Oct 17, 2014 4 min read

CARMICHAELS – Carmichaels Area School Board took action Thursday on a number of agenda items pertaining to the junior-senior high school renovation project.

Among other things, the board approved the scope of work for auditorium improvements, financial arrangements for the purchase of new technology equipment and change orders.

Last month, the board expressed frustration over delays in the completion of the new junior-senior high cafeteria and kitchen.

Though the matter was not discussed Thursday, Superintendent John Menhart said later the cafeteria and kitchen will be ready by Friday, as was stated at the last meeting.

After its completion, the kitchen area will be stocked and training conducted by the staff. Students will start using the new cafeteria Nov. 3, he said. The cafeteria was originally to be completed Aug. 15. The date was later pushed back to Sept. 15 and then to Oct. 24.

Menhart also reported work on the junior high school is progressing well. Before, he said, the interior of the building was primarily being taken apart; now, workers have started to put things back together.

Timothy Sheldon, senior student representative, told the board students, at first, were a little afraid of all the construction but now everything seems normal.

When he and another senior student representative, Jessica Joyner, were asked whether they prefer eating lunch in the gym, which students have been doing as work proceeded on the cafeteria, or in the old cafeteria, both said they like the gym.

Board member Jerry Simkovic thanked the students for their patience and apologized for the inconveniences caused by the renovation.

The board approved a scope of work for improvements in the auditorium that will include replacing flooring and carpeting and upgrades to the electrical system. Seats in the lower level also will be replaced. Seats that are removed that are still in good condition will replace older ones in the upper level.

Improvements to the auditorium, estimate at $230,000, were originally not included in contracts the board awarded in March, but were added after the overall bids for the renovation project came in about $1.5 million under budget.

The board approved borrowing $200,000 from PNC Bank for new technology equipment for the renovated buildings that includes network infrastructure, wireless equipment and other hardware.

The cost of the equipment will not be covered by the money from the bonds that were issued for the renovation but will be paid from the general fund and the technology budget, business manager Amy Todd said.

The board also approved an agreement with Skelley and Loy at a cost of $54,155 to conduct air monitoring in the building during the renovation work.

In other business, the board authorized The Hayes Design Group to begin developing the schematic design for renovations to the elementary school. Work at the elementary will start after the junior-senior high renovations are completed.

Cheryl Voytek and several members of Carmichaels Women’s Civic Club addressed the board asking it to consider reinstating arts classes in the elementary school.

Menhart said later the district eliminated the program this year. Previously, one teacher taught art in the elementary and students had art once a week. Art is now integrated into regular classroom activities, he said.

The board officially approved Menhart’s five-year contract. Menhart was hired in July to replace Craig Baily, who retired in June.

Menhart is the fifth superintendent in the district’s history. He is a Carmichaels Area graduate and has worked in the district for 36 years.

The board appointed board member Dr. Richard Krause head baseball coach. Krause will not be compensated for the work. Menhart noted later Krause served as a volunteer coach in the district for many years.

He replaces Scott Van Sickle, who left to become an assistant coach at Waynesburg University. Board member Ed McIntire voted no and Ken Ganocy abstained.

The board also approved a senior trip Feb. 19 and 20 to Savannah, Ga. Ganocy voted no, saying he believed it was too far to travel.