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Committee formed for UAHS renovation plan

By Angie Oravec 4 min read

Affordable to the taxpayers. Adequately-renovated.

Meets educational needs.

Preserves historic heritage.

Fifteen taxpayers of the Uniontown Area School District have assembled to make certain these goals are met with a new Uniontown Area High School renovation plan.

One year after the start of public outcry about the district’s former $43 million renovation/construction plan, the Citizens Advisory Committee, called for by school board President Ron Machesky, has been formed after gaining several volunteers.

At its first meeting held recently, the committee elected two co-chairs: the Rev. Peter Malik, a fervent opponent of the $43 million plan who addressed the board for months until the board voted to scrap the original project, and Farmington resident Tom George, a retired employee of the Laurel Highlands School District who served in various administrative capacities, including buildings and grounds, special education and cafeteria services, in his 40 years in the LH district.

Though not one of the protesting taxpayers during the of the public outcry period, George said Tuesday he became part of the group to solve problems. George said the committee as a whole is not against the building project.

“I would never be in favor of depriving our students of adequate educational facilities,” George is quoted as saying in the minutes of the first meeting. “But, we’re going to recommend what is needed, not what is desired in the ways of extravagance and waste.”

He added Tuesday that the citizens group is going to require “a lot of cooperation and sincerity from the school board.”

According to meeting minutes, members agreed that $34.8 million is still too high of a figure for the renovation of the school, pointing out that when the new gymnasium was subtracted from the cost of the now-rejected Plan A, the cost would be brought down from $43 to $36.5 million.

Other extravagances, once eliminated, should bring that figure down significantly, read the minutes. Proposals that could be eliminated include gutting the auditorium down to the block walls, replacing all of the auditorium seats, air conditioning the gymnasium, building a food court and constructing classrooms that are not currently needed based on the current student population, according to the committee.

Members also feel that keeping the project within $20 to $28 million range was a goal to consider, stated the minutes.

Malik of Uniontown said the aim of the committee is to facilitate the process through researching for alternatives and adding an informed perspective along the way. He said there is no timeline to make a recommendation to the board.

“What we’re hoping is that some board members don’t rush into this and make another unfavorable decision,” said Malik. “We’re taking a real careful look at building to determine what the needs really are.”

A sub-committee was formed and has toured Albert Gallatin Area High School to take a look at the renovated school to see what can be done for an affordable cost.

Committee members Darrin DeCarlo and Guy Mahoney, both of Uniontown, and Ralph Mazza of Vanderbilt learned the AG High School was renovated at a cost of $14 million, which could cost $20 to $22 million today, not including costs such as furniture, which could add another $9 million to the price tag, stated the minutes.

Sub-committee member suggestions are to be included in weekly construction meetings, once the project is underway, and to address making building maintenance cost effective after looking at lockers and kitchen equipment at AG High School that cost slightly more up front, but have greater life expectancies and lower maintenance.

Other members on the group are: city code enforcement officer Myron Nypaver; Uniontown residents Terry L. Dawson, Steve Gavorchik, Herbert Margolis and Tim Sandstrom; Farmington residents Dale Rexrode, Scott Whyel and Angela Yankulic; Markleysburg resident J. “Boots” Gwosden; and Al Owens, a Pittsburgh resident with local ties.

Malik said the committee is excited to have Nypaver on board, with his knowledge of building codes.

Nine members showed at the group’s first meeting.

According to the minutes, the next step is to walk through the Uniontown high school to determine the number of classrooms and their suitability for today’s codes. Next, members will examine the high school schedule to determine how many additional classrooms are actually needed.

Machesky provided the committee thanked committee members for stepping forward to help the students, teachers and taxpayers of the school district.

The citizens group strongly encourages the public to continue to attend school board meetings during this crucial time of determining what the remodeling project will encompass and how much the taxpayers will be paying for it.

The next school board meeting will be held Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school band room. The next citizens advisory committee meeting will be held Aug. 17 at 5 p.m.

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