►
Description
July 25, 2023
A
This
will
be
our
public
hearing
on
this
subject
of
the
elementary
project
under
development
for
the
school
district
I'd
like
to
introduce
some
of
the
folks
that
will
be
with
us
this
evening.
To
my
right,
your
left,
there
is
our
school
district
solicitor,
Mrs,
Megan,
Turnbull
and
on
my
left
here.
Right
is
our
board
president
Mr
Barry
Christensen
and
next
to
him
is
the
project
architect,
team,
lead,
I.
A
Guess,
president
of
draw
Collective
Mr
Daniel
engine,
not
in
view
of
the
camera
right
now,
would
be
our
business
manager,
Mr,
Douglas,
McCausland
and
sitting
in
the
front
row.
I
forgot
your
name
I
apologize!
Thank
you.
Alicia
Henry
from
PNC
will
be
speaking
to
us
this
evening,
so
we've
got
a
a
packed
agenda.
We're
going
to
get
right
to
the
issues
and
be
able
to
take
public
comment
at
the
end
of
the
presentations,
the
future
of
our
school
buildings.
The
very
infrastructure
of
our
district
has
been
under
evaluation
for
two
plus
years.
A
The
driving
questions
were
first.
What
do
we
need
to
do
to
our
facilities
to
deliver
a
best-in-class,
21st
century
education
in
a
safe,
functional
and
stimulating
learning
environment
for
students
and
teachers?
In
other
words,
what
do
our
50
plus
year
old
buildings
need
to
meet
our
current
and
future
needs?
A
Third,
what
do
we
need
to
do
in
order
to
increase
school
and
campus
Safety
and
Security?
To
answer
these
questions?
The
district
commissioned
a
feasibility
study
from
the
Hayes
Design
Group
architectural
firm
to
provide
informed
direction
for
the
Bethel
Park
School
Board
to
steer
their
short
and
long-term
decision-making
for
the
future
of
Bethel
Park
part
of
this
study
included
a
demographer
study
of
Bethel
Park's
school
age,
population
and
community
population
trends.
A
A
A
A
All
of
us
in
the
school
district
readily
acknowledge
that
major
change
of
a
school
configurations,
School
construction
renovation
projects,
make
a
big
difference
in
a
community.
We
also
believe
that
this
is
the
best
investment
we
can
make
for
our
children
today
and
for
the
next
50
years,
which
brings
us
here
tonight.
B
Thank
you
so,
as
we
put
together
a
list
of
options
that
were
based
on
our
our
facilities
at
the
time
the
assessment
of
our
facilities,
we
rank
those
we
evaluated
them
the
doability,
but
but
also
how
it
relates
to
what
our
academic
goals
were
as
an
outcome
of
the
strategic
planning
process,
and
so
we
started
with
about
10
different
options.
We
ranked
them
based
on
their
affordability,
based
on
what
they
would
deliver
academically,
and
we
ended
up
with
the
option
that
we
have
here
today
in
front
of
us
and
I.
B
Think,
what's
you
know
really
important,
especially
from
a
board
standpoint
is
not
addressing
the
pains
that
we
have
today,
but
thinking
about
the
future
10
years
down
the
road
20
years
down
the
road.
These
are
long-term
strategic
Investments
that
we're
looking
at
making
and
the
option
that
we've
selected
I
believe
balances.
Both
are
initial
upfront
investment
and
balances
that
with
optimizing
our
long-term
operating
costs,
which
is
really
important
in
today's
environment
and
those
operating
costs
come
from
a
lot
of
different
things.
It
comes
from
the
utilities,
it
comes
from
Staffing,
it
comes
from.
B
You
know
the
security
Investments.
We
need
to
make
lots
of
different
things
and
the
option
that
we
have
in
front
of
us
today,
I
believe
and
I
think
the
majority
of
the
board
believes
sets
us
up
for
a
a
good,
sustainable
way
to
balance
our
operating
costs
going
forward.
That's
really
important.
In
today's
environment,
as
Dr
Walsh
said,
we
one
of
the
options
was
to
just
re-revamp
all
the
buildings
that
we
have
today.
