Multiple bids for Liberty-Curtin Elementary School get KCSB approval

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – The Keystone Central School Board Thursday night gave its approval to bids for construction of a new Liberty-Curtain Elementary School planned for Blanchard. Bids okayed were for general contracting, electrical work and heating/air conditioning. The lone bid for plumbing was rejected because of the amount, to be rebid in the near future.

The bid approval vote was 6-1, board member Rick Schulze voting no. Board president David Dietrich and member Elisabeth Lynch were not present. Both Schulze and Dietrich had been defeated in Tuesday’s municipal election.

Project bids had been opened earlier this month and the base bids totaled $19.1 million, as opposed to a pre-bid estimate of $17 million. And that $19.1 million amount did not cover the project plumbing which came in at more than double the $1.529 million estimate from the architectural firm of Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates.

Even with the plumbing rebidding, district officials believe the new school will be completed by August of 2025.

Board members who supported the project were effusive in their praise for proceeding with the new school to replace the original structure built in 1966 and badly in need of repairs. Liberty-Curtin office secretary Wendy Zimmerman addressed the board on “the many system failings” at the school, including water damage, sewage down the hallways, HVAC problems and “the roof blowing away.” She said the district and staff are trying to maintain the structure as “best we can” as plans for the new school proceed. She made mention of people who have told her of their interest in relocating to the Liberty-Curtin area in order for their children to attend the new school.

Board member Polly Donahay, whose district includes Liberty-Curtin, said the decision to proceed is “near and dear to my heart…I’m so happy,” as she noted a five-year effort to get to this point. Superintendent Jacquelyn Martin renewed her support for building a new school. She made several points; these included what would be the need to build an addition to the Mill Hall Elementary School if Liberty-Curtin would be closed; some students as young as five years old already spend an hour a day on a school bus in the rural portion of that area; and renovation costs would be nearly as expensive as new construction.

Board member/facilities committee chairman Jeff Johnston said the new school is needed in the community and will serve as a “magnet” for the area. With the addition of Liberty-Curtin, he said, all facilities within the district will be ‘in pretty good shape.”

The district said goodbye to longtime Sugar Valley board member Wayne Koch who did not seek re-election this year. Koch had logged 14 years on the school board and received a special plaque made by district students thanking him for his “dedicated service.” He also was honored by a special musical goodbye prepared by students at Central Mountain High School. In brief comments, Koch said he was leaving “with mixed feelings” and said there is still “much to be done” and offered to help in any way he can.

Koch was not present and attended by Zoom. Superintendent Martin said she would hand-carry his new plaque and a gift card to him on Friday, expressing the hope the retired Koch will be up when she arrives.