Chicora Elementary construction project moving along, Karns City officials say
KARNS CITY — Some students at Chicora Elementary School could be learning in new classrooms as soon as February, according to an update provided at the Monday, Jan. 8 Karns City Area school board meeting.
That would precede a larger move to come at the completion of renovations in August, when students from Chicora and Sugarcreek elementary schools are expected to move under one roof.
The school board will discuss the closure of Sugarcreek Elementary in Sugarcreek Township, Armstrong County and hear public questions and concerns at the Feb. 12 meeting. The board had previously approved the closure for June, but after the closure was delayed, the board must reconsider it for this summer.
According to superintendent Eric Ritzert, renovations at Chicora Elementary began in June.
Ritzert said the district started its planning with a feasibility study, which showed both schools needed renovations. Construction costs were found to be about the same to renovate both buildings as to expand Chicora to incorporate both schools.
“When we looked at staffing, we realized we could provide a more efficient staffing in one school and also more equitable class sizes for our students by getting everybody in one grade in the same building,” Ritzert said.
Ritzert said the district is not projecting any faculty or staff will lose their jobs, and the district will likely need to hire more to offset retirements. The renovations also will not affect the number of elementary students the district can house.
The new school will be named Karns City Elementary School and be completed in August, with the exception of the playground, which is estimated to be completed by spring of 2025. Until then, students at the school will have access to grassy areas and other play areas.
With students moving to four new classrooms ready for February, contractors can continue renovations in other areas such as office spaces and the library, Ritzert said.
According to Ritzert, contractors are speeding up the building’s internal renovations to take pressure off work to be completed later. While some project areas have lagged behind, others are ahead of schedule leaving contractors time to work on areas they were not expecting to tackle until summer.
According to Eckles Construction Services president John Pappas, the Area A addition on the north side of the building — the location of the four classrooms — is complete and received a certificate of occupancy, so the classrooms are clean and ready for use.
The installation and inspection of HVAC systems in the Area A addition was also complete, adding an additional bathroom to the building, Pappas said.
Additionally, 95% of the Area C foundation and below-grade masonry and 50% of the loading dock foundations is done. Pappas said he expects to see floor slabs being placed during the next week.
Area C is next to the existing gym on the south side of the building and includes a new kitchen, cafeteria and loading dock.
The school’s athletic field is also almost complete with the remainder of the topsoil to be spread and seeded in the spring. The next step is to create concepts and get estimates for the school’s playground, which will not open with the rest of the additions.
Pappas said his team is also working on additional options to provide more courtyard space.
