SCOTT TWP. - A $6.4 million renovation project, approved at a special meeting Tuesday, will push the Lakeland School District beyond the amount of debt it can handle.
The high school renovation project, in addition to the $3.5 million roof and mechanical project approved in June, will bring the district's debt to $9.9 million. According to Superintendent Margaret Billings-Jones, Ed.D., the district can support only $8 million for the projects.
Alterations to the project, which includes only "absolutely necessary" renovations to the high school building. according to board member Stanley Stracham, will be discussed in the coming months.
"There are absolute needs that won't be able to be done," he said, adding that the board will look closely at budgets. "I hope we can find the money someplace."
The high school renovation project needed to be approved so it can be submitted to the Department of Education to be considered for reimbursement, board President Mary Retzbach said. But it can change.
"We can always adjust it," Mr. Stracham said.
In other business, the board approved resolutions to support the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County in its legal battle with the Riverside School District as well as agreeing to an increased contribution to the CTC renovation project if Riverside does withdraw.
Board members Mr. Stracham and Casey Patuk voted against the increase, citing needs in Lakeland for the additional money.
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