The Mars Area school board Tuesday approved a $15.5 million bond issue to fund the high school renovation and added 8,600 square feet to the project.

The additional space was needed because of program needs, said architect Bob Marz. Added were storage space to the technology and art areas, two faculty rooms, a special education room and a classroom. The current faculty rooms will be used for other functions in the renovation, said Superintendent William Pettigrew.

The 30-year bond issue has interest rates ranging from 3.25 percent to 4.5 percent over the life of the issue and takes advantage of the downturn in the lending market, said Chris Shelby of H.T. Capital Markets.

"It is the time to take advantage of long-term rates," he said. "You stand on very, very good ground in comparison to anything going on in the market. Timing is everything, and so is luck, and we have both."

The project, which was approved in January, will gut an original wing of the first floor of the high school and add supports for a second floor. The renovation addresses several issues, including inadequate space for science, television and engineering classes, lack of privacy in the guidance and health suites, limited storage in the art rooms and lockers that are too small for winter coats.

It will also provide additional classrooms for future growth.

The original proposal was estimated to cost $13.9 million. The additions approved Tuesday add another $1.4 million to the cost.

Both the additions and the bond issue passed unanimously.

In other action, the board approved a revision to the terroristic threats policy to include language about "inappropriate statements."

"There was a lot of confusion among parents and the public," said board President Kim Geyer. "I think it will help to have the 'inappropriate statements' in there."

The board came under fire from a parent whose son was suspended for making terroristic threats. The boy said he was defending himself against a bully when he threatened to slit the other boy's throat with a pencil.

The school board also voted to contribute up to $1,000 for the local portion of a state Peer-to-Peer recreation grant.

The Mars Area Parks and Recreation Commission, which includes the school district and its four member municipalities, is seeking the grant to help the commission coordinate recreation programs.

Each municipality and the school district are supposed to contribute $200 toward the study, but Mrs. Geyer said she doesn't want the study to be dropped if a municipality cannot afford the full amount.

"In order to make it happen, if we are $50 short, we, as a school district, would make up the difference," she said.