The Bethlehem Area School Board members voted unanimously Feb. 25 to move ahead with plans to explore construction of a new Nitschmann MS building. The project which will go into the design phase overseen by D'Huy Engineering Inc.

Total cost for a new Nitschmann is expected to be $53.7 million. D'Huy Engineering, Inc. will receive a fee of 3.5 percent of the construction cost, which is $48 million. This fee is based on industry-wide standards. D'Huy's services will encompass pre-design, design, bidding and close-out phase project management. The $53.7 million dollar figure includes added expenses such as financing and contingency costs.

Board member Irene Follweiler clarified concerns that were brought to her attention regarding the process used in awarding the project management contract to D'Huy. Superintendent Joseph Roy explained that since D'Huy is currently retained as district engineer, as a professional service the district is not required to solicit request for proposals. A separate contract will be drafted between the district and D'Huy for the Nitschmann project.

Typically when a district undergoes a major construction plan, a project manager is retained. The project manager acts to ensure the best interests of the "owner," in this case the district, is met throughout all phases of the project. In its ongoing role as district engineer, D'Huy has provided this and other related services in the past and currently.

Roy stressed that past district projects overseen by D'Huy have come in under-budget and have been executed in an efficient manner. There have been no instances of lawsuits against the district or shoddy construction issues.

"The amount of construction our district has had over the last number of years to continuously update our buildings [with] minimal to zero overruns, it is actually amazing how good it has been," Roy added.

The approval to advance the Nitschmann project into the design phase will, as Follweiler said, "Set the project in motion, but not in stone."

Other items approved were high priority projects identified during the Feb. 4 facilities committee meeting. These items include replacement of the aging boiler system at Lincoln ES with a high efficiency system; replacing the condenser water pipe in Liberty HS's learning center and new storm systems at Spring Garden, Farmersville and William Penn elementary schools.

Combined cost for the repairs is $546,000 and will be funded using $500,000 from the capital reserve account. The work is scheduled to be completed during the summer.