A feasibility study conducted by USA architects, with input from the Parkland School District administration, compiled a list of recommendations for maintaining and improving facilties, updating technology infrastructure and security systems, and replacing school buses at a cost of $24 million.

At the school board's Sept. 18 meeting, architect Paul Swartz reported his firm evaluated the conditions and infrastructure of each Parkland building to offer a "roadmap" of projects for the next five years.

Swartz concluded renovation of Kratzer Elementary School should be a major priority.

"Kratzer needs the most work of any of the schools," Swartz said.

With its most recent improvements completed in 1991, Kratzer's heating, air conditioning and plumbing equipment are outdated and at the end of their 20-year life expectancy.

Stuart Heisey, of Entech Engineers, said Kratzer is an all electric building with heat pumps and inefficient electric water heaters.

Suggested updating projects for Kratzer involve the electrical system, indoor and outdoor lighting, and the data infrastructure.

A long list of items needing replacement includes asbestos flooring, acoustical ceilings, kitchen equipment, doors and hardware, plumbing fixtures in toilets, sections of the roof and the HVAC systems.

Installation of gas-fired water heaters is proposed.

Total cost for Kratzer improvements is $5,230,175.

While not in as great a need as Kratzer, all other district buildings were designated for upgrades and maintenance projects.

Heisey recommended energy assessments for all buildings except Jaindl Elementary, the newest one in the district.

"We need to get an engineer at each site to make sure it is a healthy environment," Heisey said.

He said there are three levels of energy assessments, ranging from a cost of $6,000 for Level I (Ironton, Schnecksville, Parkway Manor, Fogelsville and Cetronia); $20,000 for Level II (Kernsville and Kratzer); and $35,000 to $50,000 for Level III (Orefield and Springhouse middle schools and the high school) for each building.

Energy audits evaluate how a building performs in relation to utility cost, energy use intensity and Energy Star rating.

Parkland High School, only 13 years old, is not performing as efficiently as it should, Heisey said, adding the building is using than $1 million per year for energy.

Tracy Smith, Parkland assistant superintendent of operations, reported to the board the district needs several security upgrades.

She is looking toward conversion to a keyless entry system, which would reveal at any time who is in the building and would help if evacuation is necessary.

The system also would eliminate time cards for support staff.

Security enhancements, which include additional cameras for most buildings, total $1,214,000.

Smith proposes a comprehensive 5-year funding plan for technology infrastructure and computers at a cost of $5.8 million.

She also says $1.5 million will be needed to replace 15-year-old buses.

Smith commented on the process of arriving at the list of recommendations.

"This took months and months," Smith said. "We looked at what we need to do to keep the quality of Parkland."

Superintendent Richard Sniscak offered his thoughts on the feasibility study.

"We prioritized our needs and met with our financial team," Sniscak said. "That's where the $24 million came from."

Administrators said the Troxell Building, which is in dire need of all major systems at a cost of $10 million, is not included in the $24 million because it did not make it to the list of priorities.

The district proposes a tiered financing option to borrow $24 million over the next several years.

At current interest rates, the debt service would amount to a 0.52 millage increase.

Sniscak provided final thoughts on the matter.

"We'll refer to this in the months ahead to see what we can do to maintain our facilities in a safe environment," the superintendent said.