Who's designing what and at whose request

WESTFALL — The renovation or replacement of the Delaware Valley Elementary School building remains a contentious issue for the school board. Three new renderings appeared at a recent meeting of the board’s long-range planning committee, prompting board member Sue Casey to question committee Chair John Kupillas and board Chair Bob Goldsack. “Who authorized these without board approval?” she asked. Kupillas said the prior board authorized design drawings for possible new construction. “No, not for a design on this campus,” she replied, asking further about particulars including a science lab, which Goldsack had detailed (Courier, April 25) in an interview. “They had to be directed by someone,” she said. Goldsack said the architect volunteered the idea of the drawings during an impromptu discussion with administrators that Goldsack and Kupillas had sat in upon. “I shouldn’t be reading about this in the newspaper when it’s never been part of a conversation here,” Casey responded and questioned the cost. Business Manager Bill Hessling said billing for work like this is traditionally not billed separately, but as part of fees in a larger project. Casey and Goldsack reached no agreement about the process. “You’re mistaken. Get it right, she said. “I think we have got it right,” Goldsack replied. In other business, the board approved a $67,211,593 2008-09 budget for the district. The new budget, which requires no tax increase, will be available for public review until the final vote at the board’s June 19 meeting.