Upper Darby committee hears capital-project update; new restroom method could cut high-school costs

Marvin Lee, director of operations for Upper Darby School District, told the finance and operations committee that the district is pursuing an alternative method to renovate public restrooms at Highland Park that would reduce the estimated cost from roughly $3.5 million under a conventional renovation to about $416,000 after competitive negotiations.

Lee said the district initially received four solar-for-schools grants covering six buildings but could not proceed at all sites because estimated roofing costs were about $4.5 million. To conserve capital for the recently acquired Delaware County Memorial Hospital project, the district re-evaluated the high-school restroom scope and identified a contractor using a method called “Miracle Method.” He said the alternate approach would allow the work to be completed in about a month rather than occupying the entire summer. The district completed plumbing video inspection to verify behind-wall conditions before proceeding.

A board member interrupted the presentation to emphasize the magnitude of the stated savings and to praise Lee and the facilities team for negotiating lower prices and preserving district resources for other priorities. Lee and other administrators said they will verify plumbing conditions and proceed only if the inspections show the work is appropriate.

The presentation also covered high-school auditorium and AT‑building projects, noting the spaces are heavily used each summer by a long-running summer-stage program and that quick turnarounds constrain the district’s ability to undertake extensive renovations. Planned summer 2026 work includes HVAC and air-handling unit replacements, unit ventilator upgrades, auditorium acoustics improvements, painting, ceiling work and toilet-room updates as scheduling allows.

Lee listed three grant-funded projects slated for spring/summer 2026: replacement of nine emergency generators at eight schools, replacement of more than 140 interior doors at Garford Elementary for security improvements, and roofing plus solar at Stonehurst and Hillrest. He said the three projects total about $3.5 million and that grants would cover approximately $2.8 million (about 80%); even with an added $444,000 in roofing costs, grants would cover roughly 70%.

Clifton Heights Middle School remains on track, Lee said, with roofing, spray-on fireproofing and exterior spray-foam insulation underway and a target of substantial completion and occupancy permit by Aug. 23, 2026, followed by punch-list work. The district has negotiated a 54% furniture discount for Clifton Heights — an improvement on prior deals — and the vendor committed to that discount on future projects above $300,000.

Lee summarized planned winter-break maintenance: pool water-circulation pump replacement, pool-deck resurfacing and new starting blocks, a domestic water booster pump at the high school, a new library floor at Highland Park and electrical-equipment replacement at Stonehurst using repurposed equipment from the hospital acquisition. He said the district has been proactive in seeking grant dollars and will return to the board with updates if schedules or budgets change.

The committee treated the item as informational; no formal action was taken on projects during the meeting. Miss Rogers, who moderated committee activity, reminded directors that the presentation was informational and that the district will report back if plans change.