Fox Chapel School Board approves $37.9 million bond

Fox Chapel Area School Board last week approved a $37.9 million bond in anticipation of building a new Kerr Elementary School and to fund upgrades to three of the district's other school campuses.

The board has not yet approved specific plans for Kerr, but members plan to move forward with the new school building along Kittanning Pike in O'Hara, said Bonnie Berzonski, district coordinator of communications.

As proposed, the new Kerr building would cost about $18 million and open in 2019. The site will the same campus as the existing school.

Berzonski said the bond will cover renovations at Dorseyville Middle School and Fairview and O'Hara elementary schools.

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School books on desk, education concept

"The roof at Dorseyville has already been replaced and other major work will be completed by the end of this summer, including a new Makers Space, main office and HVAC system," Berzonski said.

Work at Fairview and O'Hara elementary schools includes new roofs at both buildings as well as HVAC systems, hallway upgrades and new office areas.

O'Hara will also get a Maker's Space, three special education rooms and a renovated library.

As proposed, the new Kerr building will be a two-story, L-shape with instructional classrooms that support student collaboration.

Jon Thomas, of Thomas & Williamson project managers, said the building would include increased open areas to enhance student learning. Students in the computer lab or robotics space would be able to work as teams with students in the connecting rooms, he said.

Construction bids are not expected to go out until spring 2018.

Kerr, built in the 1920s, is riddled with structural inadequacies, said Dan Breitkreutz, district director of ancillary services.

The roof needs to be replaced, along with the mechanical system and parking lot. The most recent renovations were nearly 15 years ago, he said.

The board meets next at 7 p.m. June 5 at O'Hara Elementary School along Cabin Lane in O'Hara.

Tawnya Panizzi is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 412-782-2121, ext. 2 or at tpanizzi@tribweb.com or via Twitter @tawnyatrib.

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