- (GantDaily File Photo)
CLEARFIELD – An estimated $1.8 million deficit after slashes to education funding in Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed state budget left the Clearfield Area School District Board of Directors to mull over building options and the ensuing costs under the district-wide feasibility study at Monday night’s committee meetings.
In February, the board voted to approve a tentative 11-mill tax increase, which has since been “tossed out the window,” according to Business Administrator Sam Maney. He told the board the state will not permit them to raise taxes above 6 mills, an equivilent of $720,000, this upcoming year.
“We have a lot of work to do if we’re going to close that gap,” Maney said. Superintendent Dr. Thomas B. Otto said that the board plans to leave its options open, when it tackles the direction of the feasibility study and continues to turn every stone to maximize resources.
Otto and Board President Dave Glass on Friday met with J. Greer Hayden of HHSDR Architects/Engineers, the district’s architect, about the feedback heard from the board, parents and community members at the public meeting Monday, March 7.
Glass said he wanted the board to determine the direction of the study by no later than July. “It’s time to get moving on it. I intend to have it on the agenda, when that time rolls around. It’s time to vote on it. It’s coming down to decision time.”
Glass advocated that the board address the administrative building first. The current district office is in the “worst shape” and has the “most immediate concerns,” he said.
With the temporary closure of Girard-Goshen Elementary School, he also supported proceeding with building plans at the secondary level for grades seven through twelve.
Glass said some people have suggested that Centre Elementary School become the new administrative office building. However, he didn’t see it as a viable short-term option and felt it should be located at the high school campus.
“We’re not in any position to close and then renovate that school,” he said. “We wouldn’t have anywhere to put those kids (if we were to pursue this option).”
Although meetings have been held to consider public feedback, board member Jennifer Wallace said there hasn’t been any collaboration among themselves. She said the board didn’t agree with any of the options presented to the public, and their individual opinions were all “jumbled.”
She encouraged the board to work toward a consensus and offer Hayden some direction. At the same time, Wallace supported addressing the administrative offices first and then the buildings at the secondary level.
“It’s definitely how I feel. I don’t think it’s feasible to construct a new middle school,” Glass said. Wallace then asked about the possibility of obtaining the costs for the administrative office project and the high school renovation.
According to Glass, the board must consider all the elements that would be a part of a high school renovation. A second library, cafeteria and gymnasium space and a new wing to the building were all things to think about, he said.
Board member Dr. Michael Spencer understood junior-senior high schools were becoming more prevalent. However, he didn’t want the board to completely abandon the concept of a middle school.
Regardless of the building option selected, Hayden wants the district to complete the project in stages. It isn’t feasible for the district to pursue all at once, Glass said.
“With the future of Girard-Goshen up in the air, we can’t make an informed decision about the elementary schools right now,” he said. “But we also don’t want to hold this process up.”
Wallace said she recently attended a Marcellus Shale presentation, and the industry is expected to grow locally. She said enrollment may be declining now but could go up or down in the years to come.
At the present time, she didn’t find the board had any way of predicting its future enrollment figures. Because uncertainty existed there, she also believed it’d be “wise” to hold off.
Glass said he wanted Hayden to have some sense of their direction for the feasibility project by May. He wanted to give Hayden “something to look at” and perhaps a high school renovation project without the second library and only a minimal wing.
According to Otto, Hayden wants him to meet with the high school administration and fill every room in the building. Hayden would then be able to design a wing to accommodate the additional grade levels.
“We’re not going to have a 9-0 consensus on any idea. I think we have enough support for him to do that,” Glass said. He then asked if any board members had questions about the construction of an administrative and maintenance building.
Board member Mary Anne Jackson wanted the district’s administrative offices to stand alone and appear as a professional building complex. “My preference is that it’s not connected and just an administrative building.”
Otto said there wouldn’t be any stone left uncovered, and they’re trying to think of every way to maximize resources. If located at the high school campus, the administrative offices and the high school could share staff, he said.
“I’m just glad we’re moving forward and not sitting on this anymore,” board member Larry Putt said. “. . . But the state has put us in a real hard spot.”
