Updating, repairing and renovating Baldwin-Whitehall school facilities could cost as much as $39 million.
That's according to the preliminary results of a feasibility study by the HHSDR Architecture and Engineering firm in Pittsburgh presented recently to the Baldwin-Whitehall School Board.
“All buildings are in some need of capital improvements,” HHSDR President Greer Hayden said.
Hayden said the study remains a work in progress but he wanted directors to get an idea of what needs to be done.
Superintendent Randal Lutz said district officials requested the firm look at all facilities — from scoreboards to boilers to paint and floor tiles. Lutz said the $39 million price includes upgrades that could be done over many years.
Some school buildings haven't seen major projects for 20 years.
McAnnulty and Paynter elementary schools need similar repairs — windows and doors are in poor condition, heating upgradesd, more energy efficient lighting and roofs replacements.
J.E. Harrison Middle School has similar needs as minimal work has been done there since it was built in the early 1970s, Hayden said.
At Whitehall Elementary, Hayden said, the biggest issue is electrical work.
Smaller repairs are needed at Baldwin High School. The building was renovated in 2007.
The Wallace building, which is used for maintenance and warehousing, was not included in the study.
Hayden said the next step is to prioritize the upgrades and have a list for the August school board meeting.
The district is performing capital improvements this summer to the roofs Harrison Middle School and McAnnulty Elementary.
J.E. S&N Industries LLC of Slippery Rock was the lowest bidder for both projects – fixing the roof over the middle school gymnasium will cost $104,994 and roof repairs over multi-purpose room at McAnnulty is $104,296.
The board approved contracts for the roof work June 14.
Business manager Mark Cherpak said the both bids came in about $20,000 less than the estimated cost.
Jim Spezialetti is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-388-5805, jspezialetti@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TribJimSpez.
