The Montoursville Area School Board at its July meeting approved a construction cost of $23.9 million for the Lyter Elementary School building project.

Scott Cousin, of Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates, the architectural design firm for the project, said the resolution approved by school directors prevents costs from exceeding that amount.

“Costs can go back down,” he said.

The next step will be a public hearing to review aspects of the expansion plan.

The hearing will provide information to taxpayers and to consider project costs, Cousin said.

Lyter Elementary is undergoing expansion to accommodate additional students with the closing of Loyalsock Valley Elementary School in 2027.

A public comment period will come at the end of the hearing, according to Cousin.

Written comments regarding the project will be accepted for a period after the hearing.

The vote by the board was 7-0 to approve the construction costs.

Voting yes were John Houseknecht, Brenda Oberheim, Doug Gardner, Todd Badger, Sharon Meyer, Daniel Albert, and Tina McCloy.

Dave Young and Brad Eisenhower were absent.

In other matters related to the construction project, the board approved amendments to agreements with Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates for kitchen and cafeteria equipment and for geotechnical engineering services.

The board approved a one-year insurance coverage agreement for $289,445 with Sims Insurance Agency.

In personnel action, the board approved the following for coaching positions:

• Jonaida Niesha Williams, assistant volleyball, $2,600.

• Travis Heap, assistant girls soccer, $2,600.

• Hailey Stetts, junior softball, $2,000.

• Makayla Arnold, assistant junior high softball, $1,150.

The following resignations were approved:

• Paige McDonald, English teacher.

• Nicole Casale, girls soccer.

• Lauren O’Malley, girls soccer.

• Robyn Hagemeyer, softball.

The board approved the hiring of Paige McDonald as a part-time paraprofessional at $16 per hour.

School directors also approved the addition of a long-term substitute to address class-size reductions.

The board approved agreements with the following:

• New Story Schools, Selinsgrove for educational services.

• Soaring Heights School for special education and related services.

• UPMC Pediatric Therapy Services.

• Lincoln Learning Services.

• Equipment Online Learning Services.