Board to vote on next step toward $10M expansion
The SpringFord Area School Board will vote on whether to approve the next step toward a possible $10 million expansion of the high school following the Dec. 5 reorganization meeting.
The administration recommends approval to enter into the American Institute of Architects agreement involving the performing arts and fitness areas addition as presented at the Sept. 19 board meeting. Board approval would allow the administration to move onto the schematic design phase of the project for total design and cost as per the agreement.
The current design, created by the architecture firm Crabtree, Rohrbach and Associates, calls for a 24,000-squarefoot expansion of the school. Included would be a 14,000-square-foot fitness center and a 9,800-square-foot performing arts center attached on the eastern side of the nearly 400,000-square-foot building. The project, according to the proposal, would provide more space for the 2,400 students to use and could also handle the district’s continued population growth in years to come. Estimated construction costs
for the work range from a low of $7.8 million to a high of $9.3 million. The entire board presentation is available online to view along with the slide show presentation.
At the Nov. 21 meeting, board Vice President Joe Ciresi briefly discussed the recommendation listed on the agenda, but said he needed more information before he was ready to make a decision. Solic- itor Mark Fitzgerald said at that meeting the district was still in negotiations with Crabtree and wasn’t confident the board would be able to vote on a contract in time for the Nov. 28 meeting.
“I would like to come back with a virtually complete … contract that could be approved subject to final approval by the solicitor’s office,” he said at the time. “With a number that would be fixed to it based on the fact that we would be phasing under this agreement.”
That appears to have been too lofty a goal, con- sidering the holiday break and other factors. So now the board will make its decision following the reorganization meeting Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
At Monday’s meeting, board President Tom DiBello said he wanted to begin planning a town hall meeting to discuss the project and dispel any rumors surrounding it.
“Invite the public, give them the opportunity to understand what’s going on, why decisions are being made the way they are, what the short term and long term goals are,” he said. “Really understand. Instead of making decisions based on what they heard at the local diner or whatever it may be, understand what’s confronting this district and what we feel we should or shouldn’t do.”
DiBello said he wanted to use the town hall as an opportunity for those opposed to the proposed expansion to come and voice their opinions.
“Also it will kill the rumor mill once and for all,” Ciresi added. “The public will understand what’s being proposed.”