BVA hears 3 options for possible school consolidation

They all involve closing the elementary schools and moving students into the other buildings.

Belle Vernon Area school board members were presented with several options for consolidating district schools on Tuesday, continuing longstanding discussions about renovating or upgrading some of their facilities.

During the work session, two Pittsburgh area architectural firms, Core Architects and SiteLogiQ, presented the school board with three consolidation options. All options involved demolishing the district’s elementary schools and merging some students in the middle school building and others at the high school.

Superintendent Dr. Timothy Glasspool emphasized that the options are just a starting point to begin discussions about what to do about some of the buildings that are at capacity or deteriorating.

In October, the board authorized Core Architects to draw up plans for the use of some of the buildings, with Rostraver and Marion elementary schools being among the main concerns.

The first option presented by the architectural firms was to close and eventually demolish both elementary schools and build a two-story addition onto the middle school so it can accommodate grades K-5. That option also involves a two-story addition for the high school so it can accommodate grades 6-12.

The elementary schools would also be demolished in the second option, while the middle school would get a bigger two-story addition to accommodate grades K-6. A one-story addition would enable the high school to fit grades 7-12.

The third option calls for a larger addition to the middle school so it can fit grades K-7. The high school would not require an addition and would include grades 8-12.

Option 1 has a low-range cost of $53.6 million and a high of around $59 million.

Option 2 has a low-range cost of $50.8 million and a high of around $56.2 million.

Option 3 has a low-range cost of $47.4 million and a high of around $52.3 million.

A proposal between Core Architects and the district stated that BVA has a borrowing capacity of around $70 million for the capital project.

Some concerns raised by school board members included whether it’s an appropriate amount of money to spend, putting older kids with elementary students in school buses and the need for the firms to provide a more diverse number of options.

Glasspool wants to eventually further involve residents of the district, but said they’re still in very early discussions and are deciding on the best way to move forward. Last year, the district had a town hall to seek input from families on how to tackle the issue.

“I think that as we get a better direction, whether we’re going to do consolidation, new construction or nothing, I will again,” Glasspool said. “We will always rope in the public for thoughts and ideas. We’re not going to do anything without talking to as many people as we can. So that’ll be faculty meetings, that’ll be PTA meetings, that’ll be town hall meetings, hopefully a public survey if necessary. We’ll try to get as much input as possible.”

Glasspool suggested gathering the board’s operations committee to further discuss the issue and brainstorm ideas.

New Director William Hrach said the best thing for the board is to develop a plan so the district can be prepared in the upcoming years.

“I think it was echoed by outgoing (members) stating that nothing was done as far as creating a plan over a four-year period,” Hrach said. “I think I echo everybody’s sentiments in that we’re not going to let four years go by and not have a plan or a direction, whether that be when our schools are done in five years, 10 years, 100 years, there needs to be a constructive plan.”

The options presented Tuesday carry a projected completion by 2028. Glasspool, however, said he doesn’t have an answer as to when the board could take official action to begin any sort of plan.