The Seneca Valley School Board voted 8-1 on November 10 to award more than $119 million in construction contracts for the Intermediate High School and Performing Arts Center project, selecting the most comprehensive of five bid options after extensive public comment and board deliberation.

Option 5, which includes a new school addition, a fully built-out Performing Arts Center, renovations to the existing auditorium, cafeteria, gymnasium, and locker rooms, plus window security glazing, exterior walkway edging, and new signage, was approved on a roll call vote. Mike Jacobs cast the lone dissenting vote, citing concerns about budget strain.

The contracts were awarded to Massaro Corporation for general construction at $75,509,000; First American Industries for HVAC at $16,082,700; Vrabel Plumbing at $5,058,200; Blackhawk Neff for electrical work at $16,637,450; NEIS Collective for architectural casework at $4,500,000; and Canfield Development for asbestos abatement at $188,500.

Before the vote, board president Eric DiTullio presented all five options to the public and opened deliberation. The board first voted unanimously to eliminate Options 1, 2, and 4, narrowing the choice to Options 3 and 5. Option 3 was identical to 5 except it excluded the existing auditorium renovation.

Board member Leslie Bredl set the tone, arguing the district should complete the entire project at once rather than return later at higher cost. She noted Seneca Valley holds an AA1 credit rating, shared by only 20 of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. "The IHS building is deteriorating and the Board has been aware of this for some time," she said.

Susan Harrison provided specifics on the educational benefits: the project increases classroom count from 35 to 44, a 26 percent gain, while average classroom size grows from 760 to 932 square feet, a 54 percent increase. The number of biotechnology labs will rise from nine to twelve, with one current lab housed in a storage closet.

Jacobs, while agreeing the building needs attention, said any of the five options combined with operational spending would place too great a strain on the budget and lead to a deficit during the project. He thanked administration for their work but said he could not support any option at this time.

DiTullio countered that even with Option 5, the district will not have the highest debt-to-revenue ratio in Butler County. He pointed to the PSERS pension rate dropping 50 percent in 2035 as a future savings offset and noted at least 6,000 homes are planned to be built in the area before 2032, which will bring new revenue.

The board also appointed PNC Capital Markets as underwriter, PFM Financial Advisors as financial advisor, and Dinsmore & Shohl as bond counsel for the General Obligation Bonds that will finance the project. That motion passed unanimously.

The meeting drew 15 public speakers, most voicing support for the project. Topics ranged from the educational benefits of the renovation to advocacy for the Performing Arts Center, with speakers including students, parents, and community members.

In other business, IHS custodian Bob Buchanan received the November All-Star Award, presented by assistant principal Dan Guerra. Buchanan, a Gulf War veteran, was recognized for building relationships with students and bringing warmth to the building. A large group of students attended the meeting to show their support, which board member Jeff Widdowson called unprecedented.

The board recognized 26 choir students and 32 band students selected for PMEA District 5 honors ensembles, and five biotechnology students who presented at Penn State's Global Impact Forum on workforce readiness.

DiTullio closed the meeting by recognizing departing board members Widdowson, Bredl, and Peterson for their years of service. The board reorganization meeting is scheduled for December 4 at 5 p.m.