The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District administration is proposing a $14.4 million expense over the next three years as part of its Long Range Facilities Plan. That comes to $4.8 million per year and represents a 2 percent increase of current replacement, according to a presentation made during the Nov. 8 U-CF School Board work session.

Director of Facilities James Whitesel gave the presentation to school board members, saying “there’s a level of comfort with the current scope of the identified project,” but wanted the opportunity to address any questions the board might have.

The plan had already been approved but the board gets to vote on how the individual projects are funded, he said. “Once firm costs of the individual projects are identified…we then bring those costs to the board.”

But more than costs are a factor. In response to a question from one board member, Whitesel acknowledged the current supply chain problems could have a bearing on what happens next year, the first year of the proposed three-year list of projects.

“That’s something I monitor monthly. There are continued supply chain issues and they’re projected to carry through. One of the things we’re going to do to try to combat that is getting these projects out to bid quickly and bringing them forward here in the early winter period so we can try to combat those delay issues,” Whitesel said. He specifically mentioned roofing material and insulation being six months behind.

The plan calls for upgrading temperature control systems, floor replacement, and adding a parking lot at the high school, as well as improving the baseball field. That would cost more than $500,000 in 2022. Other planned improvements at UHS are projected to cost $2.2 million in 2023, and $2.6 million in 2024.

Roof and floor replacements and other projects at CF Patton Middle School are expected to cost almost $3 million during the three years.

For the elementary schools, $1 million is projected on work at Pocopson, $1.3 million at Hillendale, 1.4 million at Chadds Ford, and $550,000 at Unionville. Another $340,000 is proposed for work at other district buildings and $1.3 million on other district-wide projects.

A complete list of projects and costs may be found here.