A plan to investigate “settlement cracking” at Nitschmann Middle School was presented to Bethlehem Area School Board members at Monday’s committee meeting.

“Since completion of construction at Nitschmann Middle School in 2017, settlement cracking has been observed and documented,” the agenda item states. “Nothing observed or evaluated is of a structural nature that impacts the safety of the building, but cracks have developed enough to warrant repairs.”

D’Huy Engineering, Breslin Architects and Penn Builders will share the $37,500 investigation cost with the school district.

“That’s not to fix it, that’s just to investigate,” said school board President Michael Faccinetto.

The plan includes a laser survey of the building that will be conducted three times in the next year. Survey results will inform future repair solutions.

During its Jan. 26 meeting, the board will vote on the cost-sharing agreement to fund the investigation.

Lead, radon testing results

In other facilities news, the school district completed its annual lead testing in December and reviewed results Monday.

“Things look fantastic across the district,” Chief Facilities Officer Mark Stein said. “Nothing bubbled up that was any kind of action level required, so that was great to see.”

This year the district tested bathroom sinks in addition to its typical survey of primary drinking water sources in kitchens and water fountains, Stein said.

“Also positive results, nothing that got our attention that requires any kind of action,” Stein said of the additional tests.

The first round of radon testing, which reviewed half of the district’s buildings, also found no issues in school facilities, Stein said.

“I think a lot of our HVAC improvements over the last several years have made an impact,” Stein said.

Testing in the maintenance building did reveal radon levels above the federal regulations for residential spaces.

“We are investigating remediation options,” Stein said, noting that the building lacks ventilation.

Similar issues are being investigated in the garage area of the transportation facilities, Stein said.

“We want you to be safe over there, so make sure that when you have a proposal for the remediation of the maintenance building you bring it to committee as soon as possible,” Superintendent Jack Silva said.

The remaining half of the district’s buildings will complete radon testing next year.