CONNELLSVILLE - After more than a year of tearing down the old and replacing it with the new, the Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center will celebrate the completion of the nearly $15 million renovation project on Feb. 27 with an open house.

Connellsville Area School Board members announced the scheduled celebration at its Monday work session.

Director of building and grounds Mike Omatick said that work is continuing at the technical center and should be completed by the end of the week.

"Of course, there will be punch list items and that will likely go on for the next month," he said. "But, everything should be done very soon."

The final phase of the project entailed the remodeling of the area that houses the auto mechanic, auto body, masonry and electrical services department.

"We started moving in equipment for the electrical class last week, so students should start moving back in there very soon," said Omatick.

Carpentry, welding and protective services students also affected by the last phase of construction have returned to their area of instruction.

The open house will be held from 1-5 p.m.

Turning to other business, the board is likely to address the following matters when it meets in regular session on Wednesday:

n Approve the consolidation of the CNC router and wood lathe courses into a single, one-credit course.

n Authorize the attendance of technology integration coaches Bridget Camp and Linda Michael to attend the Feb. 20-24 state educational technology expo and conference at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center with all costs to be paid by the state Association for Education, Communications and Technology.

n Enter into a one-year contract with ClearChoice Enter for the Emergency Demand Response Program with the district to receive $55,800.

n Approve the $2.04 million Intermediate Unit 1 2010-2011 operational budget with the local district contributing $40,364.

n Authorize the administration to execute an agreement with Premier Power Solutions LLC to participate in the PAIUI Electric Consortium, pending solicitor review of the document.

n Approve the attendance of physical education teachers Barbara Mongell and Deborah Luczka and 45 students to travel to Blue Lagoon in Erie to take a lifeguarding class on March 8 at a cost of $200 for two substitute teachers.