By TERRY AHNER

tahner@tnonline.comAn expansion of its junior high school, complete with its own cafeteria and kitchen, a multipurpose turf field, and air-conditioned classrooms.Those are essentially the crown jewels of a conceptual rendering that's been pitched to the Palmerton Area School District as part of a potential $21 million districtwide renovation project.While no decision has been reached, such a scenario is one the district has to consider for a variety of reasons.For starters, the $13 million junior high school expansion would create a cafeteria solely for the junior high.That would work wonders for not only the students, but faculty at both the junior high and senior high schools as well.Currently, the district runs grades seven through 12 lunches in its high school cafeteria, as the junior high does not have its own cafeteria.However, such a configuration limits the district's options from a scheduling standpoint, according to high school Principal Paula Husar.Another constraint with the current setup is making sure all the students are fed, Husar said.Other perks associated with the possible junior high school expansion would be the creation of a media center and television studio, new computer space and a series of offices.For student athletes, the renovation project would create a state-of-the-art multipurpose turf field to the tune of $2.4 million.The multipurpose field would be located at the current football field and track site at the high school stadium.As part of that, bleachers would have to be added, and stormwater issues would have to be addressed.Heating, ventilation and air conditioning, as well as safety and security improvements districtwide, would round out the project.It should be noted that even if the district decides to eventually approve the project, construction wouldn't take shape for about two years.The district's tax base has been taken into account, as Superintendent Scot Engler has pointed out on multiple occasions.In anticipation of the project, the school board in November approved the transfer of $3 million from the district's general fund to its capital reserve fund.Based on the input from the district's capital adviser, Engler said the district could recognize savings by refinancing its 2010 A bond.Engler has said the financial goal is for the district to maintain its current debt service, or possibly reduce it.The list of improvements were conceived through input from the community, faculty, administration, board and the students.That being said, such a decision is never easy to make, especially when so much money is involved.On the surface, the concept would appear to be a godsend for those who would reap the rewards if such a project were to go through.To taxpayers who may be more inclined to think with their wallets instead of their hearts, perhaps not so much.