Architecture firm notes water problems at Perry
PERRYOPOLIS – A New Castle architecture firm has determined that exterior waterproofing, interior drainage and a new air circulation system are needed to bring Perry Elementary School in the Frazier School District in compliance with state guidelines. While it opened in 1973, the building has encountered moisture problems over the years, according to school officials and representatives from Eckles that participated in a walk through this spring.
With the air quality a primary concern for a number of years, Donald Martin, superintendent, said the water at Perry has been diverted to help alleviate the problem.
Martin added that the state Department of Health has conducted routine testing, but each time found the air quality met the standards, which could change daily depending on weather conditions.
“We have an architect telling us they don’t know what will happen with the problem if we renovate Perry because the (water) issue has been there for years,” said Martin.
The Fraizer School Board hired Eckles in 2008 to prepare a feasibility study that has since narrowed down renovation options from 14 to three, ranging in cost between $19.6 million to $29.2 million for additions and alterations, or to build a new pre-kindergarten though fifth grade facility at the stadium site.
Initially, Eckles estimated the cost for elementary renovations at $14,839,200, but the price increased by $5 million after representatives viewed the water problems first hand.
If the board decides on renovations, Perry and Central elementary schools would remain status quo with the exception of each receiving a 9,500-square-foot gymnasium estmiated at $19.6 million under the first option.
For $25.1 million, the district would receive a new pre-kindergarten through fifth grade building at the stadium site that includes costs to raze Perry and build a new stadium on adjacent property.
The board was advised by the Pittsburgh financial firm Janney Montgomery Scott (JMS) that a third option to build a new 80,000 square-foot pre-kindergarten through fifth grade facility at the stadium site with additions to Central was too costly at $29.1 million since it would require a tax increase above the state index along with a 30-year bond.
The condition of the middle school also needs addressed, but with a separate pricetag of $5.6 million the board learned it would need to put the project on hold for several more years.
Additionally, Eckles noted that site development costs for both elementary schools were also excluded from the overall cost along with those for the middle school.
Dave Simmons, board member and chairman of the building, grounds and maintenance committee, said such costs could run between $250,000 and $2 million. “This is what we don’t know without doing soil samples,” added Simmons.
This year the board raised taxes to the state index to 0.514 mills strictly for the proposed project that amounted to $40 more per year on a house assessed at $74,000 with members Charles “Bud” Petrosky and Deborah Vargo-Alekson opposed.
The district’s current millage stands at 13.069, while the board has earmarked $3.1 million over the last few years that would be used to help offset the project’s debt service.
According to Martin, Perry was constructed in a low area, which could have contributed to the water problems, which were addressed by installing additional ventilation in the crawlspace under the building.
During the tour, David A. Esposito, partner with Eckles, found wash out in the crawl space in various places that he said would require further drainage included in the renovation price.
While the crawl space was dry on a wet day that Esposito visited Perry, he noticed the masonry was more distressed than he anticipated and attributed it to a leaky roof.
Esposito further determined the brick had cracked from water getting behind it.
Martin said all schools receive minor repairs throughout the year by the district’s maintenance workers as the buildings remain structurally sound.
However, Martin said the gymnasium floor at Perry has a tendency to expand and contract throughout the year with water playing a factor.
“There is a need for both Perry and Central to have these updates as any other 40-year-old school would need,” said Martin.
As with any school renovation project, Eckles indicated the amount of state reimbursment hinges on the number of students with Perry’s enrollment at 405 and Central at 190 compared at 316 and 203, respecitvely, five years ago
If the board opts to modernize the existing elementary schools under the first option, the district would need to borrow $19.6 million over 25 years and use $575,000 of $3 million it has earmarked, according to a representative of Janney Montgomery Scott.
State reimbursement for the project is estimated by Eckles at $5.3 million for renovations and at $4.7 million for a new facility.
For a house assessed at $75,000, Tom Shetterly, business manager, said the district would need to raise taxes by $139.50 per year for the next five years for renovations or by $204 per year for a new facility.
The board will vote later this month on a bond issue for the project.