East Lycoming School District approved a storm water management plan, which is required by the Lycoming County Planning Commission as a condition of issuing the construction permit for the Lycoming Career and Technology Center addition.

District Superintendent Dr. Mark Stamm said the plan outlines how district maintenance staff will ensure the “long-term integrity of the retention basins.”

Hughesville Borough officials also are going to review the plan for approval.

The school board also reviewed a turf management agreement and requested proposals for management of the athletic turf grass fields to support the management plan. Covered fields include the football stadium, soccer stadium, and two softball fields. Four proposals were received, ranging in value from $44,200 to $18,435 and the board approved Hummer Turfgrass for $18,435 annually for three years.

This price represents an approximate $6,000 savings over the amount paid in FY 24-25 for this same service.

Water mitigation continues on the Hughesville High School campus.

Miller Soil Solutions began work the week of July 7. The box culvert at the soccer stadium was placed on July 17 and will be completed by the end of the following week. Culvert one, farthest up stream will be next and culvert three, at Boak Ave, will be done last. The sequencing was to ensure that access to the Little League fields was not interrupted during a large tournament already scheduled.

“We did encounter a potential sewer pipe issue that may present additional cost at Boak Avenue depending on if the pipe is encased in concrete.” Stamm said. If not, that will need to be done as a result of the weight of the culvert above.

Additionally, the district is working through the most cost effective option to reroute an existing power line that supplies electricity to Little League fields and the soccer stadium. Look for final completion at the end of October.

Ashkar playground update

The playgrounds at Ashkar Elementary School are going up as scheduled despite the rain. The smaller K-2 playground is complete and ready for mulch. The larger playground has one large piece that needs to be installed and some smaller components. A playground mulch blower was secured that will save considerable time moving the mountains of mulch.

Athletics projects

Painting of the tennis courts began the week of July 15 and is done.

Track surfacing under way. This project along with the fencing is on schedule. With input from the Athletic Committee, the color of the track was changed from green to dark grey at no cost.

Cafeteria expansion, fine arts classrooms

With multiple prime contractors on this project, the district experienced some delays in the schedule, but nothing, presently, to prevent full use of the spaces when students return, according to Stamm. The new addition is under roof, bricked, and ready for windows. Furniture will arrive in early August but the logo tops will be installed in early September. Classrooms received their first coat of paint this week and are being prepared for cabinet installation.

Gymnasium sound and auditorium performance

The district encountered some challenges with Illuminated Integrations at the beginning of July as they transitioned from the gymnasium to the auditorium project.

“I appreciate the work of Fidevia to facilitate a meeting between myself and the CEO to get the project back on track,” Stamm said.

Illuminated has brought on additional crews to ensure their original timeline will be met — substantial completion by Aug. 15. This project is now on schedule.

The gymnasium sound system is complete and administrators were trained on July 15.

“It sounds excellent and I am excited for the students and fans to hear it soon,” Stamm said.