Unexpected elevator repairs and prevailing-wage pool bid push district to use capital reserves
June 08, 2026 | Saint Marys Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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District administration told the board on June 8 that construction work on the middle-school elevator uncovered two issues that require immediate fixes and additional funding.
The assistant superintendent said crews found water in the elevator pit during excavation; the board approved change order CO#1 with Fred L. Burns for $21,225.37 to excavate, drain and waterproof the pit. Administration also reported a structural load distribution issue that was not included in the original design. The board approved change order CO#2 for $26,314.27 to install additional steel columns to distribute elevator loads across the split-level design.
"So water was discovered during the digging of the pit, and it needed to be excavated and drained and then, of course, waterproofed," administration told the board. Administration added that both change orders would be funded from capital reserves and that the additional costs reduce savings previously planned for a vertical lift on the opposite side of the middle school entrance.
Separately, administration presented a low bid for pool liner and spa upgrades of $321,555 but said the bid exceeded earlier estimates by about $60,000 because prevailing-wage requirements had to be applied to the full repair scope. "So that's a $60,000 difference," the assistant superintendent said, and recommended the board use capital reserves to cover the increase rather than reopening the budget.
Board members approved the elevator change orders and the pool contract by voice votes. Administration asked the board to authorize the superintendent or designee to approve emergent or time-sensitive change orders during June and July; the board granted that authority and required the district to present any such executed change orders at the August 2026 meeting for ratification.
The immediate repairs address safety and operational concerns at the middle school and allow work to proceed this summer; the use of capital reserves will be reflected in the district's financial reporting and will reduce funds available for other planned projects.
The assistant superintendent said crews found water in the elevator pit during excavation; the board approved change order CO#1 with Fred L. Burns for $21,225.37 to excavate, drain and waterproof the pit. Administration also reported a structural load distribution issue that was not included in the original design. The board approved change order CO#2 for $26,314.27 to install additional steel columns to distribute elevator loads across the split-level design.
"So water was discovered during the digging of the pit, and it needed to be excavated and drained and then, of course, waterproofed," administration told the board. Administration added that both change orders would be funded from capital reserves and that the additional costs reduce savings previously planned for a vertical lift on the opposite side of the middle school entrance.
Separately, administration presented a low bid for pool liner and spa upgrades of $321,555 but said the bid exceeded earlier estimates by about $60,000 because prevailing-wage requirements had to be applied to the full repair scope. "So that's a $60,000 difference," the assistant superintendent said, and recommended the board use capital reserves to cover the increase rather than reopening the budget.
Board members approved the elevator change orders and the pool contract by voice votes. Administration asked the board to authorize the superintendent or designee to approve emergent or time-sensitive change orders during June and July; the board granted that authority and required the district to present any such executed change orders at the August 2026 meeting for ratification.
The immediate repairs address safety and operational concerns at the middle school and allow work to proceed this summer; the use of capital reserves will be reflected in the district's financial reporting and will reduce funds available for other planned projects.
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