The Mars Area School Board has decided on a course of action that will result in major improvements to the district’s middle school.
After being presented with two options to deal with concerns about the facility last week, the board on Tuesday directed administration to move forward with a more expensive and intensive demolition, renovation and construction plan.
This option would involve the construction of a new, three-story classroom tower to be located in the current parking lot near the main entrance for a cost of about $21 million. Since that is more than the board feels they are able to spend, they will see if a scaled back version will fit into their $15 to $18 million budget for the project.
Another motion directed the job of construction manager to be offered to the firm of Thomas and Williamson at 2.5 percent of the project cost. This is being done to allow the project to move more quickly in order to get more competitive bids and accomplish some construction during the summer of 2019 instead of starting in the fall.
Written By: Ryan Saeler for the Butler Radio Network
