SUNBURY -- Members of the Shikellamy school board decided not to move forward on making improvements to the district's two oldest schools after learning the project could cost anywhere from $25 million to $45 million.

Gary Bannon, vice president of EI Associates, of Harrisburg, Tuesday presented the findings of the architectural firm's feasibility study, which gave the district four options.

The cheapest option included utility upgrades, window replacement and other renovations at the C.W. Rice and Sunbury middle schools at a cost of about $25 million. Even with reimbursements from the state, the project would have required a 4-mill to 5-mill tax increase.

Another option called for the construction of a new school, ranging in size from 141,000 to 158,000 square feet, with room for 700 to 800 students, at a cost of approximately $45 million.

"We can manipulate the cost of the buildings on what we're going to put in the buildings," Bannon told the board. "These are big numbers, I know. Unfortunately, the market's out there, driving the prices on all of this."

Though none of the board members seemed encouraged by EI's report, board member Preston Ross was the first to speak up.

"In my personal opinion, it would be nice to have that building. It would be nice to make renovations to the two buildings," he said. "But I can't sit here, in good conscience, and raise the people's taxes and my own taxes."

Fellow director Terry Marshall said he agreed with Ross. "I thank you for your proposal. I just can't hang the taxpayers out like that," he said.

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