A consultant for the South Fayette School District last night presented the school board with financing options for two proposals to expand elementary school space.

In July 2015, the district is expected to have enough borrowing capacity to begin issuing bonds for a $39 million project to renovate and expand the existing elementary school, said Jamie Doyle, an advisor with Public Financial Management Inc., of Pittsburgh.

This option would require the property tax rate to increase about 2 mills, incrementally over three years.

Alternatively, under a two-phase plan, the district could construct a new intermediate school for grades three to five by 2012, and then renovate the existing elementary school by 2018.

The combined $29 million for new construction and $23 million for renovations would require the tax rate to gradually increase about 2.8 mills over eight years, starting in the 2010-2011 school year.

"Whatever project you want to pursue, there is a way to get it done," Ms. Doyle said.

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