Jun 2, 2010 By Patty Yauger 5 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The Connellsville Area School District moved another step forward in the process to renovate the high school Tuesday by approving the submission of planning documents for review by the state Department of Education. By a 6-to-2-vote margin and with one member absent from the special meeting, the board agreed to submit the construction documents prepared by the district’s architectural firm of Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates of Mechanicsburg.

When a school district considers a major construction project and seeks to be reimbursed for a portion of the cost, it is required to furnish the department with a variety of information, including the planning process, estimated cost, designs, bid amounts and financing.

Each document must have board approval before it can be submitted to the department.

The next process will be for the architectural firm and district administration to confer with the state architect about the $63 million project.

Board members Francis Mongell and James Fabian did not support the action with Mongell stating he had advised the board last month that unless a plan was laid out as to how the project would be funded, he would no longer cast favorable votes.

“I disparately would like to see work done here at the high school because it is needed,” he said. “But, there needs to be a suitable plan to pay for it and I am not in favor of raising taxes to do it.”

Fabian, too, said that the aging building was in need or repair, but he would not support the costly price tag.

“We need to do something, but not for $60 million,” he said.

Former board member Ed Zadylak again urged the board to move the freshman class to the high school and consolidate the two junior high schools into one building to save tax dollars.

Noting the duplication of curriculum, programs and staffing, Zadylak said costs could be reduced “significantly” and the savings utilized elsewhere.

Also, he urged the board to reduce the scope of the high school renovation project that currently includes the replacement of all mechanical systems, new administration wing and a natatorium – a separate pool area that would allow for the current pool area to be filled in and used as an auxiliary gymnasium.

The current courtyards and lobbies would be eliminated to make room for a two-story classroom addition and security vestibules where students could congregate or visitors attending a program would gather outside the auditorium.

Should the renovations take place, new parking lots will be constructed at the front entrance of the building to separate student, staff, visitor and bus traffic at the site. The grassy area is now used by the high school band and sport teams for practice.

Although the documents are being submitted and bids being solicited for the project, Straub said that the board is not required to implement the project.

“You are not locked in,” he said.

Construction bids are to be opened June 28.

Following the special meeting, the building and grounds committee met to authorize Straub to begin analyzing the feasibility and cost savings tied to five optional plans submitted last month by the public, administration and three members of the school board as a way to reduce district costs.

The variety of plans offered various school closures, grade realignment and consolidation of the junior high schools for consideration by the board.

Dr. Paul Means, board member and chairman of the building and grounds committee, said that the board considers some of the plans viable and want to know the likely cost savings if implemented.

“It would be a shame to have the public put all the time into the plan and the board go ahead with something else,” he said.

Means said the first priority is the renovation of the high school and then students can be transferred, as needed.

The renovation is expected to take three years.

The architectural firm is conducting the cost analysis at no charge to the district. Straub estimates that it will take two months to scrutinize renovation, utility, bussing and staffing costs and prepare a report for the board.

Board vice-president Jon Detwiler said while there has been speculation about cost savings tied to building closures, no independent study has been completed.

“We’ve heard a lot of different things and every time it is talked about it goes up,” he said. “This way, we’ll know for sure.”

Calling the action a “delay tactic,” Zadylak chastised the board for engaging the architectural firm to conduct another study and not moving forward in consolidating the district.

“Close Zachariah Connell (Elementary School) right now and you’ll save $474,000 a year,” he said, adding that significant savings would also be realized with the closure of South Side, Dunbar Borough and Connellsville Township elementary buildings. “What else do you want?

“Those are your savings right up front. Don’t replace people when they retire.

“I’ve studied this district and know it like the back of my hand. You want to save money, close schools.”

The board agreed to hold a special meeting June 30 to accept or reject bids for the high school project and take final action on the 2010-2011 district budget.

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