The next few months will be busy for the people working on the renovation of McKnight Elementary School and the addition and renovations to Franklin Elementary in North Allegheny School District.
The district plans to double the size of Franklin to accommodate growth in the northern tiers of the district. And McKnight, the district’s largest elementary school, was last renovated in 1999.
The Franklin work is estimated to cost $30 million, board members were told during a Dec. 12 meeting where they got an update from the architect and the construction manager. Estimates for McKnight are expected in January.
McCandless council approved the McKnight plans on Dec. 10. Franklin Park Council is expected to vote on the project Dec. 19.
Board members asked several questions of Cassie Renninger of VEBH Architects and representatives of Massaro Corporation, the construction managers. Most involved how the work will be done while school is in session, especially its impact on special needs students.
Tim Jones of Massaro said that there will be soundproof and dust-proof barriers between the construction and the rest of the building.
James Bradley, assistant superintendent for elementary education, said that the sensory room at McKnight will be moved before construction begins in the vicinity.
McKnight principal Christopher Shute said they realized when they went through the phasing of the project that everything could not be done over the summer.
“I’m very pleased with the way the phasing is going through. It is going to have the minimal impact,” he said.
The projects are scheduled to start in April with work on the grounds.
Mr. Shute said the annual Field Day will have to be moved or modified. Franklin Principal Jeffrey Anderchak said he has arranged for their Field Day to occur at Blueberry Hill Park in Franklin Park.
Board member Libby Blackburn continued her opposition to the proposed Franklin addition, asking if it could be smaller.
But school director Christopher Disque said that doubling the size of Franklin is needed to accommodate current and future growth. “The need for this is great. That building is going to be full. And it is going to be full in short order.”
There will be an informational meeting at Franklin on Jan. 30 and at McKnight on Feb. 11.
Sandy Trozzo, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.
First Published: December 19, 2018, 3:29 p.m.