The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Tuesday, October 10, 2000

WEST MIDDLESEX

Board has 7 options for school renovation


Michelle Krouse
Herald Writer

The Property Committee of West Middlesex school board Monday presented seven renovation plans, ranging from $5.2 to $10.8 million, for the school board and the public to consider.

Greer Hayden, an architect with HHSDR, Architects/Engineers, Sharon, -- which has won most of the area’s school renovation contracts -- described the options.

Hayden outlined some of the 38-year-old building’s structural deficiencies, such as the need for a new roof, windows, heating and ventilation systems. He also said security, asbestos removal, communication technology and handicap accessibility must be addressed.

Another consideration is enrollment, which is declining slightly but which could change with future development of the community, Hayden said. Use of space is also a concern, special programs such as computers, science and art are utilizing makeshift areas, Hayden said.

The seven plans range in size from a simple renovation of Oakview, to building a completely new building. Some include additions to the high school and connecting Oakview to Luther Low Elementary School.

All of the options included work on the roof, windows, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, handicap accessibility security improvements, play areas and redesigned space and traffic flow.

Hayden stressed that at this point, "these plans are very conceptual and can be changed."

Costs are based on construction and design estimates, a 30 year loan, Pennsylvania Department of Education reimbursement, and a current average of real estate tax of $767 per year, according to Tom Kinney, a representative from H-T Capitol Markets, a division of Hefren Tillotson, Inc., of Pittsburgh.

Kinney said there are alternatives to raising taxes and that any increase will probably not "come in one fell swoop ..."

The options, their price tags and what Kinney and Hayden said the expected tax burden to pay for them are:

  • Option 1 -- $5.2 million -- 11 mills or $62 more per taxpayer each year; basic improvement of the current building with addition of library and band area.

  • Option 2 -- $6.8 million -- 16 mills or $94 increase per year; includes option 1 and a physical education facility and gym added to the high school’s east side.

  • Option 3 -- $6.8 million -- 16 mills or $94 per year; adding a large multi-purpose room, library and band area.

  • Option 4 -- $7.2 million -- 18 mills or $103 per year; similar to option 3 with the addition of a canopy connect to Luther Low.

  • Option 5 -- $10.8 million -- 25 mills or $146 per year, similar to option four however, the building will connect with Luther Low and then the same renovation improvements would be made on both buildings.

  • Option 6 -- $10 million -- 22 millls or $129 per year; same as option 5 except for $900,000 cut from construction to meet the Department of Education’s cap on reimbursements at $10 million.

  • Option 7 -- $7.4 million -- 18 mills or $105 per year; ;a new Oakview building developed to the north and west of present facility.

    Hayden said construction should take approximately 15 months. If the board decides on a plan this month, construction could begin in August 2001. However, if they decide in November, there would be an October 2001 start date.

    The board is holding a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Luther Low to make a decision on renovations.

    About 60 residents, teachers and administrators came out to hear the plans. Chairman Thomas Hubert said the meeting was intended to gather feedback on the plans and wasn’t required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

    Bob Morris, teacher and athletic director lobbied for the new gym. He said he was "disturbed when the gym was thrown out of the last renovation ... when the hatchet falls because of money, it falls on the kids." He received applause at the end of his comments.

    Hubert added, "there is a lot that goes into a project. No matter what we do it will be better than what we have."



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