Sep 22, 2012 By Antonia L. Cekada for Heraldstandard.Com 2 min read

CARMICHAELS — Carmichaels Area School Board voted Thursday to submit an application for reimbursement to the state for a major renovation project.

“We are anticipating about $7million of reimbursement funds,” said Superintendent Craig Baily.

Hayes Design Group of Bridgeville presented its findings to the board prior to the regular meeting.

The board later unanimously agreed to submit the application to the state, one week early. Baily said he will submit the form himself Monday morning.

This will be the first time the district has applied for state reimbursement for a major renovation, said Baily.

“We want the public to take ownership,” he said. “We want people to ask questions and get informed. All input is welcome.”

Baily said his feels preservation is an important aspect of the project.

“Nothing is being torn down, instead we are preserving the buildings and renovating them to become state-of-the-art,” he said.

The board voted last month to renovate the 1928 junior high and the 1965 high school as one project, and to renovate the 1990 elementary in a separate endeavor.

The board made that decision in an effort to save the district money.

The elementary school renovation is being considered a separate project to be eligible for more state reimbursement money.

Hayes said last month that the cost to renovate the elementary as a joint project would be $2 million. However, if the building were considered a separate project and exceeded $3 million, the district would be eligible for more reimbursement money from the state.

“The scope of the project has to equal 20 percent of the value of the building to be eligible,” said Hayes.

The total cost of both projects is expected to be between $16 million and $18 million after state subsidies have been subtracted.

Board members Melodie Berardi and Ron Ferek were absent from Thursday’s meeting.