Nov 16, 2004 By Josh Krysak 3 min read

The Uniontown Area School Board voted unanimously to move forward with another bidding process for the Marclay School project after several initial rounds of bidding came in too high. During last week’s work session, district architect Mark Altman of Altman and Altman told the board that with cost cutting measures of about $335,000 in the latest proposal, the project should come in near the estimated $4 million cost for the new school.

The board had to re-bid the Marclay School project since bids received were at least 30 percent higher than projected.

However, one of the cost cutting measures taken by Altman, the removal of a sprinkler system in favor of fire walls, had many of the directors concerned for student safety and concerned with protecting their investment in the new school.

The removal of the sprinkler system was estimated to save the district about $80,000.

Director Ron Machesky requested the board have Altman request two bids, one with the system included and one without.

“There are other cost cutting measures rather than the sprinkler system,” Machesky said. “This is about the kids’ safety. This is a brand new building and 30 or 40 years from now, it will be a wise investment.”

The board approved Machesky’s proposal and Director Dorothy Grahek said she would alert Altman to the request.

The Marclay School project includes the demolition of the existing school, which is in general disrepair. A new building is scheduled for construction at the same location.

Last week, Altman told the directors that the new plans for the school, including using different materials for the roof and changes to the heating and ventilation system, should reduce the overages and said that reducing the grading area for the new facility as well as a smaller parking lot will also cut the cost by about $100,000.

Altman said that the project should be awarded in the spring and that once construction begins, it should take about one year to complete the new building.

He added that students will continue to use the existing school while the new school is built.

The school project has been on the table for the district for about three years after the building was found to be in disrepair in 2001. The district initially considered moving the students to A.J. McMullen School and creating a K-8 facility, but the idea was squelched by outcry from Markleysburg residents opposed to the initiative.

The board also conducted the following business:

– Approved a contract extension for district Superintendent Charles Machesky through 2010 with a 4-percent increase each year. Machesky currently makes about $100,000 annually.

– Scheduled a reorganization meeting for Monday, Dec. 6, at 6:25 p.m. in the high school band room to be directly followed by the district’s regular monthly meeting.

– Awarded a contract to Construction Engineering Consultants for geo-technical services at the high school.

Awarded a contract to Environmental and Safety Training Inc. for asbestos consulting and monitoring services at the high school.

– Created full- and part-time custodial positions for the new kindergarten facility along Iowa Street.