Portage Area School Board approves upgrades to high school auditorium

High school’s stage lighting to be replaced

The Portage Area School Board approved upgrades to the high school auditorium's stage lighting Wednesday.

The board considered two options, but chose to upgrade and replace the stage lighting and light board for $85,675. The alternative included upgrading and replacing stage lighting, housing lighting and touch screen controls for $167,924.

Business Administrator Jeff Vasilko said he's unsure when the work will be done, but noted the district chose to do it because the current lights are old and need to be replaced.

"These ones will have LEDs that are capable of a million colors," Vasilko said.

The board also approved hiring the EADs Group to build a conceptual design for a high school sidewalk project at a cost not to exceed $35,000.

Vasilko said the sidewalk needs to be repaired for safety reasons.

"It's needed; we've had to do it. So, it's time for safety issues to get it all redone," Vasilko said.

Acting Superintendent Krystal Smith said the district will also have safety bollards posted in front of all the main entrances as part of the project.

"After we finish the sidewalk project, both buildings we have the bollards at all of the necessary locations," Smith said.