CLSD board approves payments, change orders for Cedar Crest campus projects

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

At a monthly voting session Monday, Feb. 10, the Cornwall-Lebanon school board unanimously approved several change orders and payments for the Cedar Crest High School Renovations Project.

The district is in the middle of several large projects meant to accommodate a growing student population. Construction on the Falcon connector, which connects Cedar Crest high and middle schools, wrapped up in September, providing flex space as renovations are underway at the high school.

Phase two of renovations, improvements to the high school, will be followed by renovations to the middle school. Expected timelines are as follows:

• Cedar Crest High School: May 2025 – May 2028
• Stadium: May 2025 – August 2026
• Road: March 2027 – August 2028, set to bid September or October of 2026
• Cedar Crest Middle School: May 2028 – May 2031

High school renovations include three additions, totaling 8,306 square feet, 2,254 square feet, and 2,116 square feet respectively. These additions are planned to primarily be used for classrooms.

Benefits of the campus renovations, listed by superintendent Dr. Philip Domencic during the board’s work session Feb. 2, include road access to Lincoln Avenue, improved emergency access and another traffic entrance/exit for high use periods, improved maintenance facilities, increased hours for athletic programs, and improved stormwater management.

Several change orders were also approved for the Earl Boltz Stadium Facility Improvements Project, which includes improvements to light and sound, and expansion/replacement of bleachers, and ADA-related improvements. Some current stadium elements date back to its construction in 1964.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the high school and stadium improvements were held in last May.

“Last week at our work session, we had some discussion about campus site improvements, and a lot of information about things that are going to take place there,” Domencic said in an address to students and parents during the first half of the meeting, when students are honored for their accomplishments. “My apologies to our athletes who are graduating who will not have an experience of this, but we hope that you will come back and see the site improvements that we’ll have for our facilities in the future.”

The board unanimously took the following actions regarding renovations:

• Approved renovation change orders for the Cedar Crest High School Renovations Project for contractors Lobar Inc. ($17,897.46 for double railings at steps, $945.64 for security film for classroom display case, $1,937.35 for masonry infills covering old sink connections, and $5,322.88 for additional masonry in vestibule), Jay R. Reynolds Inc. ($5,020 for mixing valve at eyewash stations), and 11400 Inc. ($48,131.50 for equipment change, food service).
• Approved renovation change orders for the Early Boltz Stadium Facility Improvements Project for contractors NCI Inc. ($2,404.50, drywall access panel, and $34,488.8, paving behind bleachers and remove/replace fieldhouse logo) and Myco Mechanical ($12,896.24, shower for coach’s office).
• Approved a contract with Siemens Industry Inc. to replace Cornwall Elementary School’s fire alarm system for $67,695 from the Capital Reserve Fund. The current system is over 20 years and is considered obsolete.
• Approved payment of campus renovations bills totaling $5,707,545.65.
• Approved Capital Reserve Fund bills totaling $429,869.89.

During the first 40 minutes of the meeting, the board honored students for achievements as follows:

• Samantha Fink and Carter Winey, Cedar Crest High School Students of the Month, and Amber Hewitt, Lebanon County Career and Technology Center Student of the Month.
• Madelyn Edwards, Avery Lechleitner, Rileigh Lightner, and Mikalyn Weaber, All State Field Hockey. Weaber was also recognized for her selection on the second all-star team as goalie.
• Benjamin Root, selection for the PA Office of Attorney General’s Drug-Free Calendar contest winner.
• Fifth Avenue Falcons, South Lebanon Elementary School audition chorus, members for their selection to perform at PMEA’s annual event in 2026.
• Piper O’Hara, South Lebanon Elementary School Student of the Year.
• Greta Leid, Union Canal Elementary School Student of the Year.

In other news, the board:

• Unanimously approved finance items including the bidding of athletic equipment and supplies for 2026-27, the Healthcare Fund Operating Statement for July 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025, and a three-year contract with Lancaster General Medical Group effective Sept. 1, 2026.
• Unanimously approved IntegraOne bills of $65,572.33 and $120,375.01 for the IT solutions provider.
• Unanimously approved several revised policies to be placed on review for the board’s March. 16 meeting.
• Unanimously approved a K-12 Guidance Plan and credit reimbursements totaling $46,528.74 for staff development.
• Unanimously approved overnight field trips for several CCHS students.
• Unanimously approved numerous personnel items, including resignations, changes in employment status, and hires.
• Approved the use of April 7, 2026, as a snow makeup day for the Jan. 26 school closure.
• Approved the 2026-27 school calendar, with Joel Zug opposed.
• Unanimously approved minutes, reports and bills.

The Cornwall-Lebanon school board holds a workshop on the first Monday of the month and a voting session on the second Monday at 5:30 p.m. While renovations are underway, meetings take place at South Lebanon Elementary School and are open to the public.