Construction moving along on R.A. Lutz Elementary

R.A. Lutz Elementary School, which will replace W.R. Paynter Elementary, is still on track for completion by summer 2023.

“We are looking to take occupancy by the end of July or beginning of August, just in time for the start of the 2023-2024 school year,” Baldwin Whitehall School District superintendent Dr. Randal Lutz said of his namesake school. “The school district has not set a definitive first day of school yet for 2023-2024, but once we move through the winter a date will be set.”

W.R. Paynter Elementary School, built in 1969, was a much-loved school in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District for decades, but it’s structure, layout and amenities were not up to par with modern standards and technology — and a growing school population.

Lutz said there will be state-of-the-art security in the new school, as well as an internal open-air courtyard, a “totally secure playground area” with a rubberized surface and much more.

“The courtyard is separated from the playground, the play area is fully fenced in and secure from the public,” Lutz said. “You will not need to worry about anyone from the public interacting with the schoolchildren.”

The school is also looking forward to a stage space in the between the gym and cafeteria. It will open to both the cafeteria and gym, allowing for plenty of flexibility for bringing in large groups for extracurriculars, sports, speakers and more.

There are also plans for LGI (large group instruction) on each floor of the school, which will be three stories.

“Teachers can utilize these spaces to bring kids together in bigger spaces than classrooms,” Lutz said.

R.A. Lutz Elementary School will also have “maker spaces,” which will allow for hands-on instruction, 3-D printing and other types of technology. There will also be a two-story media center that overlooks the play area and school athletic fields.

Lutz said that workers ran into soil issues on account of mines in the area.

“We did better than expected in dealing with voids under grounds,” he said.

Workers also had to deal with existing slags from ‘70s era construction.

“Of course, there is always a chance for change but we have a fantastic construction manager for the school who is keeping a lid on all cost overruns,” Lutz said.

One change came at the Nov. 2 school board meeting, when the board approved a construction change order to add $22,670 for the plumbing construction contract for the building.

District director of finance and operations Mark Cherpak explained that the gas company told the school district extra funds would be needed as it involves a gas line.

Carrier Butler, communications consultant for the district, said the project’s price tag is $48 million.