P-O seeks volunteers for panel on facilities

Ed Mahon

A 2008 feasibility study by Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates determined that Philipsburg- Osceola Area School District has eight renovation and consolidation options for its worn down facilities.

The options ranged in cost between $12.2 million and $35.2 million. One option includes renovating all buildings, while others involve consolidating or closing schools.

Now, the district is seeking community members to serve on a building committee to narrow the options, present information to the public, gather community input and ultimately select one plan to recommend to the school board for final approval.

“First and foremost, doing nothing is not an option for us,” said Dena Cipriano, a district spokeswoman, adding that the feasibility study found inefficiencies in buildings’ mechanical, electrical and HVAC systems. “We must get the buildings up to code, and that will ultimately save some money for us in the long run.”

The two buildings most in need are the junior high school, built in 1937 and renovated in 1972, and North Lincoln Hill Elementary, built in 1969. Philipsburg Elementary, built in 2005, is the only district facility not in need of significant repairs, according to the study.

The district is seeking nine community members — three business leaders, three parents and three others — to serve on the committee. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. Thursday.

“It’s crucial to have the community involvement every step of the way throughout this process,” said Cipriano.

The committee will have its first meeting Nov. 18 to narrow options. On Dec. 15, subcommittee presentations should be ready to be showcased. Surveys will be presented to the community after a Jan. 12 meeting, which will be the first public forum. The second public forum will take place Jan. 26, and the committee is expected to select plans to recommend to the board on Feb. 17. The board is scheduled to discuss the recommendations Feb. 22, and then vote March 9. A public information session is scheduled to take place later in March.

Applicants may drop off completed forms at the administrative office at North Lincoln Hill Elementary, or mail them to: Lisa Thompson, School Board Secretary, Administrative Office, North Lincoln Hill Elementary, 200 Short St., Philipsburg, PA 16866.

For more information, updates on the project or to download a committee application, visit www.pomounties.org.

Ed Mahon can be reached at 231-4619.