School renovation changes lower cost
CONNELLSVILLE — The multi-million-dollar high school renovation project cost was somewhat reduced Wednesday with the Connellsville Area School District directors approving change orders for electrical work.
According to John Pappas, Eckles Construction Service Inc. vice-president and project manager, the nearly $122,000 cost reduction was due to less costly but comparable materials being used for electrical service and certain duct work for the wiring.
Westmoreland Electric Inc. of Tarrs is one of several subcontractors for the $41 million project that began in May and will continue through 2013.
Jon Detwiler, board president, questioned the change tied to the wiring noting the quality of the equipment in the original contract.
“We want it done right,” he said.
By a 6-1 vote, the change orders were approved with Detwiler casting the lone dissenting vote to the wiring substitution. Supporting the action was directors Francis Mongell, Denise Martin, Tom Dolde, Kevin Lape, Dr. Paul Means and Dr. P.J. Carte. Directors Gary Wandel and Jim Fabian were absent from the meeting.
In a related matter, the board also approved change orders from general contractor Walter Mucci Construction Co. Inc. of Perryopolis, costing about $11,000.
Pappas said that the change orders were tied to the construction of a manhole, grading for a utility sump pit and the purchase of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) approved tile for certain specialty areas.
The board unanimously approved the changes.
Overall, said Pappas, the project is “moving along.”
Walls for the new administration area, library and science addition are being erected along with the east entrance of the building.
Pappas admitted that some areas are behind schedule. However, contractors have made efforts to recover.
“There are more people on the job,” said Pappas. “(The contractor) brought in a crane and things are starting to move ahead.”
Other areas are on track or ahead of schedule, he added.
“The main goal for October is to get the structural steel installed and the roofs on so that the additions will start to be weather tight and get the parking lots paved,” said Pappas.
Turning to other matters, the board also conducted the following business:
n Appointed Dr. Gina Canada as athletic physician at a cost of $4,800.
n Hired Andrew Snyder as the Junior High East assistant wrestling coach at a salary of $1,953.
n Added Peggy Shultz, Brenda Leszczynski, Justine Sommers and Hannah Gearhart to the professional substitute list and Donna Cook, Danielle Mitchell, Charity Patterson, Karrie Richter and Kelly Steyer to the support professional substitute list.
n Hired doctors Dale Cadwallader, Joseph Chomiak, Frank Jacobyansky, Gerry Perez and Jim Young as district dental examiners at a cost of 85 cents per examination.