Neshaminy board approves bond refunding, construction change orders, consultant contracts and reaffirms COVID plan

The Neshaminy School District Board of School Directors met and unanimously approved a set of routine business and capital items, including a resolution to refinance outstanding 2015 general obligation bonds, multiple construction change orders for athletic and school projects, vendor contracts for testing and consulting services, and the district’s COVID-19 health and safety plan.

Board members voted 7–0 to approve a resolution to refund Series A and C of the district’s 2015 bonds. “These bonds are now available to be refunded, and it’s approximately $40,000,000 worth of outstanding debt…we would receive the proceeds of the refinancing of approximately $1,500,000,” said Mr. Erwin, a district staff member who briefed the board on the refinancing. Officials said the issuance cannot market until July 1 but steps are being taken to be ready should market conditions remain favorable.

In construction matters, the board authorized change orders for the Neshaminy High School field project that included a $668,000 credit tied to design adjustments and additional electrical-supply work caused by schedule delays. The district also approved a change order with Gilmore and Associates for the new elementary school at the Maple Point campus (amount listed in the agenda as not to exceed 15,400) and authorized Geo Structures Inc. to provide construction testing and inspection services for the new elementary school at a not-to-exceed cost of $183,000.

The board approved a settlement related to PennDOT’s condemnation proceedings for roadway improvements in the Maple Point area that will result in a payment to the district of $142,000 under Pennsylvania’s eminent-domain procedures. Members also approved vendors’ builders-risk insurance quotes and a block-scheduling consulting contract with School Scheduling Associates not to exceed $25,000 (five on-site days and up to 10 hours of virtual follow-up between Sept. 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024).

The board affirmed various personnel and student-related consent items — including retirements, resignations, appointments, leaves, ancillary and co-curricular appointments — and approved the 2023–24 school-year calendar. The board also reaffirmed the Neshaminy School District’s health and safety plan as required by the U.S. Department of Education and said the plan remains subject to further changes based on guidance from applicable government agencies.

Votes at a glance

- Bond refunding (6.02): approved 7–0; district staff estimated about $1.5 million in refinancing proceeds on roughly $40 million outstanding debt.
- NHS field change orders (6.03): approved 7–0; includes a $668,000 credit and additional electrical supply work.
- Maple Point elementary change order (6.05): approved 7–0; amount on agenda listed as not to exceed 15,400.
- Geo Structures testing services (6.06): approved 7–0; not to exceed $183,000.
- PennDOT settlement (6.07): approved 7–0; board authorized execution of settlement documents; payment noted as $142,000.
- School Scheduling Associates block-scheduling contract (7.07): approved 7–0; not to exceed $25,000.
- Reaffirm COVID-19 health and safety plan (7.1): approved 7–0.

Board members offered brief congratulations to staff and retiring employees during approval of personnel items. Several approvals were presented as "master motions" combining multiple related agenda items into single votes and carried unanimously. No formal board action was recorded in response to public comments made earlier in the meeting.

The meeting adjourned after routine board comments and a final public-comment period.