Senator Santarsiero, Reps Announce $3.3 Million for Lower Bucks School Projects
BUCKS COUNTY − Octubre 22, 2024 − Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) along with Representatives Tina Davis (D-140) and Jim Prokopiak (D-141) announced today $3,300,000 in state funds for three school improvement projects in the 10th Senate District.
Administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program provides funding to public school districts and area career and technical schools for facility improvement projects. The funding awards in the 10th Senate District are:
- Bristol Borough School District: $937,500 for Junior/Senior High School boiler replacement project
- Bucks County Technical High School: $617,500 for annex building classroom renovation project
- Morrisville Borough School District: $1,745,000 for Grandview Elementary School and Middle/High School roof replacement project
“Investments in our school facilities are investments in our students and teachers,” said Senator Santarsiero. “Each of these awards will make necessary facility improvements to ensure our students are learning in a productive and conducive setting.”
The funding for Bristol Borough will replace three boilers at the Junior/Senior High School. The existing hydronic boiler systems have exceeded their service life and have experienced various failures over the years. Two of the existing boilers are original to the building, and one of them has had to be shut down permanently, due to disrepair, which has significantly limited the capability and reliability of the heating systems.
Sen. Santarsiero continued, “Reliable heating is critical to ensuring our students can learn in a safe, warm, and comfortable environment. As our school buildings show their age, investments like this are crucial to extending the life of these facilities.”
The multi-phase project at Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol Township will replace the roof, upgrade boilers, and install a new HVAC and fire alarm system at the 60-year-old building. The proposed project will expand the physical capacity of the technical school to better serve the community’s educational needs. The project will consist of upgrading the Annex Building on the campus to house two additional technical programs.
“I’m pleased to support this investment in the tech school, where interest in the school exceeds the building’s capacity,” said Senator Santarsiero. “The renovation of the annex building will grow the school’s ability to support two additional programs, better serving the students.”
“Improving school facilities is a vital step toward ensuring every student has access to a nurturing and innovative learning space,” said Rep. Davis, who represents both Bristol Borough and Township. “By funding these projects, we invest in the potential of our youth and lay the groundwork for a brighter tomorrow.”
Morrisville Borough School District will use its funding to replace the roofs at Grandview Elementary School and Morrisville Middle/High School. Both buildings, averaging 65 years of age, sustained substantial damage during a severe hailstorm in Abril 2023, necessitating the replacement of the roofs.
“Not only will this investment in Morrisville Borough make necessary improvements following a severe storm, but it will also improve the health and safety of students by preventing future water infiltration that can cause mold growth and water damage,” noted Sen. Santarsiero.
Representative Prokopiak, whose district includes Morrisville Borough said, “As a former school board member, I have seen firsthand that funding school facility improvement projects is essential for creating safe, inspiring, and conducive learning environments. These investments not only enhance educational outcomes but also demonstrate our commitment to the future of our children and communities.”
Additional information about the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program can be found on the DCED website.
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