B
It
costs
more
and
it
also
doesn't
set
us
up
for
the
future
where
we
can
have
a
more
sustainable
operating
model
for
these
buildings.
In
addition
to
you
know,
and
as
Dr
Walsh
said,
most
important
is
the
academic
side
of
this
equation.
How
do
we
deliver
consistent
learning?
How
do
we
have
Equitable
and
equal
class
sizes
in
addition
to
the
operating
cost
models,
where
we
utilize
our
staff
more
efficiently?
B
We
have
the
right
resources
delivered
to
the
right
classrooms
at
the
right
times,
and
we
do
in
a
very
cost
effective
way
and
that's
what
this
option
does
for
us
that
that
is
on
the
table
today
and
and
I.
Think
that's
that's.
You
know.
We've
been
through
the
investment
side,
which
obviously
will
bring
on
some
debt,
but
there's
an
opportunity.
It's
never
a
great
time
to
spend
95
million
dollars,
but
there's
no
better
time
than
now.
B
That's
what
I
believe,
because,
as
we
look
to
the
Future,
we're
going
to
see
a
very
large
turnover
in
staff
and
what
that
turnover
and
staff
is
going
to
do
is
bring
in
a
number
of
staff
at
the
lower
end
of
the
pay
scale.
It's
going
to
create
this
cushion
that
we
comply
towards
debt
retirement
which
is
going
to
allow
us
to
make
these
Investments
without
going
to
referendum
without
without
dramatically
increasing
millage
rates.
I
think,
today,
we're
already
doing
a
fantastic
job
of
managing
that.
B
If
people
listening
to
this
have
watched
our
budget
meetings
over
the
last
few
months,
Mr
McCausland
has,
in
every
meeting
verified
that
our
district
is
in
kind
of
the
the
medium
the
50
percentile
of
millage
rates.
But
if
you
look
at
academic
performance,
you
look
at
school
rankings.
We're
in
the
upper
10
percentile
I
would
imagine
I
didn't
do
the
math
just
now
in
my
head,
but
we're
very,
very
high
in
that
scale.
So
I
think
that
when
you
look
at
the
return
on
investment
that
this
District
gets
from
from
our
expenses,
it's
high.
B
C
As
indicated,
my
name
is
Megan
Turnbull
and
it's
my
pleasure
to
serve
in
the
role
of
solicitor
for
the
Bethel
Park
School
District
this
evening.
My
role
is
to
ensure
in
legal
compliance
in
terms
of
the
process
and
also
to
assist
in
the
smooth
operation
of
this
hearing.
This
matter
has
been
duly
advertised
for
July,
25th
2023
at
5
pm,
and
we
started
promptly
at
that
time.
It's
being
convened
as
a
special
public
hearing,
and
this
is
consistent
with
section
701.1
of
the
Pennsylvania
school
code
as
Dr
Walsh
indicated.
C
C
The
purpose
of
this
hearing
is
to
present
information
regarding
the
proposed
project
and
to
receive
public
comment
in
return.
This
hearing
was
authorized
by
board
resolution
number
8-2023
adopted
on
June
27
2023,
and
this
resolution
is
identified
on
page
four
of
the
ACT
34
hearing
book
notice
of
tonight's
hearing
was
published
in
The
Observer
reporter
on
June
29
2023,
and
a
copy
of
that
proof
of
publication
is
included,
as
exhibit
one
in
our
transcript.
C
A
notice
of
the
hearing
was
also
posted
on
the
district
website.
So
during
this
Heap
this
hearing
this
evening,
we
will
hear
comments
and
information
from
some
of
the
skilled
professionals
involved
in
the
development
of
the
project,
including
the
district's
Finance
director,
business
manager,
Doug
McCausland,
the
project
architect,
Daniel
angen
from
draw
Collective
and
a
representative
from
PNC
Capital
markets,
Alicia
Henry.
The
presenters
are
listed
on
the
agenda
that
is
available
by
the
door
and
is
also
included
as
Exhibit
2
in
the
transcript
and
as
otherwise
obtained.
