Feb 20, 2014 3 min read

CARMICHAELS – The estimated $25 million renovation project for the Carmichaels Area Jr./Sr. High School was the topic of discussion at the district’s school board meeting Thursday.

Multiple motions regarding the project passed. Board member Ed McIntire, who voted against four construction related decisions, noted he was not a member of the board when the project came to a vote.

“I have a problem with a project that goes forward without public involvement, no public meetings and how the construction manager was hired,” McIntire said. “I just think when you are spending $25 million without public input or some type of involvement; I have a problem with that.”

The motions McIntire voted against were leases of modular classrooms and construction trailers; a certification in lieu of agency approvals, permits and service availability letters; and PlanCon Part F construction documents.

Board members Pete Shlosky and Melodie Berardi also voted against the construction trailer lease in the amount of $895 a month from Mobile Lease Modular Space, Inc.

The company is also providing modular classrooms or learning cottages lease for $4,000 a month.

Board member Jerry Simkovic voted for the motion because it came within a reduced overall budget for the project.

Tom Ricco, board president, expressed concern with make-up snow days biting into an already tight construction schedule. The district exhausted all of its make-up days.

Currently, graduation would take place, June 9. Ricco asked if it could be moved to June 6, opening up three additional days for construction work. A major concern is completing the cafeteria portion of the project before the 2014-15 school year.

District business manager Amy Todd said she would run the numbers again to be sure.

The board named assistant acting Superintendent John Menhart as its replacement for outgoing Superintendent Craig Baily, who is retiring in June. Menhart will receive $106,000 a year under the five-year contract. Menhart will be the fifth superintendent in the district’s history. Menhart is a graduate of the district. He is currently in his 36th year working at Carmichaels.

In other matters, the board accepted the retirement notice of third grade teacher Gary Block and his resignation as the elementary basketball program coordinator, both effective at the end of the school year.

Under athletics and activities, board member Richard Krause was approved as an extra baseball coach in the district with no remuneration.

In financial related matters, the board approved its contribution of $5,753.21 to the 2014-15 Intermediate Unit 1 budget of $2,065,765. It is a decrease of $1,229.08 for the school district.

The board opted to continue its participation in the Western Pennsylvania Natural Gas Consortium for the purchase of natural gas for up to a three year term, commencing with service after the final meter reading in August 2015.

The final basis or transportation price will be below the current rate and determined from competitive quotes.

Carmichaels is one of 116 participating school districts in Southwestern Pennsylvania in the consortium from seven Intermediate Units that saved $2.3 million for the 2012-13 fiscal year. The consortium gives the participants leverage when securing proposals from gas suppliers.

Additionally, the board approved a six-year lease with Keystone Posting for the lighted billboard near the Route 88 entrance to the school property in the amount of $1,000 annually. The board will be removed during construction and replaced at its completion by Keystone Posting at no additional cost to the district.