The Panther Valley School Board on Wednesday applied for up to $5 million in grant funds for upgrades for its aging elementary school in Nesquehoning.

The district, which last month engaged a consultant to apply for the Public School Facility Improvement Grant, needs the funding to address critical infrastructure upgrades at school, Superintendent Dave McAndrew said before the meeting.

“The proposed project will replace the aging roof and boiler system and update the electrical switchgear to ensure a safe, reliable and energy-efficient learning environment for our students and staff,” he said.

They are long-standing and essential improvements needed to protect the district’s investment in its schools, McAndrew said.

“We are respectfully requesting the support of our local legislators to strengthen our grant application and help secure the funding necessary to complete these important upgrades,” he said.

The school facility grants through the state Department of Community and Economic Development and the Commonwealth Financing Authority are matching grants.

The district would need to come up with 25% of any project funded by the state, McAndrew said. If Panther Valley were to receive $4 million in a grant, the district would have to come up with $1 million, he said.

The district secured school facility grants last year to fund repairs and improvements at the high school and intermediate school.

The board did not discuss the grant during its meeting.