Hamburg Area school directors approved a contribution in the amount of $81,741 for the expansion of the playground at Perry Elementary dedicated to Esther H. Ludwig on Sept. 19.
A request was made to school directors in July by the Perry Parent-Teacher Organization for $90,000 to help with the expansion.
The amount of the request decreased due to a drop in the cost of poured rubber, according to Yvonne Stitzel, PTO fundraising chairwoman.
The project will cost about $152,000 and is slated for June 2017.
The PTO plans to raise about $55,000 for equipment, shipping, cement and miscellaneous costs. About $40,000 has been raised with fundraisers planned to help reach the goal.
A community build of the equipment will save the district about $15,500, according to Councilman Andrew Raugh.
The district’s contribution will pay for poured rubber ($57,000), excavation ($8,750), digging ($5,875), stone ($6,300) and We-Saw installation ($3,000- 3,500).
With the expansion the district hopes to reduce overcrowding and provide a playground that is suited for handicapped and special needs students.
One piece of equipment that is designed to include special needs and handicapped students is the We-Saw, a variation of the traditional seesaw.
Space was allotted for the expansion when Perry Elementary was built in 2014. The expansion will double the size of the current playground.
In other news, school directors agreed to a five-year lease from Fulton Bank for printers/copiers with an annual payment not to exceed $15,595.
In a move that will save the district money, Fulton Bank will purchase the printers and copiers, instead of the school district, from Phillips Office Solutions at a cost not to exceed $72,667.
The district will be charged a lower interest rate from the bank.
The next meeting of school directors is Monday, October 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the James A. Gilmartin Community Room.
