BELLEFONTE — During a special meeting on Thursday evening, the Bellefonte Area School Board enlisted the services of Jessica Quinn-Horgan, Esquire, to support the construction of the district’s new elementary school.

Rather than relying solely on the district’s solicitor, who specializes in education law, the board voted 6-0 to retain an attorney with expertise in construction law to address any legal matters that arise related to the long-anticipated K-5 elementary school project.

Construction projects often face challenges related to time, materials, scope of work and more, noted Board President Jon Guizar.

“We believe it is in the best interest of the district and our taxpayers to be proactive and address matters that may arise. This assures minimal impact to schedule, cost and quality of work,” Guizar said.

The Pittsburgh-based Law Offices of Jessica Quinn-Horgan is a boutique firm specializing in corporate and personal litigation, with a focus on legal matters in the construction industry.

The firm has extensive experience working with various clients, including school districts, in construction litigation, including contract preparation and negotiation, bid protests, delay claims, unforeseen site conditions, non-payment claims, inefficiency claims, defect claims, bond claims, scheduling disputes, workers’ compensation, OSHA defense, personal injury and fatality cases, and procurement law disputes involving state entities, counties and municipalities.

According to the firm’s engagement letter, Quinn-Horgan’s legal services are billed at an hourly rate of $350. While she will personally oversee the district’s representation, she may utilize paralegal services billed at rates ranging from $200 to $250 per hour.

Construction of the 98,000-square-foot educational facility along Airport Road in Bellefonte is slated for completion in the spring of 2026.

The school will be the first new elementary building in the district since 1961. The overall budget for the project, which encompasses engineering, permits and project management costs, is $55.3 million.