New Castle to join state-backed study

Oct. 14, 2010

By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

New Castle will participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s merger study.

The board agreed to the department’s no cost, no obligation offer in a 7-0 vote last night. Members Fred Mozzocio and Karen Humphrey were absent.

“This doesn’t mean New Castle will look to merge with another district,” Superintendent George Gabriel said at Tuesday’s work session. “I think it would be incumbent on us to at least participate.

“We are not committing anything other than some of the administration’s time to work with the department of (education).”

Earlier in the year, the Union Area School District’s superintendent approached Gabriel about a potential merger.

I had one meeting with Dr. (Alfonso) Angelucci, and I can tell you there was not a whole lot of substance,” he said. “I think the substance comes through this feasibility study.”

The board also approved two measures involving the Harry W. Lockley Early Learning Center.

Eckles Architecture & Engineering was approved as the architect overseeing the renovation, which is estimated to cost between $16.4 million to $19.3 million. The board also permitted the district to hire a geotechnical engineer. The contract is not allowed to exceed $20,000.

Both requests passed in 6-1 votes. Barbara Razzano said she voted ‘no’ because she did not support the project.