BUFFALO TWP — Freeport Area School District residents can expect a final decision on the high school renovation project to made in early March.

School board member Gregory Selinger said in a meeting Wednesday, Feb. 5, that with a busy agenda for the board’s regular Feb. 12 meeting, a decision at the March 12 meeting is likely.

Previously, the Freeport school board had narrowed down the possibilities at its Jan. 15 meeting to two options for Freeport Area Senior High School — a minimal renovation for around $22 million, or a full-scale renovation that would cost roughly $55 million.

Based on discussions from the Jan. 15 meeting, as well as a feasibility study from April 2024, a minimal renovation would focus on aspects such as heating and air conditioning, lighting, new windows, and a roof repair. A full renovation would focus on larger aspects, such as including new flooring, walls and ceilings, as well as further electrical work.

The momentum toward a high school project decision comes as the board also has its eyes on preparations for its 2025-26 budget. Selinger said Wednesday the district’s budget has to be finalized by the board’s June 11 meeting.

At the board’s Jan. 15 meeting, one of the issues surrounding project funding was the likelihood of a tax increase. Brad Walker, the district’s director of finance and operations, previously said the $22 million plan would require the board to add $1.3 million over three years to its bottom-line revenue. For the $55 million plan, this number increased to $2.9 million.

The school district’s budget total expenditures for the 2024-25 academic year was $38.45 million, with a total revenue of $37.55 million. The board has not yet released any details on budget preparations for 2025-26.

At the committee meeting Wednesday, Feb. 5, there was not yet any public consensus as to the board’s preference between the two options. Board member John Haven said members of the building committee had met in January and discussed the options, but still do not have a consensus.

Haven spoke out to ask the board what their vision was for the school’s future, and the only board member to provide further opinion, Dino DiGiacobbe, expressed a desire to save money and focus on other current financial needs of the district. Certain aspects, such as fixing the auditorium stage, as well as sewage issues, were widely recognized as necessary fixes, but little else was mentioned.

“I’m just not in favor of doing any major renovations or anything big until current contracts are negotiated, settled, and they’re all good,” DiGiacobbe said. “As far of the high school, I’ve always been in favor of keeping the current high school. But that’s where I’m at right now. I’m definitely not in favor of the $55 million plan, I’m not in favor even of $21, $22 million, right now let’s take care of things that we need to.”