Oct 9, 2011 By Patty Yauger heraldstandard.Com 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE — The Connellsville Area School District has undertaken multiple studies through the years to better understand the condition of its facilities and costs to make improvements.

Feasibility studies are required by the state Department of Education (PDE) prior to any renovation or new construction project, analyzing the physical condition of current buildings, capacity as it related to the educational program, costs to upgrade and pros and cons of each option.

Other plans, too, have been solicited by the respective boards as the panels consider consolidation, realignment and other factors.

With the high school undergoing renovation and an approved plan to transfer the freshman class from the junior high schools to the senior high school building next year, the board is weighing the options as to what action should be taken to address future needs.

The transfer of students will significantly impact the building population at the two junior high schools and a similar effect will take place should grade levels in the elementary buildings be undertaken.

To address the needs, the current board is asking for public input and reviewing prior studies to formulate a plan.

“Personally, I would like to see a short-term plan that focuses on consolidation and the betterment of educating our students,” said Jon Detwiler, board president. “The plan that we agree on needs to have the flexibility to facilitate future consolidations and educational enhancements within our district.”

Detwiler said that with new hiring practices, curriculum changes and improved testing scores and morale, the district is on an upswing and any decisions must continue in that direction.

“We need to ensure that our actions only add to this trend, not send us back to where we started,” he said.

The plans and a summary of the recommendations being considered by the board include:

n A 1994 renovation building study compiled by a public Citizens’ Advisory Board. The conclusion of the year-long study by the advisory panel was to renovate and enlarge the senior high school and move the freshmen to the building; renovate Junior High East and use it for grades 7 and 8; renovate and enlarge Bullskin Township, C.N. Pritts, Dunbar Township and Zachariah Connell elementary schools to accommodate all elementary students; close Connellsville Township, Dunbar Borough South Side and Springfield elementary schools, Junior High West and the administrative offices at the Crawford School building and convert the Connellsville Township building into the administrative office and central supply depot.

n District building analysis plan prepared in 2008 by Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates of Mechanicsburg. The scope of the study was to review building conditions and capacity levels should Connellsville Township, South Side and Dunbar Township elementary buildings be closed and reconfigure grade levels to a kindergarten through grade 4; a middle school of grades 5-8 and a senior high of grades 9-12.

n A master facility plan prepared by MGT of America of Olympia, Wash., in 2010. While several options were presented, the recommendation was to close Connellsville Township and South Side elementary schools, reconfigure grade levels and renovate schools over a period of several years.

n Last year, various individuals, current and former board members and the administration offered a multitude of options for consideration. The plans were submitted at the board’s request and offered an array of scenarios for closures and grade realignment.

The plans in their entirety are on the district website at www.casdfalcons.org.