Monessen school board approves renovation project
The final package includes numerous upgrades to the elementary school and middle/high school.
The final package includes numerous upgrades to the elementary school and middle/high school.
Monessen school board approved $11.4 million in STEAM upgrades and infrastructure renovations to the district Tuesday after mulling over options for months.
The authorized projects include adding modernized STEAM spaces to the elementary and middle/high schools, roofing replacements to both schools, HVAC and mechanical improvements to the middle/ high school, structural improvements to the middle/ high school gymnasium and updating networking infrastructure district wide.
The STEAM space and equipment upgrades feature a 3D printer that will be installed in the art room, TV studios at both schools, esports/ gaming and cybersecurity spaces at both schools and a coffee shop operated by life skills students at the high school, among other additions.
Libraries at both schools will be converted into media centers, with the elementary’s space dubbed the Pup Hub and the high school’s the Hound Hub.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Motte views the STEAM spaces and conversions as the top priority in the infrastructure improvement project.
“We need programs, and we have to compete with these (charter) schools,” Motte said. “Education is a competitive environment now, and kids have a lot of choices, and we want them to come here. That’s why we’re doing this. And it is a lot of money, I get it, but it’s for the kids. It’s to make Monessen better for the students, the community, the faculty and the staff.”
School officials hope the investment will attract students back to the district who attend outside charters, which puts a significant strain on Monessen’s budget like many districts in the state.
When asked how the district intends to pay for the project, board President Mark Panicucci pointed to energy costs Monessen is projected to save from HVAC and mechanical improvements. He also said the board could raise taxes, adding “which nobody wants to do.”
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“We need programs, and we have to compete with these (charter) schools. Education is a competitive environment now, and kids have a lot of choices, and we want them to come here.”
DR. ROBERT MOTTE
SUPERINTENDENT The board tabled a motion to approve HVAC and mechanical upgrades to the elementary school for $3.5 million.
After the meeting, Panicucci and board Vice President Marc Bellora, who called for tabling the motion, explained the board hasn’t finalized its decision on the HVAC upgrades and will seek to lower the price.
The board understands the aging HVAC equipment will eventually need to be replaced, but it’s still under warranty at the elementary school.
“We just want to have one more week to think it through,” Panicucci said.
The board intends to pass a resolution March 4 setting the maximum amount for the bond the district intends to take out for the infrastructure improvement project.
Due to a miscommunication, school officials told the Mon Valley Independent last week the board would make final project decisions during the March 4 meeting.
