Board approves $200,000 land deal
Uniontown Area School Board agreed to put out $200,000 for the old Bryson Motors display lots across from the high school with the hope it will give the district much-needed parking space and the potential to some day expand the high school. The school board on Thursday voted 7-0 at a special meeting to purchase the site that comprises seven and a half city lots from Daniel Bryson. The Bryson building is not included.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the school district,” said Director Charles Castor, who gave the second to the motion made by Director Susan Clay.
Castor said he believes this property, that is located across from the high school and features a paved surface, will be “one of the greatest assets of our district.” He said the property is being purchased for present and future students of the district in part in case the school board decides to expand the high school.
Directors William Rittenhouse Jr. and Nancy Herring were absent.
The move came after a 45-minute executive session the school board called for discussion of real estate purchase, a confidential student matter and extra duty/responsibility positions.
President Harry “Dutch” Kaufman commented after the meeting.
“The property was available. This is seven and half city lots,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for the school district initially to add to its parking availability not only for staff and students but also for events. We do not have enough parking.”
He said this is also an opportunity for the school district to make more land available for any future expansion at the high school.
Buildings and grounds director Rob Smalley said there is no other area for the high school site to expand.
“We’re hemmed in with Fayette Street in front, Grant Street to the side and a railroad track and Redstone Creek in back,” Smalley said.
The school board has talked at past meetings about space limitations at the high school while they have discussed other buildings and grounds issues as part of a multi-million-dollar, multi-phase project to renovate a number of the school buildings.
Kaufman said the money for the purchase will come from existing bond issues the school board floated in the first phase of the buildings projects. He said the board had earmarked about $1.2 million to $1.5 million for new central offices. He acknowledged the school board voted in October to buy from the state the 32 Iowa St. building that currently houses Career Link for $302,000 and that left some leeway for the Bryson property purchase.
The school board has talked for some time about leasing or buying a building or new construction to replace the existing central offices at 23 E. Church St., an aging building they have said would cost too much to renovate.
Smalley said the state Legislature has approved the sale of the Iowa Street site to the school district and final approval is awaiting Gov. Mark Schweiker’s signature. Smalley said the district will take possession of the building once Career Link moves to its new site at the Fayette County Business Park. He said he does not have a definite date but expects the Career Link move to occur sometime in February.
Smalley said the school district will have some work to do in the building to make it ready for occupancy. In particular, he said the layout is open and the district needs enclosed space for offices because of confidential student and employee business.
Kaufman said the school board has made no decision on what they may do with the old central office building.
In other business, the school board approved the request of R. Paul Renninger for a sabbatical leave during the second semester of the 2002-2003 school year for restoration of health.
They approved the final readings of the English as a second language policy and the integrated pest managemnt6 policy.