Letter to the editor: Hempfield should build new high school, condense other schools

I have lived in the Hempfield Area School District for 35 years and have been reading with great interest the newspaper articles pertaining to plans for the upcoming high school renovation project. A prior article had an estimate of $97 to $110 million; the latest article (“Hempfield high school renovation project receives $128 million budget approval,” Jan. 11, TribLIVE) shows a projected price of $128 million.

This increase came without moving one shovel of dirt. I think we all can be certain, with the cost of construction and materials, this cost will go higher. It would not be surprising that the final cost of this project will be anywhere from $150 million to $175 million.

With that possible amount of money spent, HASD should just build a new high school. Two advantages: All students can stay in their current buildings until construction is completed, and the district will have more freedom for creative planning and construction while not restricted by the current building structure. A state-of-the-art facility — and not to be corny but built in the shape of the letter “H.” Once completed, renovate the now empty current high school and make it a grade 5-8 building. Upon completion of this phase, close Wendover, Harrold and West Hempfield Middle Schools, going from the current four buildings down to two. This would lead to reduced operating costs for many years to come.

Ross W. Butch

Hempfield