Frazier to revisit elementary renovations
PERRYOPOLIS — The acting superintendent of Frazier School District said he wants to revisit elementary renovation talks with the school board following ongoing repair issues needed at both buildings.
“I’ve been here 10 years and all I’ve heard is if I want to get something fixed at the elementaries to wait until renovations,” said Ken Meadows.
Meadows, who was to retire as elementary principal this month, was instead appointed by the board to his new position.
“I think this is something that we need to address. And if we’re not going to do renovations, we need to put that idea to rest and look at the individual buildings that we house our kids in,” said Meadows.
Meadows said he wanted to hold a building and grounds meeting to “revitalize” the conversation with a date not set.
“We have to decide either, or,” said Meadows. “We have a capital reserve fund.”
With students returning to school at the end of the month, Meadows said there are several issues that need addressed, such as resealing and re-striping the parking lots, cleaning up the football field and inspecting the bleachers, which hasn’t been done since 1999.
Meadows also said the elementary roofs are still leaking with repairs to be covered under warranty.
The board halted discussing renovations in November after the majority rejected a $25.5 million bond issue to fund the proposed project that included three options from Eckles Architects involving Central Elementary School and Perry Elementary School.
If passed, the district’s bond counsel said it would have been able to secure the interest rates being offered then under federal stimulus funds that expired in December.
Meadows told the board if they are unwilling to renovate they need to tackle problems one at a time such as replacing windows and fixing doors.
Meadows said he has been involved in various renovation projects in the Uniontown Area School District as a member of the school board.
“We refinanced our bond issues and saved $2.6 million on the last project,” said Meadows.
Deborah Vargo-Alekson, school director and building and grounds committee member, agreed with Meadows on a meeting, however wanted to wait until the new business manager comes on board and a superintendent is hired.
“I thought that (renovations) was already put to rest when some of us decided not to do anything with renovating or building new,” said Vargo-Alekson, who voted in favor of the bond issue.
Director John Strickler, who opposed the bond issue, said he didn’t feel comfortable borrowing money until the board had a plan.