A proposed K-5 elementary center in Lehighton Area School District appears as if it will come in within budget based on bids opened Thursday afternoon.

The district received four bids for the general construction contract; eight for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning contract; nine for the plumbing contract; seven for the electrical contract and three for furniture.Low base bids came from Boyle Construction, general construction, $23.9 million; JBM Mechanical, HVAC, $3.897 million; Jay R. Reynolds, plumbing, $1,692,700; Philips Brothers, electrical, $3,974,200; and Phillips Office Solutions, furniture, $538,224.48.The bidding was close in several areas. Lobar Inc. was just $10,000 shy of the lowest base bid for general construction, and only $1,300 separated JBM Mechanical from Myco Mechanical for the plumbing contract.In addition to the base bids, which totaled just over $34 million, Lehighton asked for a number of alternates, such as different types of flooring, counter tops and windows. If chosen, some alternates could drop the price of the project, while others would add to it.District staff was quick to point out that just because a contractor had the lowest base bid, doesn't mean they would automatically get the job because of potential alternates.An Act 34 book, required by the state to move forward with securing partial state reimbursement for construction, listed the maximum project cost at $35 million. A 2014 feasibility by EI Associates estimated it at $32.5 million."We will review all the bids from today," Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver said following the opening. "There were several alternates offered in the bid documents that at initial review should allow us to keep the number around the $32.5 million area, as we referenced from the beginning of this process. We are excited about the opportunities in front of the district and entire Lehighton educational community, and taking another step forward in this long process."The two-story building would replace four existing elementary schools in the district. It would be set up with two main wings, one for the K-2 primary classrooms and another for the 3-5 elementary classrooms.William Schwab, district solicitor, said the school board has a workshop Monday night at which it could discuss the bids and alternates.Lehighton's regular board meeting is Aug. 22.