BELLEFONTE — At its meeting this week, the Bellefonte Area School District Board of Directors reviewed the latest draft of its Five-Year Facilities Plan, which outlines building maintenance and infrastructure priorities through 2030.

The plan, developed by the district’s Director of Facilities in coordination with the Superintendent and Director of Fiscal Affairs, is designed to guide annual investments and long-term planning for district properties. Superintendent Roy Raszawski noted the document is still in development and that “the team will need a couple of weeks to put some details in place.”

Projects outlined in the plan are primarily maintenance-related and do not include comprehensive building renovations or major program upgrades, such as those involved in the construction of the new Bellefonte Elementary School. More invasive work–like full piping system replacements–has been excluded from the plan due to the complexity of completing such projects independently of larger renovations.

The maintenance included in the plan is intended to extend the lifespan of the district’s existing buildings. However, district officials acknowledged that each facility will eventually require either a full renovation or replacement.

A major component of the Facilities Plan yet to be finalized is the schedule for roof replacements across several district buildings.

The Facilities Committee is assessing the condition and remaining lifespan of each roof. While some are still covered under warranty, others have expired warranties but may not yet require replacement. At Marion-Walker Elementary School, for instance, the back half of the roof is out of warranty, whereas the front half remains protected.

“Typically, the board sets aside, per board policy, a half percent towards the smaller projects,” said Board President Kent Bernier, “(however,) we have to find another way to fund the roof projects because otherwise they’ll take up all the money we’re putting aside currently.”

“We are going to be asking for a higher minimum at some point,” Bernier added, “but we have to be careful because we also have to find ways to fund the roof projects.”

Another portion of the plan still being finalized involves athletic facility upgrades the board hopes to undertake.

The Facilities Committee will be reviewing a previous study by K&W Engineers to help guide planning for the district’s athletic needs. Those details are expected to be added to the Facilities Plan alongside the finalized roofing schedule after the next Facilities Committee meeting.

“If you look at the initial first two years, there’s not a lot on there for buildings, and we are thinking maybe we can mesh in some of those athletic projects into those early years,” said Guizar. “As the saying goes, you’ll never do it cheaper than you can today.”

Director of Fiscal Affairs Ken Bean said project prioritization is based primarily on need and safety. Cost considerations, he indicated, will be addressed as they emerge.

According to board policy, a minimum of 0.5% of General Fund budget expenditures should be reserved annually for capital projects. The Facilities Plan suggests the board invest as much as 2 percent annually, but board members emphasized that the appropriate amount should be reviewed during each year’s budgeting process.

This year, the board set aside approximately $1 million to the fund.

By year, the Facilities Plan outlines the following projects through 2030:

2025-2026

— An estimated $498,000 is allocated for architectural and grounds maintenance at Marion-Walker Elementary School. This includes $120,000 for fire-rated doors and a kitchen exit and $378,000 for asphalt replacement.

2026-2027

— Approximately $495,228 is planned for renovations at Bellefonte Area Middle School, including asbestos abatement and ceiling tile replacement, in select areas, and sealing/restriping of parking lots.

— An additional $13,230 is allocated for limited grass field improvements at Bellefonte Area High School.

2027-2028

— Pleasant Gap Elementary is slated for site and main entry modifications ($94,772) and sidewalk replacement ($57,892).

— Marion-Walker Elementary is scheduled to receive $27,562 in ADA accessibility upgrades.

2028-2029

— At Pleasant Gap Elementary, planned work includes ADA accessibility upgrades, removal of inoperable security gates, installation of a lockdown notification system, replacement of dock railings and paving improvements, totaling an estimated $769,413.

2029-2030

— Pleasant Gap Elementary is scheduled for a range of upgrades in select areas, including abatement of VCT flooring, modification of recessed doors, classroom and corridor flooring replacement, installation of fire-rated doors and frames, kitchen fire-rating improvements, door contacts, window replacements, and electrical panel upgrades.

— At Marion-Walker Elementary, planned work includes lighting and control system replacement, technology upgrades, and mechanical upgrades as needed. The estimated total for both schools is $1,847,164.