STATE COLLEGE — State College Area School Board of Directors on Monday approved the 90% design documents for the new Park Forest Middle School building project.
At the 90% stage of a project, building plans are nearly complete, with only minor revisions expected before final approval and going out to bid.
The board previously reviewed the plans at its Sept. 8 meeting. Since then, the design team, composed of district administrators and engineers with Crabtree Rohrbaugh Associates, met with teacher coordinators and building administration for additional reviews.
The plans were also presented publicly during a Districtwide Facilities Master Plan community forum on Sept. 25 at Park Forest Middle School.
District administrators said the floor plan has been primarily solidified after making a few minor changes based on the latest reviews with staff.
Also at the meeting, the board accepted a $150,000 gift intended to pay for the purchase and installation of a scoreboard for the State High north building gymnasium. Larry Beans, a State High graduate, pledged the gift through the SCASD Education Foundation.
“We are very grateful to Mr. Beans for this gift and for his continued support of the district’s athletics program,” said Randy Brown, finance and operations officer. “His support means a great deal to our student-athletes, coaches, and the community.”
Beans previously made $1 million in contributions for the Memorial Field renovation project and for a new scoreboard for that facility.
The board also approved the use of a new online benefit enrollment and management system called Streamlink for an amount not to exceed $39,000 for 2025-26. The system will be managed by Conrad Siegel, which has provided actuarial and healthcare consulting services to the district for more than two decades.
The new system is meant to modernize the current benefit enrollment process, providing an online tool for annual open enrollment as well as for new and current employees with life event changes throughout the year.
The Streamlink service is expected to connect electronically with the district’s benefit providers and its HR/payroll system.
In other business, the Board approved:
- A low bid to expand the wrestling room at the State High north building into a space that is currently being used for storage. The district has a commitment for a donation that would cover the costs of designs and renovations. The gift commitment will be accepted by the board at the next meeting.
- An Affiliation Agreement with the Penn State University Department of Human Development and Family Studies to establish a partnership to provide master’s-level student field experience for the 2025-26 school year.
- An agreement with the University Area Joint Authority to extend sewer services for the proposed new Park Forest Middle School.
