Blue Mountain school board moves on new building financing

Feb. 27—ORWIGSBURG — The Blue Mountain school board met Thursday and heard an update on Elementary West construction financing plans.

The board voted to approve a resolution for parameters of refinancing plans presented by Philadelphia-based PFM Financial Advisors LLC to acquire new funds for construction of the new building.

PFM has been working with the district to restructure its existing debt to allow $26 million for the project.

The district plans to use capitalized interest to borrow extra money to offset interest payments.

Zach Willard, PFM director, noted that after updating the interest rates, the district's projected total debt has decreased from a previous report of about $72 million to $68,773,593 in the latest report.

However, Willard said rates could go back up, so the total may change.

Blue Mountain Elementary West was closed before the 2019-20 school year began due to water damage.

Grades K-2 were sent to the former St. Ambrose School in Schuylkill Haven, which the district is leasing, and grades 3-5 were moved to the elementary school in Cressona.

In other business Thursday, the board also voted to approve an affiliation agreement between the district and Wilson College in Chambersburg, Franklin County, to provide classroom experience for student teachers.

Wilson students studying education, who are required by law to have student teaching experience, will be assigned to Blue Mountain classrooms under a site supervisor or cooperating teacher.

In a public comment, Roseanne Zelusky, of Orwigsburg, said that, as a parent, she feels the district has done a good job operating during the pandemic.

Zelusky said the higher failing rates reported at last week's district meeting were concerning, but she appreciates that the district has allowed students to be in school in person.

"Education has to go on for our children," Zelusky said. "I do believe you made the right decision and, as a parent, I do want to thank you for that."