California school directors look at CTC renovations
The California Area School Board is reviewing renovation plans for the Mon Valley Career and Technology Center (CTC).
The board is being asked to vote on the matter at its September board meeting to keep the project on track for completion by June 2014. Denise Tracy, principal at the career technology center, presented information about the plan to the school board Wednesday. The CTC serves six school districts in Washington County including California Area and the Bethlehem Center School District.
Tracy said a feasibility study showed that the building’s doors and windows are in poor condition and the building doesn’t comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The floor is heaving up in some areas, particularly in the carpentry class space, and the roof is leaking.
“I had six buckets in my office the last time it rained,” Tracy said.
Tracy said the plan also includes expanding the auto body education space. Tracy said the plan also calls for approximately $1 million in instructional equipment, which is nearly 100 percent reimbursed by the state. Tracy said the total project cost comes to just over $8 million, with nearly $5.8 million to be reimbursed by the state.
“I like that 72-percent reimbursement,” said George Safin, the district’s representative to the CTC. “This is something that’s had two false starts in the past and I’m afraid if it doesn’t go this time, we’ll have to pay for the repairs at 100 percent.”
Tracy said the project would be funded with a 15-year bond. The cost would be shared by all six participating districts.
In other matters, the school board accepted the resignation of business manager Tracy Harris who is taking a position in another school district.
The board voted to post and advertise the business manager’s position. Harris’s last day on the job in the California Area School District has not yet been set.
The board also approved an agreement with California Borough for a borough police officer to serve as the school resource officer for the 2011-12 school year.
The board also approved plans for the elementary school to be certified as a Lighthouse school under the Franklin Covey “Leader in Me” program. The majority of the cost is being covered by a grant, with the district paying $4,072 this year for supplies.
The board tabled action on the appointment of four teachers to serve as the on-line monitors/mentors for students taking classes by computer to make up credits needed for graduation. A question was raised as to whether there is a cap on the number of hours each teacher would work in that position each week.
The board continued its meeting until 7 p.m. on Aug. 24.