Published Friday, April 12, 2002
JAMESTOWN
§ § §
Crowd turns out to hear about $7.5-million plan
Herald Staff Writer
Residents of Jamestown Area School District expressed mixed feelings Thursday about a $7.5 million high school renovation project.
About 300 people turned out for a public meeting to learn more about the renovation, which has been in the planning stage for two years.
According to school officials, local taxes could cover $5.6 million of the cost and $1.86 million could come from the state with the possibility of an additional $207,000 from other sources. These amounts would phase in over seven fiscal years, said Chris Gibbons, the school's financial adviser.
While some residents praised the school board's efforts, other residents shared different opinions. During public comments, several seniors expressed resentment toward the project, calling for a separate tax increase for the elderly who already have prescriptions to pay for.
Other residents claimed that the tax averages and construction figures didn't add up. One resident asked for a show of hands to see how many of the residents actually fit the tax the average and one woman raised her hand.
Other residents said they wanted better facilities for their kids. One parent said she didn't mind a tax increase because her "kids are worth it"
Cindy Williams of South Shenango Township in Crawford County said "I have a daughter who is in junior high right now, so this will affect us in some shape or form."
"I agree we should do the updating, but I'm unsure of the amount they want to spend. If it's not available in the community I think they should spend within a budget," she said.
"It'll be interesting to see how it all plays out," Mrs. Williams added.
If approved, the timeline shows construction beginning in spring 2003 and continuing for 18 months. Hallgren, Restifo, Loop and Coughlin of Erie would do the renovations. HRLC did past renovations for the elementary school.
The high school, which was designed in the '40s, was last renovated in 1983.
Superintendent David Shaffer said two options are currently under consideration:
According to millage projections, the renovations would cost the average Mercer County resident a $104 tax increase and an average of $55 for Crawford County residents over a 7-year period. Currently the average Mercer resident pays $616 in taxes for a home assessed at $13,363. The average tax bill a Crawford resident pays is $335 for a home assessed at $10,083.
High School Principal Michael Krepps gave residents a list of the school's needs. Among them were new science rooms, which Krepps said were among the "most pressing."
"This isn't like fine wine, aged cheese or a Van Gogh painting where it becomes more valuable with age," Krepps said to the crowded auditorium.
"The attitude of 'it was good enough for me, so it should be good enough for my kids' just won't cut it. Let's not deny our young people their future while we continue to indulge ourselves."
He added that Jamestown Elementary School's science rooms were better equipped than the high school's.
The high school has 16 classrooms, including a single science room with a lab and one consumer science room. Two of the classrooms, not designed for computer technology house computer labs., and share the space with regular classes, Krepps said.
Other needs addressed by the renovation plans include: inadequate gymnasium space, parking, kitchen and cafeteria space, library space, expanded security at entrances, office areas, elevators, restrooms, locker rooms and storage rooms. Renovations would also provide the public access to the library, a large group instructional area, the cafeteria and kitchen, the gym and the weight room.
Every 20 years, school districts are permitted to receive state funding and renovate facilities, according to the Department of Education. The 20-year period for Jamestown takes effect in Spring 2003.
The district has about $900,000 on hand, which is enough to cover the first phase of construction, but if the two phase project isn't approved, the district wouldn't be reimbursed for the $900,000 amount."(The project) is entirely at the mercy of the state's approval. They must approve it first," schools Shaffer told residents throughout the meeting.
Plans for the first phase include redesigning the entrance and office area to allow for a buzz system for visitors; constructing science labs and renovating the middle school computer lab space. The second phase would incorporate the rest of the projected renovations.
The second phase includes: renovation of classrooms; new lighting; additions for a cafeteria and kitchen; additions for three conference rooms; conversion of existing cafeteria and kitchen into a library/media center; additions for a new gymnasium and weight room; additions for a small group instruction room, which would be wired for distance learning; and renovated space to allow for three special education classrooms, two bigger classrooms and space for the an instructional support program.