Dec 20, 2017 2 min read

Belle Vernon School Board on Monday authorized seeking bids for the second and third phases of a facility improvement project throughout the district.

The board voted unanimously to seek bids for Phase 2 and Phase 3 for facilities improvements. Phase 1 of the project includes emergency sewer line repair at the middle school for $550,000, a new fire alarm system at the high school at a cost of $350,000 and the completion of roof replacements on district buildings at a cost of $1,060,000.

President Lou Rood said as part of Phase 1 a hallway attached to the former Rostraver Middle School and will also be demolished, along with an old athletic building that Rood said dates to 1971 and has “been crumbling for a few years now.”

Phase 2 of the project will include improvements such as paving at the high school, middle school and elementary school as well as gym floor renovation at elementary school and other repairs to the facilities throughout the district. Rood said this phase should be completed by the start of 2018-2019 school year.

Phase 3 will include various repairs such as heating and cooling system updates, lighting updates and an addition to the middle school restrooms and showers in addition to other repairs. Those updates should be completed by August.

The board also added an on-site inspection and a proposal to install an elevator at the middle school. Superintendent John Wilkinson said the last time the district got an estimate for that work, it was $150,000. Wilkinson said there are no students now attending the middle school who need this accommodation, but that could change.

The board authorized the solicitor to file a civil suit against Terreta Dance Company and Amber Terreta to recover $3,660 in unpaid facilities fees and legal costs for use of district facilities June 16 and 17. Solicitor Hobie Webster said the district has sent certified letters but has not been successful in contacting her, and has not choice but to file suit to recover the money.