Like the district capital project, phase one of the capital outlay project at the Upper Elementary School is nearly complete.
The state allows school districts to spend up to $100,000 each fiscal year on a capital outlay project. Upon completion, a district is reimbursed by the state based on its state aid ratio. Westmoreland’s state aid ratio for capital outlay projects is 90 percent, meaning the district will receive up to $90,000 from the state for every $100,000 spent on its capital outlay project at the Upper Elementary School. 
Consistent with much of the capital project, the main purpose of the capital outlay project at the Upper Elementary School is safety and security. As part of phase one of the project, the staircase in the main lobby of the school was removed in December and the main entrance vestibule was expanded. The vestibule, along with the main office, is now secured with new impenetrable doors and glass, creating a safer entranceway in compliance with state regulations. Only minor finishing work remains.
“The project was designed in consultation with safety experts,” Superintendent of Schools Rocco Migliori said. “While the appearance is a lot different, the project is purely about safety and security – not cosmetics.”
Phase two of the capital outlay project includes the hardening of the library entranceway and new flooring and heating units in the expanded main entrance vestibule. Phase two is part of the proposed 2021-22 district budget, and will proceed if the budget is passed by voters.
The entire capital outlay project at the Upper Elementary School is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2021-22 school year.