Site work for the new elementary school along Twin Ponds Road between Long Lane and Schantz Road in Upper Macungie Township began May 10.

Parkland School District Superintendent Richard Sniscak told The Press environmental controls had to be taken care of first to prepare the site.

Then, stone driveways were put in place for use by construction vehicles.

Construction manager Alvin H. Butz is overseeing the contractors throughout the project.

Livengood is doing the earthwork. The company was awarded the job with its bid of $4.47 million.

Director of School Services David Keppel said the property will be graded.

“[After that they’ll dig the floaters and pour concrete, Keppel said. “Then we’ll see some steel coming up.”

Sniscak noted an official ground-breaking ceremony will take place after safe access and a parking section are available.

During the May 15 school board meeting, Sniscak reported the district is purchasing eight used 2015 buses and eight new ones with the $1.2 million insurance payment from the garage fire earlier this year.

The new 72 passenger buses will be obtained from the Wolfington Body Co. at a cost of $684,616.

The board approved a proposal from Integra ONE for replacement of the storage area network at the high school for $397,939.

“That is a file management system for all of our computer applications,” Sniscak said.

For the main computer room at Parkland High School, the board approved installation of two Liebert in-row cooling systems by the DVL Group at a cost of $148,460.

The board approved C. Steven Miller as district solicitor and Buckno, Lisicky, and Company, Certified Public Accountants, as auditors.

Sniscak recognized the retirement of Carol Williams who served Parkland as a bus driver for 41 years.