The Keystone Oaks School District is undergoing a multimillion-dollar project to renovate its three elementary schools.
The district plans general maintenance upgrades like HVAC, electrical and window and door replacements at Fred L. Aiken, Dormont and Myrtle Avenue elementary schools over the next couple of years.
“The schools have not been renovated since about 1996,” said Sarah Welch, district spokeswoman. “They had regular maintenance, but it was time to look into the buildings and look into improvements and upgrades.”
In May 2024, Keystone Oaks hired HHSDR Inc. of Pittsburgh to complete an architectural study of the three schools, Welch said. Those findings were relayed to the school board and district administration.
In January, the board hired Walter Mucci Construction Co. for exterior improvements at the three elementary schools. The contract amount is $3.67 million and includes new windows and exterior doors at each of the three buildings.
Keystone Oaks also plans HVAC system upgrades and roof repairs as part of the overall projects. New playground equipment and surfaces are planned for Dormont and Aiken elementary schools; Myrtle’s will be renovated at a later date because that building is expected to undergo other upgrades, Welch said.
“We expect that new windows, exterior doors and playgrounds will be installed before the start of the school year,” she said. “The HVAC, electrical and other work is expected to be complete during the summer of 2027 at Dormont and Myrtle Avenue elementary schools. That work is not expected to be complete at Aiken Elementary School until the summer of 2028.”
At the school board’s February meeting, directors allowed administration to take out bonds not to exceed $38 million. The funds will support those phases of the renovation project, which is estimated at around $35 million, Welch said.
Welch said that Keystone Oaks has been debt-free since March 2023.
“We are in a very good financial position,” Welch said. “The board does not have any desire to cut programs or staff to pay for this. They are mindful of taxpayers and taxpayer dollars. It will be done in a way that doesn’t impact services or programs that we currently offer to our students.”
Welch said Keystone Oaks’ population is growing. There are 1,915 students enrolled districtwide this year, an increase from 1,874 in 2023. The district anticipates gaining an additional 40 to 90 students over the next five years.
The district explored consolidation of its elementary schools in 2011 but it was not something the community wanted, Welch said.
“Our school district really values our neighborhood elementary schools,” she said. “Our communities are walkable. The elementary schools, it’s part of the neighborhood and community. Our staff really gets to know students with small class sizes.”
