Glendale Receives Stimulus Money for Projects (PA)
June 9, 2010
Glendale School District will receive more than $2.5 million in federal stimulus money to cover the interest costs for planned improvements.
Superintendent Arnold Nadonley said Monday the funding will pay the interest on a $7 million bond for the district, which lies in Cambria and Clearfield counties.
He expects the school board to act later this month or next month on replacing the roof on the joint elementary and junior-senior high complex.
Other work, including replacement of some mechanical, safety and security systems, is needed to bring the district into compliance, Nadonley said. Those jobs will be considered late this year or in early 2011.
Glendale may also replace the sewage treatment system and on-lot water system serving the district complex with municipal services now available.
Glendale is the only school district in the Cambria-Somerset region to get the federal funding boost.
Eligibility is based on district need, considering in part the number of children eligible for free and reduced-price lunches, Nadonley said.
Statewide, 46 districts will receive a total of more than $600 million to help with 101 projects, said Steve Weitzman of the state Department of Education.
The districts are approved to use the money for improvements targeted at reducing energy or water consumption, or construction enabling a district to boost early childhood education or increasing student access to science and technology, Weitzman said.
Gov. Edward Rendell said in announcing the districts’ allocations that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding will save Pennsylvania school districts $513 million in financing costs.
Added savings will come when, for the first time in the state’s history, a single bond will be issued for all 101 projects. That will mean savings on bond counsel and underwriting over what would be spent if all 46 districts handled the funding separately, Weitzman said.
Nadonley said the $7 million bond may be expanded later to address other issues the district is facing.
A number of potential projects, including a building addition, were outlined at a recent public meeting. If all would be undertaken, the cost could climb to $19 million.
“I don’t think it’s going to be anywhere near that,” Nadonley said. “We think this (initial project) will get us part of the way there.”
� A;The interest-free bond will save district taxpayers $75,000 a year for the lifetime of the issue, which will be for 15 to 17 years, Nadonley said.