Support apparent for new Chartiers Valley schools

If there is opposition to spending $88.5 million on new schools in the Chartiers Valley School District, it wasn't on display at this week's initial public hearing.

New middle and high schools would be built where the old ones are on Thoms Run Road in Collier. District leaders decided to plan new schools after starting a study of facilities in 2013.

Those who spoke at Tuesday's hearing — teachers and parents — described buildings with faulty heating and air conditioning and leaky roofs.

“At some point, repairing things becomes fruitless,” said Mark McAleer, a high school teacher.

School district administrators concurred. Renovating and replacing infrastructure is not really a long-term solution, Superintendent Brian White told the audience of about 50.

One of the options presented in the facilities study was a renovation of the existing schools. That would cost $29 million, and the repairs would last six to 10 years, White said.

“That was the lowest (priced) plan presented. It is not a long-term fix,” he said.

The few residents who spoke at the hearing have students in the schools and support construction of new schools.

The current middle school and high school opened as a high school in 1973.

Although the exteriors and most public spaces appear to be in adequate condition, the heating, cooling and electrical systems, along with plumbing infrastructure and roofs, are deficient and need costly repairs, school officials say.

The new buildings would be built in phases so that students would not have to attend classes in mobile units.

“It will be beneficial to our children and the community at-large. It will also save money in the long term,” said resident Norman Hargraves, the parent of two middle school students.

Holly McIlree, also a parent, agreed.

“It's going to be such an improvement. It's the right time to do this,” she said.

The new Chartiers Valley Middle School would be designed for 750 students in grades 6 through 8; the high school would have a minimum capacity of 1,200 students in grades 9 through 12.

To finance the project, the district has taken out a $55 million bond. It also has saved $24.5 million designated for infrastructure improvements.

White said no tax increase will be needed to pay for the project; the current rate is 16.53 mills. He expects bids for the middle school work to be taken in March, and bids for the high school to be taken several weeks later.

The high school is to include two four-story buildings. Each floor will have two sections, both with four learning studios, a learning commons and a science lab.

The 3,600 students in the Chartiers Valley district come from Scott, Heidelberg, Collier and Bridgeville.

The district has hired architects IKM Inc. for the project and P.J. Dick for construction management.

Rick Wills is a Trib Total Media staff writer. Reach him at 412-320-7944 or at rwills@tribweb.com.