KCSD board, public appear to favor one of several L-C options
By Scott Johnson
MILL HALL, PA – Approximately 40 residents attended Tuesday’s special work session of the Keystone Central School Board on the future of the district’s Liberty-Curtin Elementary School in Blanchard.
The only public comment came from an unidentified woman who said nobody else commented because they were all in agreement that something must be done with the elementary school, not only with the building itself, but a possible expansion of the approximately 30,000 square-foot building.
Jeff Straub and Dr. Fred Withum of Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates detailed several possible options to the school that currently educates 152 students, grades kindergarten through fourth.
Both – along with all eight board members present – and the public favored Option 3A, which has a “very preliminary” estimated cost of $18.3-$19.9 million.
That option includes an estimated $450,000 in renovations, $12.6 million in new construction, $2 million in site development and $3.3 million in “soft costs.”
In its “very preliminary” elementary school recommendation, the firm, “is not recommending the Keystone Central School District consider shuttering an additional elementary school in the southern part of the district at this time.”
That recommendation is due to the elementary enrollment stabilizing in the next several years.
The other preliminary options are estimated at $13.8-$16.6 million for renovations and $20-$21.6 million for new construction.
“(Option) 3A is the most cost-effective and compressed,” said Dr. Withum at the end of the 45-minute presentation.
The board agreed, according to their comments.
Superintendent Dr. Jacquelyn Martin noted Liberty-Curtin is included in the district’s 10-year plan when it was established in 2020, noting the numerous deficiencies at the school and its property.
Concerning the possible project and estimated costs, many board members reminded the public the board hasn’t raised taxes for the last three years and numerous grants could be applied for funding.
“We want to make our facilities as good as we can afford to,” said Facilities Committee Chair Board Member Jeff Johnston. “We have held the line on taxes for the last three years… It will be the most prudent thing to do. I would strongly recommend 3A.”
Board members James “Butch” Knauff and Elisabeth Lynch agreed.
“I am 100 percent for remodeling except when a building has gone through its life span,” Lynch said. “I’m really excited about this. We are committed. It is important to me for our families and students for the 21st century and beyond.”
Concerning a preliminary timeline, Straub estimated the design of the school will take around 12 months with construction of about 18 months.
He estimated the project should be “shovel ready” by the spring of 2024 with completion in the 2025-26 school year.
The public is encouraged to email any questions or comments to lcproject@kcsd.us.
The board’s next meeting is this Thursday, Oct. 6.
