The Keystone School Board was told there is an immediate need for renovations to Keystone Elementary School.
That information came during the board’s meeting Monday night from Eric Petrazio, of Wexford-based McClure Co., who proposed the classrooms be upgraded with the installation of digital controls, windows and doors, and that the wall panels are “beyond their useful life.”
Petrazio said 49 unit ventilators would be installed. The lifespan of the units is usually 20 to 30 years, but the school has had the units for far longer. The large common areas, the gym and cafeteria, were not included in the proposal.
Petrazio said the blinds in some rooms had been replaced and the project would match all of the blinds matching the ones in the front of the building. Some of the wall panels were “falling off” and would be replaced. The glass in the area would be removed, resulting in energy saving.
Petrazio said the proposal had been completed after rigorous consultation with the administration, and that there would be no cost to the district unless the board approves the work.
Petrazio said the work would commence in June and be completed within two months.
The board is expected to vote on the project at its August meeting.
Other business
Neil Seal will do seal coating at the lower high school parking lot at a cost of $5,000.
Deible Landscaping will do sidewalk replacement at a cost of $9,937. Deible also will do ditching at the baseball field at a cost of $12,100. The cost of these projects will be taken from the capital reserve fund.
The board approved purchase of elementary classroom desks and chairs from Virco at a cost of $4,800, with funds from the capital reserve fund.
Representatives from the Keystone Music Association presented the board with a request for new uniforms due to the increased number of participants in the band program.
The band, color guard and dance team will have 108 students involved from grades 7 through 12. The band boosters requested new uniforms for the 25-member drum line. Other band members will use the old uniforms. The color guard also is in need of uniforms, but the dance team has enough uniforms.
The board will cover the complete cost of the uniforms. In addition, the board directed the business manager to add a line item to the 2024-25 budget to begin an account for the purchase of new band uniforms.
Superintendent Michael Hall said due to the lack of numbers, Keystone would not have a boys soccer team this year. The district had reached out to other districts to form a co-op, but those efforts were not successful.
The board approved changes to the student handbook. The dress code now forbids the display of any undergarment and the wearing of an A-line (tank top) shirt.
The board discussed changing the eligibility for students to participate in all extra-curricular activities. Students must maintain a grade average of at least 70% to be eligible.
The next board meeting on Aug. 14 will be a combination of the work session and regular business meeting.