The Pleasant School Board accepted a bid for air quality testing for the Pleasant Valley High School as part of the capital improvement project.

At its meeting on Jan. 25, the school board accepted a bid of $16,255 from Element Environmental Solutions Inc. to do the air quality testing for asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), lead and mercury. They were one of three companies that submitted bids. The others were Criterion Laboratories at $27,360 and Whitestone Associates Inc. at $39,180.

D’Huy Engineering Inc., the general contractor for the district for the capital improvement project, recommended Element Environmental Solutions to the school board. The company stated in a memorandum to the board “that the fees provided by Element Environmental Solutions Inc. are very competitive with the rates we have seen on other recent projects completed for Asbestos, PCB & Lead Abatement Indoor Air Quality Testing.”

The building was built in three sections ranging in age from the main section with construction from 1959 to 1984, the J.C. Mills Wing in 1974, and the newest wing that includes the new auditorium and gymnasium from 1995 to 2004. Air quality testing is a routine part of a construction project.

Various ideas have been explored regarding the J.C. Mills Wing from investing $14 million in it and use it for staging to demolition. Director Norm Burger said at the school board’s meeting on Jan. 25, “Current concept is that, after the renovation, the unneeded portions would be mothballed and any decision on its use and/or disposition is being deferred.”

In Burger’s report on the capital improvement project, he said a request for geotechnical services is being prepared, the athletic areas are being reviewed, a meeting with Chestnuthill Township regarding land development requirements was held, the application for the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant was submitted, and the current drop-off and pickup traffic flow and quieting data has been collected.

The school board also approved the following contracts and expenditures:

• Spring athletic supplies - baseball: $3,490; softball: $2,737; girls lacrosse: $1,305; boys lacrosse: $1,622; boys tennis: $536;

• Colonial Intermediate Unit #20 - For one-on-one autistic support services for a student from Jan. 2 to the end of the school year. Total cost not to exceed $27,078.45;

• ABCya! - A one-year subscription of the School Access Edition for PVES at a total cost of $1,999;

• PowerSchool - Special programs for an additional student at a total cost of $2,325.09;

• PowerSchool - Performance Matters for an additional student at a total cost of $3,712.41.