C
Following
the
presentations
of
that
information,
we
will
accept
testimony
from
individuals.
The
public
was
invited
to
provide
written
comments
in
advance
of
this
hearing,
and
no
public
comments
were
received.
Additionally
the
public
was
invited
to
pre-register
to
speak
this
evening.
Should
they
wish
to
do
so
with
the
board
secretary
prior
to
noon
of
yesterday,
Monday
July
24th
2023
our
records
indicate
that
no
responses
or
requests
were
received
relative
to
that
information
or
that
invitation
a
set
forth
in
the
notice
speakers
are
going
to
be
provided
three
minutes
to
provide
their
comments.
C
We
will
also
allow
time
for
those
who
wish
to
offer
written
public
comments
this
evening
to
do
so,
and
we
will
accept
those
I
will
assign
those
and
Exhibits
a
number,
and
we
will
admit
those
into
the
record
as
well.
Individuals
should
identify
themselves
by
name
address
indicate
whether
you
are
a
district
resident,
parent
or
staff
member.
If
you
are
objecting
it
is
beneficial
to
those
receiving
these
comments
to
understand
those
concerns
and
any
proposed
resolutions
or
Alternatives
that
you
would
wish
the
board
to
consider.
C
You
may
only
speak
once
and
then
questions
if
any
may
be
responded
to
at
the
end
of
public
comment,
but
we
will
respectfully
request
that
you
provide
all
of
your
comments,
including
your
questions.
At
one
time,
I
will
keep
track
of
those
questions
and
those
will
be
forwarded
appropriately
following
this
evening.
There's
still
another
opportunity
to
participate
in
the
creation
of
this
record
for
a
period
of
30
days.
Following
this
hearing,
written
comments
are
additionally
accepted.
C
They
should
be
submitted
to
the
board
secretary,
which
is
here
at
the
district
administrative
offices
at
301,
Church,
Road,
Bethel,
Park,
PA,
15102
no
later
than
noon
on
Friday
August,
25th
2023.
again.
The
comments
should
include
the
name
and
address
of
the
person
submitting
the
information
and
a
description
of
any
comments
that
you
wish
included
again.
A
transcript
of
this
proceeding
and
the
written
comments
submitted
prior
to
the
hearing
at
this
hearing
and
by
August
25th
2023,
will
be
submitted
to
the
Department
of
Education
as
required.
C
This
is
a
public
hearing
which
serves
significantly
for
the
purpose
of
presenting
the
project
in
this
very
formal
way
and
accepting
public
comments.
There
will
be
no
voting
and
no
board
debate
at
this
hearing.
We
look
forward
to
receiving
those
comments
and
we
also
look
forward
to
the
presentations.
So
thank
you
and
with
that
I
believe
our
architect
or
oh
I'm.
Sorry.
A
I'm
gonna
introduce
Mr
Engen
again,
who
will
walk
us
through
the
project
and
in
in
bringing
him
forward.
I
want
to
emphasize
that
we
did
give
him
some
objectives
that
included
the
initial
items.
We
discussed
earlier,
that
it
was
important
that
the
buildings
would
be
conducive
to
a
21st
century
education.
They
would
be
safe
and
secure
buildings,
and
they
would
also
allow
us
that
kind
of
flexibility
for
the
equity
issues
that
we
had
been
dealing
with
in
our
current
configuration.
D
Thank
you
included
in
the
ACT
34
booklet
is
available
at
the
front
of
the
room
and
has
been
available
since
June
the
when
we
advertised
for
this
hearing
I
will
present
some
selected
Pages
out
of
the
ACT
34
booklet
to
describe
the
project
as
a
part
of
the
project
process.
Dr
Walsh
mentioned
that
there
was
a
feasibility
study
and
that
there
were
at
least
10
options
that
were
considered.
Ultimately,
three
options
floated
to
the
surface
prior
and
out
of
the
three
options
one
of
those
was
selected.
D
It
makes
it
relatively
easy
to
discern
the
types
of
spaces
that
we
need
in
the
building
the
number
of
spaces.
