The $10 million borrowed by Parkland School District for capital projects earlier this year may be depleted before the next bond issue anticipated for January or February 2019.

At the Oct. 23 meeting, the board approved a resolution to use the general fund for capital needs until new money is received, probably in March 2019.

The district will then reimburse the general fund.

Although the capital projects fund is directed toward a variety of district needs, this year, it was affected by an unexpected expense at the Veterans Memorial Elementary School under construction in Upper Macungie Township.

During the summer, project manager Rob Avitabile of Alvin H. Butz Inc., reported soil was not compacting at the site of the building and parking lot and would need to be remediated with 18 inches of stones.

The cost was $623,133 for the stones and preparation of the area by Livengood Excavators Inc.

Business Manager John Vignone reported as the $10 million will be expended in December, the district will be able to write checks from the general fund when bills are received.

“This assures us no breakdown in construction,” Vignone said. “It’s good we can do it. The last thing you want is to slow down a project.

“This gives us the approval to keep it moving. We may not need to use it but we want it in place if we have to.”

In addition to costs associated with the Veterans Memorial Elementary School, the capital projects fund is applied to improvements at existing district buildings and facilities; to purchase and the installation of technology upgrades and security systems; procurement of buses; and land acquisition.

Vignone commented on the forthcoming financial plan.

“2019 is the year we will be borrowing the majority of expenditures for the new school,” Vignone said. “That will probably be the biggest year. Then it will come down.

“The amount borrowed will be based on the draw schedule from project manager Butz.

“We need the money for the school and the other things, too.”

Before the expense for the stones and soil compaction remediation, the total cost of the school was anticipated to be $35.8 million, which included site work and road improvements.

The land was donated by David and Jackie Jaindl, whose family selected the name Veterans Memorial.