EF approves $74M plan for high school reconstruction
In other business
According to the school board, a significant portion of the project will be covered by insurance from last year’s fire and grants.
The Elizabeth Forward School District board on Wednesday unanimously approved a $74 million plan for the reconstruction of Elizabeth Forward High School.
The reconstruction of the high school was prompted after a fire last year destroyed the auditorium and shuttered the rest of the school for two months.
“This is our opportunity to change the future of Elizabeth Forward for the next 30 to 40 years, this is going to put us in a position to have a high school that’s safe and comfortable,” Superintendent Keith Konyk said. “It’s going to allow us to do incredible things educationally for the next 50 years, long after I’m gone.”
The board awarded five contracts to Rycon Construction, First American Industries, Vrabel Plumbing, Moses Electric and Lugalia Mechanical.
Each company will be handle different projects during the reconstruction, ranging from general construction services to HVAC upgrades.
“The selected contractors will work together on major renovations, including constructing a physical plant for all mechanical and utility services, a state-of-the-art auditorium with adjacent band and choral rooms, a new gymnasium and locker rooms, and a new main entrance and lobby,” according to a statement from the board.
The cost of construction will be $52,927,000 with an additional $14,508,000 being used for new furniture, audiovisual equipment, IT infrastructure, permits and other project needs.
“This is a major decision that this board is not taking lightly, but it should be noted that this decision is the result of hard work conducted over the past 17 months since the fire. Tonight, we begin a new chapter in the history of our great school district,” said board President Thomas Sharkey.
“We have made smart fiscal decisions over the past decade that afford us the opportunity to build our high school back better than it was before. With insurance payouts, we can rebuild at a significant discount and improve upon a well-constructed building.”
According to the board, a significant part of the project will be covered by insurance and grants that the district is applying for.
According to Sharkey, the board has applied for up to three grants with the highest being $10 million.
“We do incredible things with technology. We’re well known for that all over the country. And this is going to bring our building along with some of the technology advances that we’ve had,” Konyk said.
Also during the meeting Wednesday, the board approved a fire tax credit for volunteer members of fire companies and nonprofit medical service agencies.
According to Sharkey, after discussing it with Elizabeth Township Commissioner Chris Thoma, they thought it would be a good idea to do this for the volunteer members, especially after last year’s incident.
To qualify, a volunteer must be a member of the Elizabeth Borough Fire Co., Elizabeth Township Fire Co., Forward Township Fire Co., or a nonprofit medical service agency.
Each member who qualifies will be eligible for a real property tax credit of a maximum of $300.
In other business the board hired the following:
• Kelli Garlow as principal for Elizabeth Forward High School for the upcoming school year.
• Daniel Harrold as an assistant principal for Elizabeth Forward High School.
• Michael Joyce as an assistant principal for Elizabeth Forward High School.
Ladimir Garcia / Mon Valley Independent
