The Keystone School Board on Monday unanimously approved a change order to the guaranteed energy savings project with Pittsburgh-area-based McClure Co. for the high school heating and air-conditioning upgrade and expansion in the amount of $110,850. The funds will be taken from the capital reserve fund.
At the July board meeting, McClure’s Eric Petrazio said the project would include detailed plans for the elementary school renovations, and that the classrooms would be upgraded with the installation of digital controls, windows and doors. The wall panels were “beyond their useful life.”
Forty-nine unit ventilators will be installed as part of the project, with an average lifespan of 20 to 30 years. The large common areas, the gym and cafeteria were not included.
Board member Dustin Swartfager, in reporting for the building and grounds committee, said prep work, such as wiring, would begin soon and that materials for the project are moving in.
Swartfager also reported the aging high school boiler could again be patched, but replacement of the unit is inevitable.
Other business
It retroactively approved advertising for a junior high girls volleyball head coach, appointed Dustin Swartfager as varsity volunteer baseball coach, appointed Tom Bowser as varsity softball volunteer coach, appointed Chad Nellis as varsity softball volunteer coach, and approved the posting for a unified bocce intramural coach. There was no motion to hire Stush Antoszyk as assistant baseball coach.
Assistant High School Principal Jason Best reported the Athletic Committee recommended a minimum participation guideline for all the sports offered. The minimum participation levels for varsity sports are: football, 18; volleyball, 10; boys and girls cross-country, five; boys and girls soccer, 15; boys and girls golf, five; cheerleading, seven; basketball, 10; baseball 15; softball, 12; and boys and girls track and field, 12. Best said the levels were set after consultation with coaches in each sport.
Superintendent Michael Hall reported the district has received a grant for school safety, which will be used to install panic buttons in the schools and for behavioral services, and that counselors will be hired on a part-time basis.
Board member Ken Swartfager acknowledged the need for counselors, but asked what would happen at the end of the one-year grant. Hall said the grant would give one year to develop a plan for the future.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m. March 18 in the elementary school library. The board’s April meeting will be held at the Clarion County Career Center in Shippenville.