I at one time was a member of the Clearfield area school facility committee; I took the bus tour of all the elementary schools. During the tour I was impressed with the upkeep of those schools, with Goshen/Girard getting my highest seal of approval. Unfortunately, the location and the access do hinder it. During the tour I did hear the architect say that there was some stress fatigue around the boiler system, only that it could be repaired. On page 16 of the architect’s study titled, “District—Wide Facility Study for the Clearfield Area School District” under the sub-title “Structure” it says, “it appears that some of the mechanical equipment that is supported by the trusses is causing the trusses to be overloaded in the area of the boiler room. The metal trusses at these locations should be reinforced.” Although I must say that the study has so many irregularities in it- it should be an embarrassment to the architect to have never proof read it, let alone charge our school district for it, and furthermore, our school district paying for it.
I lost interest in the committee mostly because the school board members were not listening; they prove it time and again. The governor wants “fiscal responsibility.” I agree, but let’s compromise. Drop these silly mandates; let’s be able to think outside the box. The school board is set on closing schools and centralizing buildings. Maybe the thought is good, but let’s use our imagination. Buy the old Butler Chevrolet building, convert into the classrooms required for all the elementary schools you want to close down, plus use part for the administration offices. Furthermore negotiate with R.J. Corman and PennDOT, a railroad crossing and traffic lights system to direct buses from the high school to the Butler building. This would be done not to intermix the high school students with the grade school students, but as a staging area for the buses similar to one used now across the road from the new elementary school. The difference being the district receives the rent proceeds. The tax paying citizens of this school district can’t afford the tax increases that are projected. The school board must start acting in the best interest of the citizens of this district. INSTEAD OF THEIR OWN PERSONAL AGENDAS!
Sincerely,
Dave Semelsberger
Clearfield, PA
