Hampton School Board fields requests for facility improvements

The van used by Hampton Township School District to address heating, ventilation and air-conditioning needs is a 2009 model.

“It’s definitely past its useful time,” Jeff Kline, director of administrative services/transportation, said. “We don’t feel it will pass inspection this year.”

During the April 15 school board meeting, he presented departmental requests for 2024-25 in the district’s five-year facilities improvement plan and proposed budget. At $58,400, replacement of the 15-year-old HVAC van represents the largest request.

The price basically is a rough estimate.

“Post-pandemic, the auto manufacturers really cut back their government programs,” Kline said. “It used to be we could buy something at 65 or 70% of retail. Now, we’re paying pretty much close to retail for it.”

The school board will consider requests totaling $178,897 — primarily for improvements addressing buildings, vehicles and equipment — as potential expenditure items in the general fund budget for the next fiscal year. A board budget meeting is planned for April 29.

Another major facilities request is $36,000 for gymnasium floor renovation at Hampton Middle School.

“That is one of those items we may be able to push forward, just like we do from the laptops from time to time. We don’t wait until June to vote,” Superintendent Michael Loughead said, because the intent is to complete the project during summer break. “If there’s consensus for it at the budget meeting, I would suggest we keep it in the budget, and then contact a contractor and try to get it on the schedule.”

Other facilities requests for 2024-25 include:

• Walk-behind scrubber at Hampton High School, $10,500, as an alternative to the current practice or renting a machine for six to eight weeks during the summer.

• Replacement of six stage lights at Wyland Elementary School and installation of an exterior sign to match the one at Poff Elementary, total of $21,000.

• Guardrail installation to enhance safety next to a steep hillside in a Fridley Field parking lot, $18,000.

• Kitchen and food service improvements include a cafeteria replacement program and new walk-in refrigerator at Wyland. Disctrictwide requests add up to $109,300, but the items are financed through the cafeteria fund as opposed to the general fund, according to Kline.

The district’s 2024-25 budget calendar calls for a special board voting session on May 6 for the the proposed final general fund budget. Approval would comply with the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s requirement to advertise the proposed spending plan for 30 days prior to the vote on the final version, which is schedule for June 10.

A proposed preliminary budget approved in December contains a general fund expenditure projection of $64.06 million, an increase of $2.67 million, or 4.35%, over 2023-24.

The school board also voted not to exceed the Department of Education’s Act 1 index for Hampton, capping a real estate tax increase at 5.3%, or 1.15 mills. The current rate is 21.85 mills.