HHSDR Provides Helling Stadium Update, Presents Proposal for Perry Lower Renovations

Representatives from HHSDR Architects/Engineers announced during Thursday night’s Ellwood City Area School District’s Board of Directors meeting that construction is on track at Helling Stadium for the proposed September 28 completion date.

They said that all the “in the mud” type work is finished. They expect the turf work to begin after Aug 8, which is the expected arrival date of the materials.

In addition, they mapped out a plan for a complete renovation of Perry Lower Intermediate. HHSDR said the project will have an overall cost of $9.6 million. Included in the project will be all new electrical, HVAC, plumbing, asbestos removal, a new roof, a four-classroom addition, a nurse suite addition, new flooring, painting, new windows, fixture upgrades, and any other needed construction to bring the 1933 building up to code.

HHSDR officials said the project will be completed in phases to allow students to continue classes. Abestos removal will be overseen by a contractor who specializes in the process. Construction is expected to be completed at Perry by September 2023.

Helling Stadium, under construction in anticipation of a September project completion date.

In addition the board passed several motions:

• Motion to approve minutes of combined meeting of June 9, 2022
• Motion to Approve the June 2022 General Fund Treasurer’s Report in the amount of $3,479,262.63. The summary of accounts is as follows:
  • WesBanco Checking $3,187,962.77
  • Tax Accounts 278,570.27
  • PLGIT 10,873.56
  • PSDLAF 1,453.01
  • PA Invest 403.02
• Motion to approve General Fund Accounts Payable Check Listings in the amount of $2,548,819.90.
• Motion to approve General Fund Bond Obligations in the amount of $471,904.32.
• Motion to approve Cafeteria Accounts Payable report in the amount of $43,561.39.
• Motion to approve the Agency of Johnstown, PA be awarded to the Utica National Insurance Group at a total cost of $81,614 :
  • Package/Property $67,453
  • Auto $6,856
  • Educators Legal Liability (Included) Included
  • Umbrella $7,305
  • the Workers Compensation Policy Contract be awarded to UPMC  at a premium of  $39,411 and Cyber Liability be awarded to ACE at a cost of $13,863.
• Motion to approve Lease extension agreement with Columbia Gas of PA for an additional term of ten years beginning March 9, 2022 at a yearly rental of Two Hundred Dollars payable annually in advance
• Motion to approve 2022-23 Harris School Solutions Proposal
• Motion to approve pending Change Orders GC-3, GC-4, GC-5, GC-6 for Stadium Project
• Motion to approve the following as Head Teachers for the 2022-23 school year.
  • North Side Primary – Pam MacMurdo
  • Perry Lower Intermediate – Craig Mills
  • Hartman Intermediate – Gary Rozanski
• Motion to Approve Disposal of various items from North Side Primary including 211 books from the Library that are outdated or not age-appropriate; Metal risers that have been replaced with plastic risers; 5 metal tables that have been replaced with new plastic tables; a very old and untuneable piano. All disposals are and in accordance with Policy 706.1.
• Motion to Recognize Booster Groups as affiliate organizations of the Ellwood City Area School District.
  • Wolverine PTO
  • Wresting Boosters
  • Baseball Boosters
  • Soccer Boosters
  • Football Boosters
  • LHS Blue Band Boosters
• Motion to approve the Agreement defining the requirements under which the District will use the alternative education program provided by Cray Youth and Family Services for 5 (five) guaranteed slots in the Cray Challenges Program for the 2022-2023 school year at a total cost of $70,800
• Motion to approve new/revised policies to be on display until the next board meeting and then be recommended for adoption.
  • Revised Policy 702.1 – Crowdfunding
  • Revised Policy 913 – Nonschool Organizations/Groups/Individuals
• Motion to eliminate current Policy 113.3 Behavior Support
• Renumber current Policy 113.2 Behavior Support to 113.3 Behavior Support
• Motion to approve current Safety Plan for the 2022-23 school year.
• Motion to approve Special Education Plan for the 2022-23 school year in compliance with PA Department of Special Education.
• Motion to approve 2022-23 Secondary Handbook changes
• Motion to approve the 2022-23 Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit Special Ed Agreement at a cost per student of $39,800 for a projected cost for 2022-23 of $139,300.
• Motion to approve the 2022-23 Ambulance Agreement with Pennsylvania Medical Transport, Inc. d/b/a MEDEVAC Ambulance with a rate of $225 per ambulance standby for Junior High/JV and Soccer events and a rate of $275 per Varsity Football events (compared to last years rates of $200 and $250 respectively).