The Panther Valley School Board on Wednesday applied for $23 million in grants toward a new elementary school.

A feasibility study this year recommended the district replace its aging elementary school with a kindergarten to fifth grade building, relocate its seventh and eighth grades to the intermediate school and upgrade its high school.

The building project and associated upgrades to the facilities are dependent on the district securing grants as well as an increase in state funding, the district’s business manager Jess Walck said this week.

The first grant for $20 million is through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change grant program.

The school building project is dependent upon this grant with the balance being funded by other grants, rebates and a U.S. Community Facilities Direct Loan that the district is seeking, Walck said.

Walck noted earlier this week that the district needs all the funding sources to come through to make this need project happen, as the district cannot put any further burden on taxpayers.

Another grant application approved was a $2 million COVID-19 ARPA Capital Projects Fund Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program grant, which would be for the design of the new school.

The final grant approved was a U.S. Department of Agriculture Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant in the amount of $1 million. This grant would be used for wiring of internet, WIFI and related devices for the new elementary, and requires a 15% match.

All of these grants are due by May 1, Walck said.

“We’re really buckling down, trying to get them done as quick as possible,” he said.

The district will be applying for additional grants and funding for the proposed elementary school and facilities upgrades moving forward, he said this week. The new building and upgrades carry a price tag of more than $67 million, according to estimates.

Reorganization

The school board reorganized Wednesday night. Daniel Matika retained his seat as board president, and Shawn Hoben was selected as vice president, replacing Marco D’Ancona.

The board did not have any discussion on the mid-stream reorganization. Matika and David McAndrew Jr., district superintendent, both had no comment.