District Official to Authorize High School Renovation Costs up to $25K

When it comes to architectural and engineering services related to the $78 million Bensalem High School expansion and renovation project, costs up to $25,000 can be authorized without board approval. 

The Bensalem Township School Board voted on Tuesday to permit Kenneth Medina, the district's director of business operations, to make decisions regarding those services, provided the amounts are under $25,000.

After board member Kevin McKay questioned the "reporting procedure" for the potential authorizations, Medina said he intended to bring items to the facilities and business affairs committees "as soon as practical." From there, the entire board would be briefed, he said.

"I did try to communicate a list of those items to the board that may come up," Medina said. "Most of them are relatively small dollar items … but are crucial to the full movmenet of the high school renovation project."

Many, including site surveys, are expected to cost "much less" than $25,000, he said. 

Medina said he intended to communicate spending authorizations "probably weekly."

Board President Ralph Douglass, who participated in his last meeting Tuesday, said that waiting for board approval on each item that could potentially come up would delay the project "in a significant fashion."

"These are not costs over and above any of the plans," Douglass said, adding that  the Medina would be approving the "soft costs," which district officials have estimated to be about $15 million.