The Palmerton Area School District is slightly fast-tracking a several million dollar S.S. Palmer Elementary renovation project, aiming to put it out for bid in December, one month ahead of the initially projected timeline. The decision to expedite the project has been driven by concerns over lead times for crucial items and the desire to ensure completion next summer.

Superintendent Dr. Jodi Frankelli revealed the revised timeline during a workshop Tuesday night, emphasizing the critical role played by the project’s architectural firm, Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates.

“The architects are strongly recommending we move forward in December,” Frankelli said. “They believe that waiting until January to initiate the bidding process could jeopardize the project’s schedule and push us off another summer.”

Crabtree officials are set to present the updated project plan during Palmerton’s Nov. 8 board workshop. Directors, including those scheduled to join the board in December, have been invited to tour S.S. Palmer Elementary later in that month to gain firsthand insight into the renovation’s scope.

“At my first board meeting I was asked to vote on something serious with no time for reflection,” director Audrey Larvey said. “I understand the need to move ahead, but we need to give these new board members as much information and time as possible for them to be able to process things.”

The revised project plan largely mirrors the one crafted in 2020, with minor adjustments such as the transformation of proposed office space into a dedicated reading specialist area. However, one significant change on the horizon is the projected cost. Originally estimated at $1.8 million in 2020, Frankelli disclosed that Jeff Straub from Crabtree anticipates an escalation of approximately 30% in project costs.

“Jeff was pretty confident the increase is going to be right around there,” she said.

To finance the endeavor, the district plans to tap into its capital reserve account, which currently holds $2.2 million.

The renewed focus on the S.S. Palmer Elementary renovation project comes after a pandemic-induced hiatus in February 2020. At that time, the district was in the final stages of designing the renovation that promised to transform the school’s front entrance and bolster security measures.

A primary feature of the Palmer project involves relocating the school’s office suite to the first floor, eliminating the large existing staircase that currently greets visitors upon entering the building.

Proposed architectural drawings depicted a secure vestibule at the school’s entrance, with the main office situated to the left and a dedicated security office to the right. Additionally, plans include the addition of a handicap-accessible ramp leading to the front entrance, enhancing accessibility for all members of the school community.

The school is also set to undergo roof repairs after the board accepted an $11,800 proposal from NT Associates Inc. last month to address persistent leaks.

District officials said more comprehensive roof repairs may be rolled into the renovation project.