Bethel spends $3.1 million of their capital funds on technology

Upgrades to Bethel Park’s school computers to cost $3.1 million

Feb 21, 2018 12:36 pm
Bethel Park School District is projected to spend roughly $3.1 million over the next five years to keep its technology up-to-date.​

Change Orders for March

The change orders listed on the Agenda for Monday, March 10, 2014 has me totally confused.

Change Orders for High School Renovation Project – The following change orders are presented for Board consideration. All the change orders listed below (totaling $168,011 from High School Project contingency and $49,246 from Capital Projects Budget) have been reviewed by the architect, PJ Dick and the District administration.
a. EL-58-217 to Farfield for $63,576 for power changes, wireless access additions, conduit, work lights and breakers in panels,
b. ME-22-218 to McKamish for $3,381 for heater unit,
c. GC-98-219 to Nello for $101,054 for drywall, door and window repairs, changes to beams and decking, and roof and joist reinforcements, and
d. EL-59-220 to Farfield for $49,246 for Auditorium Sound System piping (from Capital Projects Fund).

 I guess I am adding $168,011 to the High School Change Orders running total and $49, 246 to the High School Capital Projects total. Running totals have been updated.

Can you hear me now?

The school board is considering spending $400,000 for better cell phone coverage at the high school. The spent quite a bit of time at the school board meeting on Monday night justifying this expense under Capital Projects. The question was posed at the 20:34 minute mark of the discussion session.

It seems as though there are land line telephones in every classroom, but cell phone coverage is poor inside the high school. While construction is being done at the high school, the school board feels that this is the time to install cell phone repeaters. Since we rely on our cell phones in emergency situations, the school board directors consider this as a safety issue.

The $400,000 cost is item number 43 on the capital projects list totaling $1.6 million, not totaled on the agenda.  The Almanac covers the capital projects list in more detail here, Lebo schools to use $1.6 million for capital projects.

Ye Old Trophy Case is on this list. Dan Remely reminded the board that budget cuts are getting more and more difficult every year. Why is $75,000 being considered since it serves no safety, general maintenance, or educational purposes? The answer is that the capital fund is over $5.6 million. The school board is still considering how the trophy case will be paid.

If anyone is looking to file a Right To Know, the list of Capital Projects, including the top 67 items, would be a good start. This year's list is $500,000 more than usual.