ATGLEN, PA — The Octorara Area School Board unanimously approved a $532,229 modular building purchase Aug. 17 for the district’s Homeland Protective Service Academy, replacing a rented unit and allowing the district to use grant funding before it expires.
The contract with Boxx Modular carried an initial price of $601,729 before credits reduced the cost by $69,500, according to meeting minutes.
Chief Financial Officer Keith Stabile told the board during its Aug. 10 work session that approximately $371,000 remained from a grant awarded two years ago. The district must use the money by the end of 2026 and plans to apply it toward the purchase rather than continue paying $2,500 a month to rent a unit.
The acquisition shifts the district from an operating expense to ownership of a facility supporting the academy, a career and technical education program focused on protective services.
The modular unit accounted for most of the facilities spending approved during the Aug. 17 meeting. Board members also authorized $142,161.70 in repairs, equipment and maintenance work across district buildings.
That spending included a $78,750 contract with Berkshire Systems Group to repair the high school fire-alarm system and an $18,816 agreement with Western Pest Services for termite extermination at the middle school.
The board approved $11,350 in electrical cord reels for the high school’s career and technical education kitchen classroom and $12,630.29 to replace a variable-frequency drive controlling part of the high school air-conditioning system.
Other approved work included a $6,579 pipe repair in the high school office area, a $2,080 library duct-cleaning project and a $1,049.62 transformer replacement.
At the Primary Learning Center, the board authorized $3,406.79 to replace a blower motor and bearing and $1,300 to inspect a fire-suppression system cylinder. It also approved a $6,200 proposal from Yocum Shutters & Blinds.
The facilities work follows emergency repairs to a high school air-conditioning control system after an electrical surge or possible lightning strike, according to the Aug. 10 minutes.
The district is also advancing middle school facility improvements. Electrical bids were due Aug. 20, with board approval expected in October, and two empty fuel tanks are scheduled for removal during renovations.
In personnel actions, the board hired Angela Regrut as principal of the Primary Learning Center at a prorated annual salary of $145,000. She replaces Krista Lease, who retired.
The district also created two 10-month campus safety officer positions. Daniel McKeown was hired at an annual salary of $55,500, and Ivan Zavala was hired at $48,500.
Board members approved Jennifer “Aubrey” Stephens for a new special education compliance and services coordinator position at a prorated salary of $60,500.
Several teachers and support employees were hired to replace departing staff, while nine professional employees received tenure.
The board also approved an articulation agreement with Saint Francis University, an amendment covering substitute nursing services from Maxim Healthcare Services and the creation of a digital media cooperative education position.
A vote on the middle school Student and Family Handbook was delayed until September to give board members additional time for review and discussion.
The district reported that an auction, including the sale of its former maintenance building, generated approximately $400,000.
The board’s actions commit the district to more than $674,000 in building purchases, repairs and equipment while using expiring grant money to convert the academy’s modular facility from a recurring rental expense into a district-owned asset.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.