Even before the recent financial crunch, the Upper St. Clair School District was taking a hard look at how it might pay for a proposed $62 million renovation of its two middle schools.

The latest phase of detailed plans was unveiled last Monday at a public forum at the high school, the fourth such meeting since the project began.

Architect David McLean of Graves and McLean spoke at length about the proposed physical changes to Fort Couch and Boyce middle schools.

But hanging over the proceedings was a vague sense of sticker shock. What looked like a $55 million project just a few months back has escalated in price at a time when finances are tight all around.

Frosina Cordisco, district director of business and finance, noted that tax and grant scenarios studies are under way.

"We are very concerned about the financial environment," she said.

Mike Bova, of financial adviser/bond underwriter Boenning and Scattergood, said the district would not expect to actually need access to additional funds for the project until "the second, maybe the third quarter of next year," and that the district has the option of issuing bonds in phases.

With interest rates fluctuating, Mr. Bova added, it's difficult to even guess what kind of millage increase this would mean to the district.

He said that under today's rates, if the project were to begin tomorrow, a tax hike of two mills, total, over four years would be possible.

"But even that doesn't mean a rise in taxes; there are so many variables and ways to raise money or even eliminate things [from the plans]," he added.

Renovation ideas were based on the findings of a feasibility study completed last spring by Bill DeJong, an educational facility planner.

Noting that USC middle school teachers work in groups -- four-teacher teams at Fort Couch, which houses Grades 7 and 8, and two-teacher teams at Boyce for Grades 5 and 6 -- the architects designed pods of classrooms that could be enlarged by using folding walls. Such pods could also be used in science labs and small-group instruction rooms.

"What does a building look like when it's responding to team teaching?" Mr. McLean asked.

In the case of Boyce, which was built in 1969 and still runs its original mechanical systems such as heating, "We're just enhancing a design that already has a lot of good things going for it," he said.

Adding large windows and access to natural light goes beyond aesthetics, he said. Some studies indicate students perform better and attend school more often in such an environment.

The addition of computer labs, a relocated kitchen/cafeteria area and renovation of the gymnasium are also planned. There is a design for a 400-to-450-seat theater next to the new academic wing, should the budget allow.

Improvements to the driveway and bus areas would allow traffic to flow around the building instead of necessitating a U-turn, as the current setup dictates.

Including soft fees, the rough estimate for this project is $27 million and would be achieved in three phases beginning next August and concluding two years later.

This construction schedule, officials noted, is just a preliminary estimate. A similar schedule is suggested for the other school.

At Fort Couch, which was built in 1950, it's a different situation. Constructed in the "industrial model" of the era, it's currently a longer, narrower building with stacks of classrooms lining a long hallway.

In some of the smaller classrooms, Mr. McLean noted, the desks "literally go up to the chalk tray."

Plans at Fort Couch would require the elimination of a parking lot for the district's 60-odd buses. According to superintendent Patrick O'Toole, studies are under way to find a more industrial site for the vehicles.

This would open up space for a new academic wing featuring the same pod-oriented groups of classrooms. The three-level project would also "turn around" the middle school by building a formal entrance facing the playing fields out back.

Currently, the entrance faces Fort Couch Road. The new design would keep bus loading along Fort Couch but would remove the car and foot traffic from that area.

The current gymnasium would be replaced by a cafeteria, with a new gym, and possibly a smaller auxiliary workout room.

Cost of the Fort Couch renovation is roughly $34 million.

The district plans to submit the project to the U.S. Green Building Council for LEED certification, thus making it eligible for grants.

In addition to Graves and McLean, the district has hired P.J. Dick as construction managers, CJL Engineering for consultation and Aramark as commissioning agent.

The USC web site has updated plans available at www.uscsd.k12.pa.us.