Uniontown schools project on track
Despite a utility issue setback, the Uniontown Area School District renovation project is on track, according to architectural firm officials. John Beddia, senior project manager with the architectural firm Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates Architects of Mechanicsburg, briefed the school board Monday about the progress of the project, which includes renovations at the high school, Ben Franklin and Lafayette schools.
Beddia said the biggest issue faced so far was a halt in work after the electrical contractor failed to finish setting up the temporary utility services, which would allow crews to perform construction where the permanent utilities were located.
“He didn’t include the work in his bid because he felt some of that work could only be provided by the utility company,” Beddia said. “We felt that was in his contract, and after discussing it with the solicitor, we gave them a seven-day notice to finish the work.”
Beddia said the district initially paid for the work, but the money will be withheld from the electrical contractor’s payment.
To date, Beddia said the high school’s Phase I of the interior demolition is nearly complete. He said the excavation of the stormwater retention project is about 95 percent complete and the foundations for the kitchen have been started. He also noted that the asbestos abatement in the boiler room and auditorium is in progress.
At Ben Franklin, the foundation for the new addition is complete and the masonry walls are started. Some asbestos abatement is under way. At Lafayette, demolition has begun and the foundation started for the new two-story addition, and the utility company has completed the electrical work.
Beddia told the board that construction will continue throughout the school year.
“The contractors’ contractual obligation is that school opens on time,” Beddia said, noting that provisions are made for students to attend school in a safe environment at each location while construction continues. “Everyone knows the drill and what’s expected of them. In all aspects considering the magnitude of these projects, things are going very well. Everything is on target and moving in the right direction.”
During Monday’s meeting, the board approved a payment to the Uniontown Area High School Construction Fund for $1,339,756.
In other business, Dr. Charles Machesky, superintendent, presented the board with a letter from the Stage Crew Alumni requesting that the stage portion of the auditorium be named after Robert Caldwell. The board last month denied the request to change the name of the auditorium from the Margaret A. Emelson Auditorium to Robert Caldwell Auditorium. The request to change the name sparked controversy with Emelson supporters, who used social media and letters to the board urging officials to leave the name as is.
Machesky said board directors may want to decide what to do with such requests, noting “every month we will be requested to rename something.” He suggested that the board decide which direction to take on such matters at the August meeting.
The board also passed a motion to eliminate the alternative education program at Haddenville School effective with the 2010-2011 school term. Machesky said some students will attend Colonial School in Grindstone where some slots have gone unfilled, yet the district has been financially responsible for them.
“It is more costly to send students to outside programs then to send them within the district,” school Director Thomas George said. But Machesky said administration has found it’s actually more cost effective to use outside programs and that since the district is locked into contract for the slots at Colonial, those vacancies will be filled. He also noted that the two teachers from the district’s program will be transferred to fill existing vacancies.
“We have to reduce the number of students in alternative education,” Machesky said. “We are doing it, primarily, to bring some students back into their home schools.”
On Monday, the board also approved:
n The resignation of Melissa Dillon as an elementary teacher assigned to Lafayette School, effective June 14. Machesky said the position will not be filled and at this time the district has no plans to hire additional elementary staff.
n The use of school photographers on a rotating schedule for four years for photos sponsored by the school, excluding senior pictures. The two studios will be Spellman Studios and George’s Studio. Director Thomas George abstained from the vote as a relative to George’s Studio.
n Approved the transfer of Brent LaPorte from a part-time employee to a full-time computer technician at the salary of $28,500 effective July 1 with fringe benefits afforded the custodial staff.