$8-9 million renovation planned at Greene vo-tech school
WAYNESBURG – What started out as a roof-replacement project has grown into a plan for extensive renovations to the 34-year-old Greene County Area Vocational-Technical School. School boards from the five county school districts will be asked to approve the estimated $8 million to $9 million project during their February business meetings.
If cleared by the school boards to proceed, director Richard Ohler said it would be the first time the building would be renovated since it was constructed in 1968.
Ohler said the roof replacement has been considered for about the past 10 years but delayed because some board members did not want to simply replace the flat roof.
He said the school leaders considered a standing-seam metal roof as an alternative and approached the state Education Department about partial reimbursement of the costs, learning the building was out of compliance with current building codes, including handicapped accessibility.
“All these things were needed to put it up to code,” he said.
Ohler said discussions came up about addressing energy efficiency by installing new lights and ceiling tiles, as well as upgrading the air-conditioning tower in an effort to ultimately save energy and mechanical maintenance costs.
Besides the roof, handicapped-accessibility issues and energy efficiency, the plans now include renovations in general throughout the entire building. Foreman Architects & Engineers of Zelienople is working on the project.
Of the $8 million to $9 million cost estimate, Ohler said the Education Department has predicted a reimbursement from the state of about $3.5 million.
He said the project would probably be funded through a bond issue and the money to pay back the debt would come from the county school districts in proportion to their market value, according to the articles of agreement under which the school districts share the vo-tech.
Approval by a majority of the school boards is routinely needed to OK issues at the vo-tech school, but Ohler said he is uncertain whether all five must approve the renovation project.
He said unanimous approval is his personal goal. He said the renovations are overdue, although he understands none of the school districts has money to spare.
“We invited all board members in to show how desperate our need was, and it’s getting very desperate.
“We need to do something. It’s just a matter of where to get the money,” he said.
He pointed out the Education Department may offer partial reimbursement for building renovations after 20 years and the vo-tech building has seen a lot of use without major improvements. If the project proceeds, Ohler said the construction work could begin in June and take about 15 months.
He said the students would not be displaced during that time and work during the school year could take place with a second shift of contractors after classes and over two summers.