Palmerton Area School Board discussed updates on various construction projects slated for district schools.

Timothy Sisock, a project manager at the engineering firm Barry Islett and Associates in Allentown, told the board that surveying and civil design work has begun.The $21 million renovation project includes air conditioning systems for the junior high and both elementary schools, the addition on the junior high school and the athletic field. KCBA Architects in Hatfield have the footprint and survey data for the junior high expansion, Sisock said. They will be working internally on the design phase.School board member Darlene Yeakel asked Sisock if there would be any changes to the bathroom setup with the new addition.He said that the current bathrooms on the first floor would be updated in order to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A new set of bathrooms will be incorporated in the new addition.Sisock also reported that soil drillings have been conducted and they went more smoothly than expected."We thought we would hit a lot of rock," he said. They didn't.Sisock said that if they had hit a great deal of rock, then it would have to be removed before construction. This could add costs to the project."The less rock removal, the less cost," he said.During public comment, there was a question concerning the location of the addition, because iron ore mines are in that vicinity and have had subsidence. Sisock said the addition will stretch to the east of the junior high school."We did some soil borings and they didn't show any subsidence," Sisock said.He said the grass of the athletic field will be removed and synthetic turf will be installed. It will be lined for multi-use including football, soccer and field hockey. In addition to the field, the gravel track will be replaced with a synthetic surface used in newer track construction.The timeline for construction and completion of the projects has not been set, but Sisock anticipates it may be during the 2017-2018 school year. Sisock said the project would be timed so that it has minimal effect on the sports seasons.In other business:• The school board accepted the donation of $1,700 from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church from community festival profits. The money will be placed in the band activity fund.• The board also accepted the donation of about $500 from the Junior High Student Council Activity Fund to the General Fund for the purchase of a display case.• Superintendent Scot Engler told the board that student members of the Aevidum Club from Nazareth Area High School met with students from Palmerton High School at a recent seminar. Aevidum translates into "I've got your back."The program promotes positive mental health environments for everyone so they feel accepted and appreciated, Engler said. He considered the presentation to be "remarkable." Palmerton students plan to adopt the program.