This
is
a
site
plan.
This
is
the
existing
site
map
showing
the
property.
Overall,
the
district
purchased
an
adjacent
property
to
the
Neil
Armstrong
Middle
School
site
on
this
map.
You
can
see,
there's
an
existing
building,
that's
the
Neil
Armstrong
Middle
School
and
then
in
the
center
is
the
proposed
new
building.
So
you
can
get
a
relationship
of
new
versus
existing
next
slide.
D
Please,
and
this
is
a
map
of
the
development
of
the
site,
you
can
still
see
Neil
Armstrong
Middle
School
in
the
upper
right
on
the
same
orientations
of
the
previous
slide,
and
then
now
you
see
a
the
first
floor
plan
of
the
developed
building.
You
can
see
the
main
parking
lot
just
to
the
left
of
the
building
on
the
plan.
This
is
our
public
access
point
to
the
building,
and
so
that
is
the
front
of
the
building,
and
then
you
can
see
down
below
that
below
the
building
on
the
lower
portion
of
the
slide.
D
There's
a
bus,
driveway
and
parking
area
on
that
side.
So
one
of
the
key
aspects
of
the
project
was
to
try
to
completely
separate
parent
drop
off
and
pick
up
from
busing
drop
off
and
pick
up
from
a
safety
point
of
view
and
efficiency.
Point
of
view
next
slide.
This
is
the
ground
floor.
The
lowest
level
of
the
building
the
building
has
three
levels.
Overall.
D
On
the
ground
floor,
there
are
two
classroom:
Wings,
there's
a
kindergarten
wing
on
the
left
and
a
first
grade
wing
on
the
right
aligned
with
a
public,
Main
Street
and
along
that
Main
Street
are
special
classes
such
as
a
stem
classroom,
a
primary
library
and
a
primary
gymnasium
on
the
left
and
on
the
right
is
a
principal
ship
on
this
level.
The
building
in
its
three
level
stacking
actually
has
a
principal
ship
on
all
three
floors.
D
This
is
the
main
level
of
the
building
or
the
middle
floor.
This
is
the
level
where
you
actually
enter
in
from
a
public
point
of
view
and
there's
a
big
dashed
line
there
on
the
plan
that
shows
the
main
artery,
which
we
call
the
Park
path
or
Main
Street
of
the
building.
The
classroom
Wings
extend
off
of
that
on
this
floor.
We
have
second
and
third
grade.
On
the
left
hand,
side
near
the
front
entrance
is
the
administration
and
health
Suite
nursing
Suite.
There's
a
large
group
instruction
with
flexible
seating.
D
It
seats
just
over
600
people.
On
the
right
hand,
side
of
the
plan
is
a
full-size
gym
and
then,
in
between
those
two
large
spaces,
is
a
compartmentalized
cafeteria
and
kitchen.
It
has
two
serving
orientations
so
that
it
can
actually
function
as
two
separate
cafeterias
next
slide,
and
this
is
the
upper
level
fourth
and
fifth
grade
Wings
again
along
the
park
path
or
Main
Street.
If
you
follow
along
there,
we
have
art
rooms,
we
have
a
principal
ship
and
we
have
the
main
media
center
in
the
building.
D
So,
as
a
part
of
this
hearing,
we've
worked
through
the
cost
of
the
project,
but,
as
Megan
has
mentioned,
the
reason
for
this
hearing
when
you,
when
the
when
a
school
is
created
in
Pennsylvania,
that
is
greater
than
20
percent
of
the
area
of
the
existing
building
or
it
is
brand
new
and
act
34
hearing
is
required
and
as
a
part
of
that
process,
this
is
one
of
the
pages
in
the
Department
of
Education
documentation.
That
tells
you
it
acknowledges.
Is
your
project?
D
Does
your
project
require
an
act
34
hearing
and
in
this
particular
case,
all
of
our
square
footage,
278,
000
and
and
change
is
all
new
building,
which
of
course
acknowledges
that
we
need
an
act
34
hearing,
and
that
is
why
we're
here
today
next
slide
also
a
part
of
this
process.
