Palmyra approves Pine Street HVAC work after receiving additional information

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The Palmyra school board approved a $2,134,361 proposal at its Feb. 26 meeting for SiteLogIQ to redo Pine Street Elementary School’s HVAC system during the summer of 2026.

The vote was 8-1, with Dave Laudermilch voting against the motion. Before the vote, he said he preferred to go with G.R. Sponaugle.

Its decision comes after it postponed the motion at the first February meeting in a 6-2 vote, with board members Larry Geib and Sue Gilligan voting against it.

Later, an HVAC unit failed in the school and was repaired, but an odor caused the district to move the students and teacher to another classroom out of an abundance of caution while it waited for the results of air quality testing.

Board president Jill Martin said the class is set to move back to its original room on March 2 after testing showed the air quality is better than the outdoors.

At the Feb. 12 board meeting, only Sponaugle of the three proposals included an agreed-upon deadline and daily financial penalties to ensure the project was completed before the start of the new school year. The company said they needed the agreement at the last meeting to put the district on the schedule, and so it could order the required equipment.

In the updated agreements provided to the board on Feb. 26, both Sponaugle and SiteLogIQ agreed to an Aug. 15 deadline. SitelogIQ also, according to the board and administration, said they would be a grant-writer for the district and waive its typical 4% charge if it’s given a contract with the district.

Board member Corey Andrew said it would be beneficial to the district to start forming a relationship with this company.

“One of the things that happens in rebuilds is there’s issues after the act, and if we’re continuing on with SiteLogIQ in other areas, Northside [Elementary School] potentially, other areas like that as well as the grant writing, we are partnering with that company in a way that’s a little bit above and beyond what your normal relationships might be,” he said. “From the building and maintenance perspective, starting the relationship with a company that we see a future with, and then we see us potentially using further needs in the district, makes a lot of sense and would also keep them attentive to our needs.”

Martin said that the district taking an extra two weeks to get more information saved them about $23,000 of taxpayer money. The cheapest bid presented at the last meeting, she said, was $23,000 more expensive than the cheapest updated bid.

Martin provided the school board with a breakdown of the differences in each bid so they could compare.

“Just want to make sure the media that’s still here understands that, that because we did that due diligence and waited those two weeks, that we’re still working with contractors that will finish in time before school starts, and we save a significant amount of money,” she said.

Before the meeting, Martin said there were half-truths and inaccuracies shared online and through news articles, though she did not publicly share specifics.

Many teachers from Pine Street Elementary attended the meeting, and one — Nicole Harner — spoke up during the public comment period on behalf of her colleagues. She said they were there to address a statement at the last board meeting that teachers don’t want to work at Pine.

“Our dedicated colleagues who work alongside each other every day can confidently say that this statement does not reflect the reality of our staff,” Harner said. “The teachers and staff at Pine care deeply about our students and our school community. We choose to be there because we believe in the work we do and the difference we make.”

She said the school is full of people who “go above and beyond” for students, and the statement that teachers don’t want to work there “overlooks the passion and dedication” in the building.

The end of her comment brought a standing ovation from the staff members in the audience.

Martin thanked the group for coming out and said she hated to think anyone was questioning their dedication.

“We really see your commitment, and we value that, and that’s why we’re making Pine and all the improvements there such a priority for us,” Martin said.

In other business, the school board:

• Recognized Future Business Leaders of America students who competed in a regional FBLA Business Competition in December. All participants placed and qualified for the state competition in April.
• Recognized the Palmyra Area High School’s MiniTHON leadership, who brought the fundraising event back to the school after interest dwindled in previous years.
• Recognized two seniors who completed the Healthcare Career Exploration Program this year. Due to their success, the district will be given four spots in the program next year rather than just two.
• Approved a professional services agreement for PIMS Support with the Lancaster/Lebanon IU13.
• Voted for the administration to proceed with work necessary for the summer 2026 capital maintenance projects. The prices listed for the various projects throughout the district add up to $301,500.
• Heard a report about the salary and benefits area of the budget, which makes up the largest percentage of expenses at 68.5%. The 2026-27 budget includes three new proposed positions — one autistic support teacher and two autistic support paraprofessionals. The final personnel budget is scheduled to be presented to the board on April 9.
• Heard from a resident during public comment, who shared her child has reported overcrowding on the buses, with three to four elementary students sharing one seat, and some kids sitting in the aisle. District staff said they would look into it.

The Palmyra school board will meet next at Lingle Avenue Elementary School on March 12 at 6 p.m. Meetings can also be attended via Zoom.