Truman High School Undergoes Millions In Renovations

Students returned to Harry S. Truman High School in Bristol Township at the start of the school year to find a refreshed building.

Michael Cox, the Bristol Township School District’s director of operations, recently gave an overview of the nearly $12 million in upgrades.

The work began in spring and wrapped up last month.

Old air handlers and chillers, which were in disrepair, were replaced with new ones. New piping was also installed, Cox said.

“These units will also now cool and heat the pool area and a large majority of the common areas in Truman,” he said.

The upgrades also included 96 new ventilation systems throughout the building.

The high school lobby was refreshed and repainted, and a new Truman Tiger mat was installed, Cox said.

“It gives the open area in the lobby a fresh look,” he said.

In the front of the high school on Green Lane, 300 lockers were removed and recycled. The district received a credit back on the metal, Cox explained.

In area where the lockers were previously housed, new countertops and work stations with charging plugs were added, Cox said.

The project also led to the hallways being repainted and ceilings being replaced throughout the building.

District plumbers worked to install new water shutoff valves. The valves are important because it will allow district staff to shut off water without draining the entire building and boiler system, which will cut down on the cost when repairs are needed, Cox said.

A new water main was installed to replace an older one that was leaking into a mechanical room.

“We no longer have a water main that could burst or leak,” Cox said.

The project also included rebuilding a special education trailer, including a new handicap-accessible ramp and new stairs with handrails.

New fire and security alarms were installed, along with a new security camera system.

Outside of the school, the district replaced doors and door fames, including installing new locks.

“We replaced over 80 exterior door frames,” Cox said.

Some of the previous doors couldn’t be properly locked, but they will all work correctly now.

Work was done to upgrade and repair the front of the high school. A total of 15 new LED light fixtures were installed outside the building.

Repairs and new coats of paint greet those who enter the building by the auditorium.

Cox highlighted the renovation to the running track at the sports stadium.

The old track was removed, the pavement was milled, repairs to the base were made, and a new rubber running track was installed with the oversight of the track coach, the district’s director of operations said.

“It’s nice to see the track fully refurbished. And it’s nice to see after six to seven years we will be able to host a track mean at Truman field,” Cox said.

Cox thanked district operations, maintenance, technology, and custodian crews for their work on the project, which was completed by district staff and contractors.

“It was a true group effort this summer,” he said.

School Board President James Morgan said the in-house work saved the district money during the project.

District officials previously touted expected savings from more efficient equipment being installed.

The district is undertaking the upgrades as part of the state’s Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) and utilizing funds from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund to cover the cost. The project comes with a guaranteed rate of savings due to the work.

GESA projects are designed to upgrade building systems and spaces to increase operational efficiency and create energy savings, which helps pay for the work, according to the Pennsylvania Department of General Services.

Some of the renovations were damaged in an August burglary at the high school.

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