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The revised plan discussed by officials June 25 proposes the construction of a high school, while leaving all other buildings without renovations for the immediate future.
Officials are expected to adopt wording of the new referendum Sept. 8 and develop a floor plan for the public to view.
The initial referendum's price tag of $114 million included a new high school estimated to cost $55.6 million. It also proposed a new school to replace Maytown Elementary, a central receiving department building, major renovations to nearly every other school building and new and improved athletic facilities.
During the June 25 meeting, district business manager Amy Swartz suggested changes to trim the cost of the high school project to $52.3 million.
The district could save $3.3 million by eliminating a field house, indoor running track, auditorium balcony and 100 parking spaces; combining a wrestling room with an auxiliary gym; and reducing a four-wing school to two wings.
But even that price tag left some board members wondering if the project has a chance to attract taxpayer support in November.
Board member Patrick Mitchell said, "After the defeat last time, which wasn't even close, I'm concerned that despite all the hard work and lowering the numbers down to $50 million for a new high school, that we still won't have enough residents to vote for it."
Mitchell said earlier in the meeting that if the referendum fails, building needs in Donegal would have to be addressed under existing budget revenues and a state-mandated tax index, which is tailored to each school district by the Department of Education. "I hope I'm wrong about the referendum, but I'm sorry, I just don't see it happening," he said. "If we keep painting ourselves in a corner, we're going to end up with a problem with a growing population and not enough income to cover these kids."
District officials opted for a new high school due to the age and inadequate infrastructure in the current high school.
Superintendent Shelly Riedel said, "We are going to be positive and go into this fall referendum with some positive messages." She said the school has had a shortage of classroom space since 1976, when the district began adding modular units in the rear parking lot. Modular units were added from 1976 to 1990 and 1993 to the present.
She said the district replaced several of the large modular units in 2003, and a double unit set up in 2007 brought the number of classrooms to 14. In addition, four modular classrooms installed starting in 2001 are in use at the middle school. Riedel said the district purchased most of the modular units at Donegal knowing they were constructed to last eight to 10 years.
John Boughter, director of maintenance, said the aging modular units are showing wear and tear.
In April, John Coleman, a board member and facility chairman, said roof repairs on the modular units could cost $250,000.
If voters approve a new high school, grade realignment would help alleviate classroom space needs in other buildings.
Riedel said the student population at Donegal has been increasing over the years, and the trend is expected to continue because of residential development in East Donegal Township and Mount Joy Borough.
"We are already up over 200 kindergarten registrations for next year," she said. "In prior times, we have the potential to get 20 to 30 more children, which is not the best situation. Kindergarten is always our biggest unknown."
Board president Steven Cafrelli said, "When this economy picks up again, (housing construction) will take off again."