The
board
to
follow
the
rules
has
had
to
identify
what
the
maximum
building
construction
cost
is.
D
That
is
the
number
that
really
applies
to
the
ACT
34
law
and
that
number,
in
this
particular
case,
that's
been
published
and
ratified
by
the
board,
is
97
million.
185
000
and
57.,
also
adopted
by
the
board,
is
a
maximum
project
cost
that
is
includes
all
things,
not
just
the
building.
It
includes
the
site
work.
It
includes
the
what
we
call
soft
costs,
which
are
things
such
as
engineering
fees,
financing
costs,
geotechnical
analysis,
construction
managers
and
contingency.
D
E
Good
evening,
ladies
and
gentlemen,
again
I'm
Alicia,
Henry
I'm,
acting
as
the
investment
banker
from
PNC
Capital
markets,
part
of
standard
practices
for
the
ACT
34
hearings.
I
will
mind
you
that
the
ACT
34
legislation
is
very
old.
We
talk
about
four
financing
mechanisms,
some
of
which
are
not
in
practice.
E
E
If
you
flip
to
the
next
page
option,
two
and
three
are
both
considered:
Revenue
Bond
issues
option
four:
a
general
obligation
bond
is
issued
directly
by
the
school
district
and
back
by
the
taxing
power
of
the
district.
This
almost
always
turns
out
to
be
the
most
economical
financing
mechanism,
which
we
do
prove
in
the
estimated
all-in
cost
at
the
bottom
of
the
chart.
E
Should
the
project
become
eligible
under
revised
legislation
and
then
the
Final
Act
in
the
financing
Alternatives
is
to
determine
the
millage
impact
of
the
project,
and
by
no
means
does
this
mean
the
board's
going
to
do
anything
with
the
millage.
But
this
is
an
obligation
of
the
hearing
to
create
both
a
direct
and
indirect
cost
of
the
project.
F
Doug
mccauslin
I'm,
the
finance
director
and
business
manager
for
the
school
district
at
the
bottom
of
that
page,
you
can
see
that
we
do
estimate,
as
Mr
Christensen
pointed
out,
that
we
will
have
some
attritional
savings
number
one
by
building
a
more
energy
efficient
building.
We
estimate
that
we'll
save
about
a
hundred
and
eighty
thousand
dollars
a
year
in
energy
costs.
The
bigger
part
of
the
savings
comes
from
the
ability
to
consolidate
staff
into
one
building
and
through
attrition
generate
a
number
of
savings,
also
by
older
staff.
F
Being
ready
to
retire
will
be
able
to
replace
them
with
a
younger
staff
to
fill
the
building
needs
right
now,
we're
estimating
that
savings
to
be
as
high
as
almost
three
million
dollars.
If
you
look
at
all
of
those
savings
and
you
net
that
out,
it's
about
1.25
mils.
So
when
you
compare
that
against
the
increased
cost
in
millage,
we're
really
netting
out
to
be
about
a
one.
It's
just
over
one
mil
increase
to
cover
the
increased
Debt
Service
for
this.
For
this
project.
C
C
This
is
the
time
that
we
would
invite
a
public
comment.
We
will
note,
for
the
purposes
of
the
record,
that
it
does
not
immediately
appear
that
we
have
a
large
crowd.
I
will,
for
purposes
of
the
record,
invite
anyone
who
wishes
to
offer
public
comment
to
come
forward.
Now
there
is
a
microphone
available
and
I
will
Mark
a
three-minute
okay,
a
three
minute
time
period.
We
are
also
for
purposes
of
the
record.
Reviewing
our
online
assets
just
to
Simply
ensure
that
there
is
no
one
online.
C
Thank
you,
Mr
mccauslin,
Mr
mccauslin
has
indicated
that
there
was
no
one.
There
is
no
one
presently
online
who
is
who
appears
ready
to
participate
and
so
without
any
other
further
Ado.
We
will
close
this
portion
of
the
hearing.
I
will
again
note
that
public
comment
will
be
Contin
will
be
accepted
in
written
form
through
August
25th
2023
at
noon.