to Alloy 5 and D’Huy Engineering, both from Bethlehem.

A committee appointed by board President Carol Facchiano interviewed representatives of the two firms and decided Alloy 5 would be better suited to produce a Capital Improvement Plan most appropriate for Parkland.

The administration noted the project is a professional service and not subject to the bidding process.

District guidelines indicate selection of the firm is not based on fee alone, but the company chosen must have the highest qualifications to prepare an accurate scheme that will guide the district with planning.

In January, the board also looked ahead with approval of a feasibility study to assess enrollment projections, future growth, and capacity of existing facilities to meet forthcoming needs.

For that endeavor, the board approved a proposal from RLPS Architects, Lancaster at $15,500 plus reimbursable expenses.

Since 2016, the district has been implementing recommendations from an in depth, $165,300 feasibility study prepared by the Stantec Corporation.

A recent response to the Stantec report was removal of the original section of the Schnecksville Elementary School due to masonry issues and other factors.