Jeannette City School District is planning three phases of renovations at McKee Elementary School that officials said will improve energy savings, safety and aesthetics.

The school was opened in the mid-1990s, said Superintendent Matt Jones.

“The building essentially looks the same as it did when it opened in 1994-95, so many, many years ago,” he said. “We tend to think of that as the new school and, as it stands today, it’s 30 years old and we really haven’t done much with that school.”

Students in kindergarten through sixth grade are housed in the building. The proposed work is part of a five-year plan to spread improvements around the district. Directors discussed the proposal during the Nov. 17 board meeting.

The first phase is expected to start as soon as school ends in late May and be complete before the 2026-27 school year starts. That will consist of improvements of the facade at the elementary school entrance, said Director B.J. Bortz.

The existing awning will be replaced with a much larger one and additional doors will be added for security purposes. Jones said the first phase is expected to cost around $1.2 million.

The two remaining phases are expected to take place over the following two summers.

The second phase includes replacing the original boilers and renovating the boiler room, Jones said.

The third phase will be similar to the work on the elementary facade. Bortz said the awning at the middle school entrance will be replaced and vestibule upgraded. That project will include transforming a wood shop into a conference room.

“We don’t use that room anymore,” Bortz said.

A proposal from engineering firm McClure Company showed renderings of the project. Jones said the district has been saving up money to fund the work.

“This is a self-funded project, we’re not taking out any debt to do this and we believe we are in a financial situation right now to look at phase one and phase two,” he said.

A contract is expected to come before the directors for a vote in December.

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