Board members Glen Hartz and Rodney Jones voted against the motion.

Members had been unsure what the next step would be after Gov. Tom Corbett proposed a one-year moratorium on funding reimbursement for any new building projects in March. The proposal could delay about $2 million in expected state funding for the Brecknock renovation.

But a failing and inefficient heating system created a sense of urgency for the project, Superintendent Robert Hollister said.

With the board's approval, the district will now receive funds to perform a project-justification study and commission schematic designs. The decision also authorizes business manager Keith Ramsey to submit the project to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The proposed project would replace an outdated heating and cooling system, upgrade technology components such as electrical and data systems and add four classrooms. 

Hartz, who works in commercial real estate, questioned whether the project "provides the best return" on district funds. He said the 58-year-old Brecknock facility, which had a minor addition in 1965 and a major renovation in 1991, is in "good shape" overall.  

"We have a 'B' building that we're improving to 'A,'" he said. "When we're talking about the future education of students, will a graduate at Garden Spot High School in 2018 say, 'the effect of (the Brecknock renovation) was good for my education?' I don't know if I can say that."

Hollister refuted Hartz's claim, telling board members that the project is "modest."

Hartz suggested trimming the project by more than one-third, spending $4 million on a new HVAC system and $1.5 million on technology upgrades.

"We've balanced spending, we've not overspent on the building and not under spent on technology," Hollister said. "You can't swap one out for the other."  

Jones questioned why the district would move forward on the Brecknock Elementary project before the board passes its 2012-13 budget.

A few days later, district officials discussed the budget at a special meeting April 24. 

Ramsey said the proposed 2012-13 final budget trims more than $63,000 off an estimated $839,319 deficit in the preliminary budget.

The nearly $44 million budget, which will be submitted to the board at the May 14 committee of the whole meeting, projects a tax hike of about 2.93 percent.

The Brecknock project calculates a net cost to taxpayers of $6 million —funded by a 12-year bond issue — and $3.1 million from Elanco's capital reserve fund.

"You can always back out (of the Brecknock renovation); there are no bids until the fall," Ramsey assured the board. "We'll know a lot more on June 30 when Corbett's budget becomes final."

So far, the district is only on the hook for architect fees of $150,000 for work already completed by

Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates, Ramsey said.

The firm submitted a preliminary schedule that anticipates project-design work ready next month, construction bid-proposals in October and possible construction beginning as early as January.

In other business:

• Hollister reported St. Joseph Health Ministries donated more than $12,000 of dental work to 13 students  by way of the Brush Brush Bus at Blue Ball Elementary.

• Caernarvon Township has formally requested permission from PennDOT to install its own school bus warning signs on Route 23. The board had requested help from Caernarvon officials after a succession of bus accidents in the area near Beartown Road.