By Bob Stiles

Published: Thursday, January 17, 2013, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Thursday, January 17, 2013

Greensburg Salem school directors threw their support on Wednesday behind refurbishing the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center.

In an 8-0 vote, directors endorsed about $9.1 million in repair costs at the nearly 40-year-old school near New Stanton. Director Lee Kunkle didn't attend.

All nine school districts that are members of the technology center must vote to support the work for the project to move forward.

Greensburg Salem officials estimate the improvements will cost the district between $68,000 and $75,000 per year for the next 15 years. Initial annual assessments for the other districts ranged from $54,000 to $153,000, based on attendance.

In October, Brad Elwood, center director, told Greensburg Salem directors the work is for “the nuts and bolts of the building” and is not part of a renovation plan.

The technical school's roof, electrical and mechanical systems are all original to the building, which opened in 1975, Elwood said.

By doing the project as part of an energy-saving program involving Chevron, technology center officials said costs will be lower and energy savings will result.

Greensburg Salem Superintendent Eileen Amato said after the school board meeting she believes a negative vote from a school district might increase the repair costs.

In another matter, directors unanimously agreed to accept a lump-sum payment from the owner of the state office building on North Main Street, rather than 24 installment payments, as part of a tax settlement.

In taking the lump-sum payment of $289,706, directors agreed to give owner Columbia Greensburg SPE LLC a 5 percent discount.

Bob Stiles is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-836-6622 or bstiles@tribweb.com.

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