Board awaits facilities report

Aug. 27, 2009

Board awaits facilities report

By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

A report offering guidance to the New Castle Area School Board will be released soon.

Donna Donati hopes it doesn’t sit on a shelf.

“I would like them to take it seriously,” she said.

While board president, Donati established a community-based committee a year ago to determine the district’s facility needs. The group centered on the kindergarten and primary centers.

A part of the equation involved the buildings. Declining district enrollment and project funding were two other pieces. While the needs were obvious, financial and political pressures are expected to steer the board’s decision.

“This isn’t a great time to propose anything,” said David A. Esposito of Eckles Architecture and Engineering, which is overseeing the study. “There’s so much uncertainty with the governor’s budget.”

Superintendent George Gabriel said he anticipates the committee’s final meeting to take place next month.

Eckles presented eight options to the group in June. The architectural firm then narrowed its focus to two proposals. Once would update the Harry W. Lockley kindergarten center in addition to the John F. Kennedy, Thaddeus Stevens and West Side primary centers. The other plan involves the construction of a primary center and renovation of the kindergarten center.

Committee member Kimberly Koller-Jones said consolidation of district facilities makes sense.

“It’s all about making choices,” she said. “(The board) would almost have to go on a campaign and explain why (to the residents).”

The committee asked Esposito to investigate additional funding sources. He will present the information at the group’s next gathering.

The state budget crisis also has influenced the process.

“Part of the report involves incorporating some of the district’s programs,” Donati said. “If those programs are not funded, it impacts how consolidation is done.”

Once the report is finalized, the board has two years to act. After that, the Pennsylvania Department of Education requires an updated study.

“It’s not like it’s milk and the report spoils,” Esposito said. “(However,) the longer it drags out there’s inflation and costs dragging out.”

Whatever the committee’s recommendations, Donati doesn’t expect board support. She questioned whether her peers are concerned with declining enrollment and the associated issues of salaries and transportation costs.

“They are mainly interested in just the moment,” she said. “They don’t think about the ramifications of policies.”

Gabriel said he expects the board to review current finances and fiscal projections before committing to the project.

“We have been and continue to look at staffing,” he added.