Dear Parents, Students, and Staff:

I hope you have had a relaxing summer, full of fun activities with family and friends. As summer break is coming to an end, I wanted to provide you with an update on a number of projects we have been working on over the past four months.

In early May, we turned over the stadium to construction crews in order to begin installation of a new turf and track surface. The new turf has been installed and it prominently identifies the West Shore Stadium as the home of the Colts and Patriots (see related file below). The old lighting system, including the pesky light post at the 50-yard line, was removed, and Musco Lighting has completed the installation of a new four-pole lighting system. The final pieces of the stadium project continue to be completed as scheduled, and we look forward to opening the gates to the stadium on Monday, August 15 for the start of the PIAA fall sports season.

Following the end of the 2015-2016 school year, the District worked closely with McClure Company to conduct additional pressure tests on the natural gas lines serving Cedar Cliff High School. This testing included lines serving all the science classrooms and the stadium. As a result, all gas lines at Cedar Cliff High School have been systematically checked, pressure tested and, where necessary, remediated.

Another summer project involving McClure Company was a major update to the heating plant and HVAC system at Red Land High School. Until very recently, Red Land had been operating three oil-fired, hot water boilers. This antiquated heating system was original to the building and in need of replacement after the wear and tear it had accumulated following more than 50 central Pennsylvania winters. The replacement of the old boilers also provided the District with an opportunity to become more efficient and to reduce energy costs by switching to cleaner fuel sources.

Accompanying the new heating plant is a modernized control system, which should provide comfortable, regulated temperatures and humidity to historically troublesome spaces like the Red Land Library. The piping infrastructure was also replaced and in total more than two miles of new plumbing was installed. As we prepare for school opening, the District is hopeful that while the students, staff, and our guests from the community may not see the major changes at Red Land, they should feel the difference.

Finally, this summer we began a feasibility study to determine our future building needs. Stay tuned in the coming months, as we will provide updates on this process and opportunities for student, staff, parent, and community feedback.

We have accomplished a great deal this summer, and I look forward to once again seeing students and their families in our buildings and at events when classes resume on Wednesday, August 24.

Enjoy the last few days of summer vacation and best wishes for a successful school year!

Sincerely,

Todd B. Stoltz, Ed.D.

West Shore Stadium Design (pdf file - 633kb)

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