Last Thursday evening, the Quakertown Community School board met to discuss district business, but the highlight of the evening included discussion of the five-year capital improvement plan and the concept budget for the new athletic fields.

            The project list for the capital improvement plan and the new athletic field proposal were drafted by D'Huy Engineering Inc. The list of projects and estimated costs were submitted by Mike Spadafora, senior project manager for the firm.

            The documents were submitted for review and in the near future, if approved by the board, documentation and bid phases for the summer of 2023 projects can begin as well as the updated five-year plan that is projected through 2028. In addition, new items will be added to the master list as needed.

            The plan will continue to be updated based on completed projects from the previous years and adjusted priorities based on the condition of any new projects that develop throughout the year.

            The capital improvement plan list included the high school, Strayer Middle School, Trumbauersville, and Richland Elementary schools. Projects include: LED interior lighting upgrades, occupancy sensors, and lighting controls. The 6th grade building at Strayer projects include main roof replacement, replacement of gas and diesel pump dispensers, and new mill and overlay of all parking lots and driveways.

            These projects are intended to span over a five-year time period starting in 2023. The total cost is estimated at $9,808,995.

            The engineering firm also included a detailed list of expected costs of the new athletic field at the 6th Grade Center. The construction of the baseball field and all features, stormwater and erosion control as well as bleachers and scoreboards, will cost approximately $5,398,750. This includes all construction, land development, legal fees, escrow and permits.

            The board will vote on the capital improvement plan and athletic field project at a board meeting in the near future.

            Several parents and residents publicly commented on the capital improvement plan and supported the construction of the new athletic field.

            However Roberta Rogers, of Quakertown Borough, strongly critiqued the five-year improvement plan. She stated the plan did not include any improvements to Quakertown Elementary even though the building is in need of major repair. In addition, she stated that there has not been clear discussions or decisions on the closing of the school.

"In reviewing the plan, there is no accounting for any improvements or renovations to QE. We all know it requires extensive repair. It is non-transparent to downright deceitful to continue to act as if it will remain open," she said.

            In other news, the board reviewed the health and safety plan. School districts are required to review and/or revise their health and safety plan at least every six months during the entire period of the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief grant. There were no significant changes made to the health and safety plan.