Sep 15, 2014 3 min read

JEFFERSON – Jefferson-Morgan School Board has come up with a list of priorities for building improvements needed at the middle-senior high school.

At a meeting Monday, Bob Mitchell, chairman of the board’s building and grounds committee, announced the priorities for a school improvement project which, he said, were developed by his committee after numerous meetings.

The board was considering renovating the school and had its architect complete a feasibility study of needed improvements.

After reviewing the study, however, the board agreed a complete renovation would cost more than what the district could afford. It then decided to consider what parts of the project could be done, addressing the most pressing needs while staying within the district’s budget.

The priorities for the building, Mitchell said, are first, to complete replacement of the roof; second, replace windows with new energy efficient models and third, replace the heating system with the addition of air conditioning.

The district earlier this year replaced a portion of the roof over the auditorium and gymnasium because of numerous leaks and its poor condition at a cost of $217,600.

Maintenance supervisor Scott Lafferty reported Monday he was working to repair additional leaks on the old portion of the roof. He noted, however, the roof’s condition is getting to the point at which the roofing material is starting to break down.

Lafferty said he was working to seal leaks in two areas and if successful believed the patches would last through the winter.

Mitchell said the committee felt comfortable the scaled-down project would be within the district’s means. The board earlier reviewed various options with the architect and a financial consultant and the proposed project would cost “in the ballpark” of $5 million, which would be financed by a loan or bond issue, he said.

The board earmarked $150,000 for the project in its current budget adopted in June and noted then it would consider how much money the district could borrow with annual payments of that amount.

A meeting was scheduled for Oct. 14 with the architect, Tom Durkin of Valentour, English, Bodnar and Howell, to discuss the project.

Mitchell also reported a meeting will be held with Jefferson Borough to discuss repairs to sidewalks in the borough. The sidewalks are used by students in emergency evacuations and in some places they are in need of repair, he said.

Board member Cindy Jento also reported the district is in need of a business to sponsor its Challenge Grant program. Alpha Natural Resources sponsored the student scholarships, but has indicated it could no continue to do so.

It was announced the elementary school open house will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 2; and the middle-senior high school open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 9.