Board expands renovation project for middle school

The Mars Area school board on Tuesday approved expanding renovation of the middle school, and accepted proposals from firms to design the renovations.

The board accepted proposals from Eckles for $286,905 for architectural services; CJL Engineering for $289,500 for civil engineering; and McFarland Kistler for $289,500 to design the food services area.

An architect usually does all three services, but Jon Thomas of Thomas & Williamson, construction managers for the project, said this “alternative contract” approach makes more sense.

Eckles and CJL will each design 49 percent of the project, with McFarland Kistler picking up the remaining 2 percent.

The board also approved additional improvements for the project. They include widening the corridors, new lockers and relocating the nurse, art room, family and consumer science, robotics and other classrooms.

The additional work is estimated at $2.2 million, bringing the project’s total estimate to $12.4 million.

Mars Area is using district funds for the renovation. The board previously scrapped plans to demolish half of the building and construct an addition.

That plan would have involved a bond issue, thus adding to the district’s debt.

In other business, the board approved work from Air Duct Maintenance Inc. for duct cleaning services at the elementary school at a cost of $24,595.

Parents of elementary school students complained last month about a weird smell in the building.

Mold was discovered in the rooftop building that houses the heating and air conditioning equipment.

Superintendent Wes Shipley said the smell went away on Oct. 2, but having the ducts cleaned was “the final step to make sure there is nothing there.”

Air Duct Maintenance began cleaning the ducts on Oct. 31, and is working nights and weekends. Mr. Shipley said he polled board members ahead of time to make sure there was support for the work so they could start before the board meeting.