Canon-Mac high school renovations delay school
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Superintendent Michael Daniels talks Monday about the renovations at Canon-McMillan High School.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Construction workers Pete Rupe, left, and Jeremiah Wessing work on renovations Monday at Canon-McMillan High School.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
John Lubarski installs a new floor Monday as part of the renovations at Canon-McMillan High School.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Bradley Hrne rebricks a wall Monday during renovations at Canon-McMillan High School.
CANONSBURG – One week after the Canon-McMillan School District announced a delayed start of school due to construction at the high school, there’s a “sense of urgency” to finish up the renovation project.
“I think we might be OK,” high school principal David Helinski said Monday. “There are more people here today and there seems to be a sense of urgency.”
The $18 million renovation and expansion project, which began in June 2017, added several new spaces to the exiting building while improving existing classrooms, labs, hallways and the cafeteria.
Superintendent Michael Daniels said the completion date written into the contract was Aug. 27, what was supposed to be the district’s first day of school. Daniels said as that day creeps up, “it doesn’t look like we’re going to be done on time.”
Daniels sent out a notification to parents and the community Aug. 7, informing them that the start day would be delayed “by at least one week, possibly two.”
Right now, desks, chairs, computers and other school supplies line the dusty halls of the high school. Some rooms don’t have floors yet, others are missing ceilings or windows.
Daniels said he has biweekly construction meetings with supervisors of the eight-phase project.
Last week the district put the general contractor “on alert that we may consider liquidated damages” for being late in finishing the project, he said. He said he’s optimistic the district will be able to start Sept. 4, but “we’re at the mercy of the contractors.”
The delay isn’t expected to affect programs in the district, Daniels said. He said the district’s students who attend Western Area Career and Technology Center were issued parking permits, since the district won’t be providing their transportation for the first week due to the start delay. He said parochial school students will still receive transportation regardless of the start day, as mandated by law.
Daniels said the district decided to delay all grade levels for contractual reasons, because some teachers are shared among grades and buildings.
Helinski said he is hopeful the delay won’t go beyond a week or it could affect the district’s plans for graduation and students planning to start college courses early next year.
Daniels said the project was started due to the district’s projected growth in the past few years. He said student needs were at the forefront, including additional student lockers and parking.
“The question was, ‘What do we need to do to accommodate students and provide for their needs?'” he said. “The lockers have been an issue for a number of years in that we haven’t had enough lockers for students.”
The renovations also include improved security features at the front entrance.
Daniels said the building’s communication and fire safety features have been completed, along with the new auditorium.
He said when it is time for students to return, “they’ll be excited” for the renovations and the new features.