Uniontown committee emphasizes basics
The Citizens Advisory Committee to the Uniontown Area High School renovation/construction project emphasized Thursday a back-to-basics approach by voting to tell the school board they want to see the high school renovated and not a major site of construction or demolition. “This is a motion to let the school board know where we stand as a committee,” said Farmington resident Dale Rex-rode, who formed the motion.
The school board last week authorized Altman & Altman Architects to devise a new plan for a high school project after the board reviewed four plans presented by Altman at a special meeting.
Two plans had an estimated project cost of $34.8 million, the spending cap the school board placed on the project, while one included demolishing the building’s 1910 section that a group of taxpayers, many of whom sit on the advisory committee, earlier pushed to preserve.
The committee agreed to suggest that the board may add classrooms as needed per state requirements following its meeting with Foreman Architects of Zelienople, the consultant hired to review project drawings.
Committee member Scott Whyel of Farmington voted “no” to the motion, noting he wanted to hear from Foreman first.
According to information from the committee, Foreman Architects, in its role as consultant, can perform 10 functions. Reviewing Altman & Altman drawings are nine of those, while the tenth is to review the cost of constructing a new high school at another site.
The committee also voted to tell the school board it is dissatisfied with the district’s contract with Foreman Architects, citing it does not allow for review of options the committee is pursuing, including placing additional classrooms in the high school courtyard.
“I don’t think he’s even been hired to look at that (the courtyard),” said Malik, adding the contract “does not cover enough.”
“It excludes this committee,” noted Uniontown resident Tim Sandstrom.
The motion passed 8-2 with committee members Whyel and Gus Mahoney voting against it. Whyel said he is opposed to the contract with Foreman in general. “We’re throwing $90,000 out the window,” he said.
During discussions on the topics of Altman’s contract and how much he has been paid, Mahoney repeatedly told the committee members they have gotten off track. “We are an advisory committee appointed to make suggestions to the school board on the construction of a high school,” said Mahoney. “The school board authorized (those things). It is not in our power to do anything about it.
“It’s only muddying the waters,” he added.
The committee’s suggestions will be conveyed to the school board at the next regular meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 16 in the high school band room.