Connellsville board hears mixed reactions
SPRINGFIELD TWP. – The $12.5 million price tag associated with the construction of a new elementary school drew mixed emotions from residents Wednesday during a public hearing held in conjunction with the guidelines of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. School districts involved in renovation projects are required to hold a public hearing under Act 34 of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which allows for public comment on new construction projects or substantial additions to existing structures.
Under Act 34 of 1973, the school district is required to advertise 20 days before the public hearing and have available for review the description of the project and its financial implications.
Out of roughly 100 people that attended the hearing, only seven signed up before the meeting when it came time to provide testimony. The board did receive one e-mail in advance from Gerald A. Wilson, who stated he was against renovating both Springfield Township and Clifford N. Pritts elementary schools.
Representatives from Astorino Pellis Architects of Greensburg and Public Financial Management Company were also on hand as part of the PlanCon submission process. The process relates to the educational, physical, administrative, budgetary and fiscal facts of the renovation, construction and equipping of Springfield.
Ryan Pierce, architect with Astorino Pellis, said the new 75,000-square-foot building would house students in grades kindergarten through sixth and would be constructed on a site directly behind the current school.
The board approved the $12,587,467 project last month by a 5-4 vote, with members Kevin Lape, Charles Wilson, Kenneth Nicholson, Ann Watson and David Goldblum in favor, while Francis Mongell, Karen Blocker, Jeffrey Harvey and Loretta Lint were opposed.
Gerald Browell, superintendent, said, the multimillion-dollar price tag would require a tax increase of 4.3 mills, which amounts to $41.93 more per year for the average household.
While the majority of residents that provided comment agreed with the board, they were concerned about the costs associated with the overall project compared with that of renovations to Bullskin Township Elementary School, Junior High East and Junior High West.
The size of the new school also sparked debate.
As far as financing, Public Financial Management Co. determined the project would benefit the most by having the district take out a general obligation bond since it includes the most favorable interest rate; however, the district could receive an interest free bond through the federal government.
As the parent of four children, two of them attending Springfield, Jodie Hall of Mill Run said she took offense to the four board members that voted against the project. “This school is a viable part of our community, and with the poor condition it’s in we can’t attract people to live here,” said Hall.
According to Browell, Springfield has remained untouched for the last 40 years since it was built and needs to come into compliance with the education department standards. “Without exception, everyone agrees that this building has to go,” said Browell.
Although the board agreed to build a new school, they also discussed closing both Springfield and Clifford Pritts and constructing one school at a central location. The idea was also discussed among mountain residents, with the majority opposed.
With the board’s decision to go with one school, the building will consist of two stories with new parking facilities, an administration wing, health suite, library, computer lab, multi-purpose room with full-size basketball court, music and chorus rooms, cafeteria/kitchen and state-of-the-art security and fire alarm systems.
Because the building is so outdated, Pierce said the new school would have central air conditioning and elevators and be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
According to the project’s site plan, classrooms for kindergarten through third grade are located on the first floor and grades four through six, on the second floor. Three special education rooms are also scattered throughout the classroom areas.
In addition, Pierce noted the school would receive a potential playground and new sewage treatment plant.
Robin Martin of Indian Head said she wants to see the project move forward. “We can’t wait another two years for our needs to be met,” Martin added.