Palmerton Area School District has taken the next step in its vision for its long-range facilities plan.

The school board, on an 8-0 vote on Tuesday, approved the transfer of $3 million from the district's general fund to its capital reserve fund. Director Darlene Yeakel was absent.That action comes after Superintendent Scot Engler reviewed the facilities and future district plans with school directors at a board workshop session held earlier this month.At that time, he said the list of improvements were conceived through input from the community, faculty, administration, school board and the students.Among the improvements is a districtwide heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.To that end, the board on Tuesday approved the HVAC study to be conducted by Barry Isett & Associates, at a cost of $7,400.Engler said the money for the study would come out of the district director of facilities budget.Based on the input from the district's capital adviser, Engler noted earlier this month that interest rates are at point where the district could recognize savings by refinancing its 2010 A bond.Last month, Director Susan Debski said she would like to see the district revisit her prior request for a five-year plan.Engler said at that time the district had planned to put together a long-range financial plan, along with a long-range facilities plan.Debski also brought the matter before the board in August, at which time she said the district may eventually have to look at redistricting.In other business, the board:• Agreed to submit the final draft of the district's comprehensive plan to the Pennsylvania Department of Education before Nov. 30.• Approved the following designations in accordance with fund balance policy #620 as of July 1, 2014: Committed fund balance, $4,581,116 (purposes: future transportation/educational costs; special education increases; retirement increases; PPACA mandates; compensated absences; charter school enrollment increases; Career & Technical enrollment increases); and assigned fund balance, $671,389 (to balance 2014-15 budget and for tax appeals).