The Mars Area School Board is considering options for how to deal with a lack of capacity at a couple of buildings for younger students.
Jon Thomas of Thomas and Williamson presented the board and gathered community members with the results of a recently completed enrollment and capacity study.
The study revealed that the Mars Area Primary Center for kindergarteners and first graders is currently over capacity with an average class size of 24 students. Mars Area Elementary is right at capacity with an average of 25 to 26 second through fourth grade students per class.
Thomas then provided information about renovations and additions at both buildings that would achieve a projected capacity of 83% at a cost of nearly $24 million for the Primary Center and nearly $14 million at the Elementary. Those costs have increased nearly 50% over the past seven years. He also shared options for changes to administration and athletic facilities.
This presentation will be posted to the Mars Area School District website today. Community members are encouraged to provide feedback to the Mars School Board. The board is expected to continue discussions for several months with a decision about direction for the future anticipated in the early fall.
