A renovation project at Chartiers Valley High School is moving forward.
The school board voted Tuesday, Jan. 20 to proceed with the first phase of the renovation project, which includes a complete upgrade of the school’s gymnasium and moves administrative, special education and business offices currently at the intermediate school to the high school.
“This motion is intended to move the high school renovation project forward by authorizing the preliminary construction and bidding phase based on projected figures,” said Board President Darren Mariano.
“No final construction contracts or expenditures are approved through this action. All financial commitments related to construction will be brought before the board in a separate motion following the completion of the competitive bidding process, when costs are finalized and accurately known.”
Superintendent Daniel Castagna told TribLive he anticipates the board to consider construction bids during its March 10 meeting, at the latest.
What is the project?
Lead Architect Craig Collins said main gymnasium renovations consist of replacing the floor, bleachers and basketball backboards; new lighting and paint, and a new sound system.
“It’s going to be completely renovated from top to bottom,” he said.
The plan also calls for a new entrance to the natatorium, and renovating the corridor in front of the gymnasium, Collins said.
“Essentially, it’s going to be mostly finishes, with very little structural renovations being done,” Collins said.
Work at the gym is anticipated to start in April, and wrap up in late October, Collins said. That timeline would get the gym ready for basketball season next winter.
Administrative offices would be moved to the high school. Construction would start in June and run about a year. That part of the school would be separated from students, Collins said. Through that renovation, one art classroom would be eliminated.
Principal Lesley Krasman anticipates minimal disruption for high school students during construction.
Naturally, physical education classes in April, May and June use the stadium when weather permits, Krasman said. In poor weather, classes will use the auxiliary gym. There is enough space in the auxiliary gym for classes, she said.
No classrooms need to be moved this school year, Krasman said. For next school year, some classrooms in the school’s H wing will be relocated to the East/West houses section of the school, where there is “plenty of room,” Krasman said.
Where is the money coming?
No new money is being used to complete this phase of the project, Castagna said. It will be funded through remaining proceeds, totaling $8.12 million, from the original bond approved specifically for construction.
Business Manager Joan Wehner said that, in October 2021, the school board approved a bond issuance for $17.51 million. The bond issuance covered construction, repairs, alterations, renovations and improvements at the high school, football field, track, natatorium, auditorium stage and main gymnasium.
The football field, track and auditorium stage have since been completed, as were HVAC upgrades and a roof replacement at the primary school, Wehner said.
The district is budgeting $7.97 million for the construction and renovation of the project, and about $670,000 for contingency, leaving a total budget of about $8.65 million.
“Our goal is to stay within what’s bond financed, and part of our current debt service,” Castagna said. “They always have to recommend contingencies just in case, and we have to be prepared if there are overages, but the goal with this team is to come in at cost.”
The district will “aggressively pursue” naming rights which could help with overall budget cost, Castagna said. Other districts use naming rights, and Castagna believes the high school’s proximity to I-79 could be attractive to companies.
The district will make all efforts to stay within the budget, and construction experts are confident it will be, Castagna said. If costs are coming in higher than anticipated, the district would look to make changes to the project’s scope, Wehner said.
“Otherwise, we would go into the fund balance, that is there,” she said.
What will the gym be named?
Castagna recommended the gymnasium be named after the McConnell family.
“It didn’t take me very long here to see the trophy cases outside of the gym and the impact that this entire family has had on our basketball (and) school community,” Castagna said.
Tim McConnell was a boys and girls basketball coach for a total of 29 years at Chartiers Valley. He has an overall record of 662-153 and won 21 section titles, nine WPIAL championships and one state championship thanks in part to his sons, T.J. and Matty, and daughter, Megan.
T.J. McConnell now plays in the NBA for the Indiana Pacers and played collegiately at the University of Arizona and Duquesne University. Matty McConnell played collegiately at Robert Morris University.
Megan led the Colts to a perfect, 30-0 state championship season in 2019, went on to play collegiately at Duquesne and now plays professionally.
What’s next?
Castagna expects phase two of the project to begin in summer 2027.
“After phase one is complete, the board is going to have to reconvene and talk about what it’s going to take to address the intermediate school,” he said. “That’s probably going to require a complete renovation — roof, windows, HVAC, etc. So right now, we’re focused on phase one at the high school.”
Additional classroom space is needed at the intermediate school to accomodate current and projected increases in enrollment, Castagna said. But before construction can begin there, the administrative, business and special education officers need to be relocated to the high school to free space at the intermediate school to create additional classroom capacity.
Any project there would require school board approval through a public process.
Castagna said the district will keep the community informed on construction projects through a “Construction” tab on the district website, cvsd.net; a quarterly district newsletter; school board meetings; and the district’s social media pages.
