North Allegheny exploring creation of 1 campus for senior, intermediate high schools
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The North Allegheny School Board is planning its next steps for a possible high school renovation, and there seems to be interest in creating one campus for both the senior and intermediate high schools, said board Director Richard McClure, the board representative to the building and grounds committee.
Currently, the juniors and seniors attend the senior high school on Route 19 and freshman and sophomores attend the intermediate high school on Cumberland Road.
Both schools are in McCandless.
“There was a lot of enthusiasm in our whole high school study about finding a way to bring all four grades to one campus,” said McClure during a school board meeting Nov. 15, during which the building and grounds committee presented an update.
A comprehensive educational assessment and 20-year capital maintenance plan were completed in 2022 for the intermediate and senior high schools. A feasibility study of high school renovations and a budgeting guideline to possible costs were completed in 2023, said William Kirk, assistant director of project management and infrastructure for North Allegheny.
“At this point, we are ready to take the next steps,” he said.
That includes conducting a geotechnical survey at the intermediate high school campus.
McClure referenced a recent traffic study done at the senior high school that indicated it may not be a good location for two schools.
Results of the traffic study are awaiting further analysis, and Kirk anticipates releasing it as part of a full feasibility study at a later date.
The NAI campus could be an alternative site for a combined high school campus. If the geotechnical study is approved in next year’s budget, at a cost of $200,000, it would include a site plan and a traffic study there, Kirk said.
These studies could be conducted without interruption in instruction, Kirk said.
In addition, Kirk said, the district can proceed with a review of the pricing guideline and explore financing options, as well as engaging an architectural firm for design and site planning.
A June 2022 report by architectural firm Weber Murphy and Fox found that the intermediate and senior high schools are well-maintained but aging. NAI is in need of a new roof, masonry repair, and door and window replacements.
Both schools need traffic and safety upgrades, plus improvements in air quality as well as an increase in natural light.
The WBF report found that preventative maintenance could increase the longevity of the senior high pool by about 10 years. However, those utilizing the pool express a desire for a larger pool, better deck space, more seating, and better water quality systems.
Both high schools need improved special education facilities, large group learning areas and small group instruction rooms, among other things.
The high schools have a combined enrollment of 2,226 students, according to an Oct. 3 school district report.
It’s been 21 years since the last major renovation or construction project at the senior high, and six years at the intermediate high school, said Kirk.
If approved, other proposed projects for 2024-2025 at the senior high include: an updated weight room at $90,000; rebuilding and resurfacing tennis courts at $550,000; and a javelin all-weather runway at the multipurpose field at $90,000, according to Kirk.
Next year’s intermediate high school projects include a scoreboard at the turf field at $100,000 and field repairs at $25,000.
The school district’s website, www.northallegheny.org, contains a high school building assessment timeline.
The board at the Nov. 15 meeting reviewed other proposed projects at each district facility, including continued renovations and upgrades at Hosack, Peebles and Ingomar elementary schools targeted for 2026 at an estimated $30 million.
It’s been 24 years since any major work has been done on those three schools, according to the presentation.
Franklin and McKnight elementary schools had major renovations three years ago, and it’s been seven years for Bradford Woods Elementary.
Ingomar and Carson middle schools had major work done 19 years ago, but can handle growth through 2028.
Some larger-costing projects proposed for 2024-2025 include paving and milling at the Marshall Elementary and Middle School campus at a combined $400,000. Carson Middle School needs its energy management system replaced at $250,000.
Some proposed technology expenditures include replacing network switches at various schools at a projected $500,500, and a districtwide camera security server upgrade and refresh at approximately $828,000.
The purchase of 10, 84-passenger buses is proposed at $1.5 million. The district replaces its vehicles in phases, which allows for predictable and manageable costs annually, said Houser.