Safety, security, and compliance with Americans With Disabilities Act regulations are major factors in the proposed $8.97-million renovation of the Kratzer Elementary School.

Senior Project Manager for Alvin H. Butz Inc. Tom Daniels, and USA Architects Project Manager James Petro explained during the school board's Sept. 17 meeting, the changes to be made during the 18-month project.

Petro said the present arrangement at the school has buses and vehicular traffic all trying to use the same lanes to drop off or pick up children.

"We propose to reconfigure a bus parking area," Petro said. "Buses will have their own driveway out of the parking lot."

He said the main entrance to the school is not delineated.

"We're trying to clean this up and redefine the main entrance and create a safe place for students," Petro said.

To enhance security, a vestibule with a second set of doors will be installed. The doors will be locked after students arrive.

Visitors will have some type of buzzer system to enter after that time.

Petro said ADA upgrades include widening doorways in all rooms except the 1990 wing, which is already compliant, and making all existing toilets accessible.

Other work at Kratzer involves renovation of the administrative offices, replacement of all cabinets, major upgrade of the kitchen, electrical and HVAC systems, replacement and relocation of the generator, site improvements,and rental of portable classrooms for use while the project is ongoing.

District Superintendent Richar d Sniscak reported the cost estimate is higher than the anticipated $5.7 million for several reasons.

He said most of the building is from the 1960s and things need replacement. Widening doorways is a big expense, the electrical room has to be enlarged, and a head end room for computer circuitry must be added.

The district wanted to convert Kratzer Elementary to gas, which would have been a savings, but UGI doesn't have a large enough line in the vicinity, Sniscak said.

Daniels said the Kratzer work should be completed by August 2015.

Other district capital improvement projects for 2014 and 2015 include vestibule security enhancement at Ironton and Parkway Manor elementary schools and major work at Orefield Middle School on the boiler, roof, site lighting and bus garage at a projected cost of $17.78 million.

The district is borrowing up to $30 million over a three-year period to pay for the projects.

Sniscak addressed the time period beyond 2015.

"Then we will turn our attention to Troxell and the many building renovations of the 1990s," Sniscak said. "Now it's amost 20 years, and they are starting to need replacement."