Board agrees to install air conditioning in elementary schools
CONNELLSVILLE – The Connellsville Area School Board agreed to install air conditioning in five elementary schools this summer. Board members approved a request by the administration to have L.D. Astorino Companies of Pittsburgh solicit bids and oversee construction of air-conditioning systems in Zachariah Connell, South Side, Connellsville Township, C.N. Pritts and Dunbar Township elementary schools at an estimated cost of $5,750,000.
Superintendent Gerald Browell said all engineering costs would be paid from the district construction fund. Browell also said that the board actually approved the air-conditioning systems at its October meeting, but the price for the job at that time was set at $5.6 million.
“That’s why we had to do it again,” said Browell. “The first price didn’t take asbestos abatements into consideration or L.D. Astorino Companies 6.5 percent construction cost which amounts to about $373,750.”
L.D. Astorino Companies is expected to advertise for bids in the near future and expects to award a contract the first week of February. The company hopes to complete all the work in all the schools by the end of summer.
In other unrelated matters, the board agreed to update the weight room at the Junior High East at an approximate cost of $5,400 and add a weight room at the Junior High West at a cost of about $11,500.
However, business manager William Harper said the job will not get done until the next budget year.
“We don’t have the money budgeted for this year,” Harper told the board. “You can vote on it now, but we will not be able to order the equipment until the 2003-2004 budget is finalized.”
The board agreed and Harper said that the equipment could be ordered by the beginning of the school year.
In other business, the board agreed to readvertise the sale of the West Leisenring School. Browell said the school district received three bids but they were all under the appraised value of the building.
“The building is appraised at $79,400,” said the superintendent. “The land alone is appraised at $26,400.”
Browell said the three bids they received were $16,800, $13,000 and $6,500. He also said that the building is in excellent shape with a good roof, a working elevator and new windows and would be perfect for business or professional offices.
In other matters, the board:
-Approved a request by Kelly Lombard, Junior High West guidance counselor, to attend the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association Conference at State College, April 4, at no cost to the district.
– Added Kelly Cunningham to the professional substitute list in special education and Lori Wiltrout in math.
– Approved Michele Gillott and Rebecca Broadwater as long term substitute teachers for the second semester of the school year.
– Granted permission for Christine Vaslavsky, Title 1 teacher, to attend the National Conference on Brain Compatible Practices in Curriculum and Instruction in Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 27-March 2, at a maximum cost of $200 for registration.
– Approved William Wilson and three staff members to attend a Federal Programs Conference at Seven Springs, April 13-16 with all costs to be paid from federal funds.
– Approved a base salary increase for Paula Childs, Connellsville City Tax Office Clerk, in the amount of $466 and part-time office clerk Audrey Helms in the amount of 26 cents.
– Renewed Assistant Superintendent James L. Duncan’s contract.
– Agreed to pay Ronald Marciante, Junior High East teacher, $480 for office duties and responsibilities administratively assigned during the extended absence of the assistant principal.