STATE COLLEGE — State College Area School District Board of Directors on Monday, Oct. 27 approved a construction management contractor for the new Park Forest Middle School project.
The board voted unanimously to hire Massaro Construction Management Services of Pittsburgh to oversee the proposed building project.
Massaro submitted a bid of $1,881,600, the lowest of three bids the district received. The company previously worked with SCASD on the State High construction and the last three elementary school projects.
Last month, the board approved 90% design documents for the proposed new school building, meaning only minor adjustments to the floor plan are expected before final approval and the project goes out to bid.
Also at the meeting, the board approved a resolution urging the Pennsylvania general assembly to end the state budget impasse. The board noted that the impasse has now stretched to more than 100 days and that more than $3 billion in education funding statewide is due, forcing some school districts in the state to borrow funds, deplete reserves, or consider cutting programs.
“While we are fortunate that the majority of our revenue we are in control of and can predict, others in the state are not so fortunate,” said Amy Bader, board president. “So this resolution is hopefully all of us banding together and issuing a plea to the legislature.”
The board also received an update on the Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) project.
Earlier this month, the Centre County Solar Group, composed of the 10 local agencies that joined the PPA, held a public meeting with the developer and utility distributor on the project.
The board heard updates on the timeline for the project and regulatory changes that may impact the project. Construction is expected to start in January 2026 with completion by October 2026.
In other business, the board approved:
- An agreement with Solution Tree to provide professional development service during a future in-service day.
- An agreement with Hollins-Sims Consultation to provide professional development throughout the school year, including on the in-service day scheduled for Jan. 19, 2026 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- Transferring $11.1 million from the general fund into capital reserve funds, including $9 million surplus from the 2024-25 budget.
