School board looks at financing options for renovations

Article Photos

JERSEY SHORE - Renovation considerations for Jersey Shore Elementary School continued Monday night during the Jersey Shore Area School Board's work session.

The board received a financial review of the district, and possibilities the board can choose from in terms of reimbursement and the effect on millage rates, while keeping in line with budgets and its effect on taxpayers.

Jamie Doyle, senior managing consultant of Public Financial Management in Harrisburg, presented financing options to the board, giving a "ballpark price tag for things (it) may be doing in the future."

Doyle provided four options from which the board could choose in financing the estimated $12 million worth of renovations, and projected the impact on the district and taxpayers in Lycoming and Clinton counties.

However, the financing all depends on the on how the market is at the time of the decision to proceed with the project, Doyle added.

"I just want to make it clear," said board member John Shireman, "we're not committed to anything right now. This is just information gathering to decide where we want to go."

PTO president Ruth Buttorff had a few suggestions for the board to consider with the renovations to the elementary school, such as health and infrastructure repairs.

"There are a lot of problems with the school," Buttorff said. "There are things that need replaced - the building is worn out. We (the PTO) just want to give our support."

In other business, the board received an update on the district's Pre-K Counts program from assistant superintendent Robert Conroy and Laura Milarch, principal of Nippenose and Avis Elementary schools.

The next school board meeting is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 26 in the Administration Building.