SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — The Slippery Rock Area School District board of directors discussed hiring a construction manager to guide the process of a $25 million dollar renovation project at the high school during a meeting Tuesday, April 11, night.

The renovation would include updates to heating and cooling systems, plumbing and electrical wiring within the building.

According to Mark Taylor, a board member representing Region 1, hiring a construction manager will allow the district to budget accordingly for the project.

“He’ll be able to group projects together, give us current pricing within the constraints of our budget,” he said. “We don’t want to waste designs on something we can’t build because it’s so far out of our budget.”

The project still is in the design phase, but Taylor said the board is doing its due diligence to spend wisely.

“Our goal at the end of the day is to have 25 to 30 years of useful life in these systems,” he said.

Taylor said the high school building never has received updates to this degree, and the building still uses equipment installed in its construction.

“The plumbing is dated. We’re going to upgrade the kitchen and cafeteria area, and we’re relocating the administrative offices to create a secure entrance for students and guests,” he added.

During a separate board meeting Tuesday, a preliminary budget was presented by business manager Paul Cessar.

Total expenses of roughly $36.59 million are mainly going toward staff salaries, transportation and cyberschool and technical school costs.

The proposed spending plan currently lists a deficit of $520,764, which Cessar said is not uncommon in preliminary stages.

The board will vote on the preliminary budget at a May meeting and will then have 30 days to approve the final budget.

The next board meeting is scheduled for April 24. It also was announced that a special meeting would be held April 20 at the middle school to discuss moving fifth and eighth grades to the elementary school and high school, respectively.

The board also honored the girls varsity swim team with a resolution and stickers commemorating their two-year undefeated streak.