DICKEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MILL HALL — Darin Rathburn of Hunt Engineering gave an in-depth presentation about the conditions at Keystone Central School District’s schools at Thursday night’s school board meeting.

The “Building Condition Survey” looked at nine facilities in the district. Rathburn presented slides on each facility and brought up concerns. He also made suggested improvements and repairs.

“We had a team of engineers and architects that went through the educational facilities. Basically, we go through the facilities and we’re looking for items that need to be addressed and we really break them down into five different categories.”

According to Rathburn, the five categories were: Health and safety, ADA, general interior items, general exterior items and site conditions.

Rathburn presented a slide of each school and went through the recommendations.

Here’s a summary of each school and its recommendations as presented by Rathburn.

DICKEY ELEMENTARY

Built in 1966, Dickey Elementary is in need of several upgrades.

“ADA accessibility was probably one of the biggest things we found within the building,” Rathburn said. “Basically getting through the different levels of the building.”

Rathburn said there were also issues with the parking lot and catch basin. There’s also no on-site playground. But one of the biggest issues, however, is the fact that the building uses electric heat.

“We do recommend an overall building mechanical system upgrade,” Rathburn said.

LIBERTY-CURTIN

ELEMENTARY

Liberty Curtin was built in 1967 and renovated in 1989. Rathburn said there are general issues with the parking lot and pavement as well as some drainage issues at the facility. However, the biggest concern is the roof.

“There are actually two roofs on the structure. I believe it is currently leaking or at least when we were there it was,” Rathburn said.

Like Dickey Elementary, Liberty Curtin uses electric heat.

“We recommend an upgrade there,” Rathburn said.

ROBB ELEMENTARY

The building dates all the way back to 1893, with renovations in 1959, 1993 and 2005.

“Overall, the building is in good condition,” Rathburn said.

There are issues with the building, pavement and sidewalks. The firm also recommends upgrades to the athletic fields and playground. The restrooms and drinking fountains have some ADA issues.

“There’s some failing flooring, so we recommend looking at some replacements,” Rathburn said.

WOODWARD

ELEMENTARY

Woodward was build in 1967 with renovations in 2007.

“Overall, the building is in great condition,” Rathburn said.

But there are some issues with the parking lot and catch basins, he noted.

The building also have storage issues which need to be addressed, as well as general upgrades to the playground and playing fields.

MILL HALL

ELEMENTARY

The structure was built in 1974 with upgrades in 2008.

According to Rathburn, there are general issues with the parking lot and drive isles.

However, the biggest concern is about the roof.

“The roof system is not failing, but it is approaching the end of its life … while it’s currently functioning, you may want to plan for a future replacement,” Rathburn said.

Mill Hall also has minor ADA restroom issues.

RENOVO

ELEMENTARY

Renovo Elementary was built in 1974 with renovations in 2009. Rathburn said that the building has some code issues that could be correction with some renovations. Like many of the other buildings in the district, there are issues with the sidewalk, pavement and drainage. There are also some safety minor issues with the playground, which can be fixed with repairs or replacement.

It may also need a new generator soon.

“The generator is reaching the end of its useful life,” Rathburn said. “We recommend looking at replacement of the generator at some point in the future.”

Rathburn said that school security is also an issue at the school.

“Once someone enters the building, they have access to the entire space,” Rathburn pointed out. “School security is one of things we would recommend be addressed.”

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL

The 146,000 square foot structure was constructed in 1956 with renovations/additions in 1963, 1997 and 2002.

There are general repairs needed to the parking lots and sidewalks. Fencing is in need of repair and in some areas, replacement.

Inside the building, there are issues with flooring as well as ADA accessibility.

“I’m not saying it’s something you need to do right now. But if you did renovations, you would want to address them at that point,” Rathburn said.

The boiler room is also outdated, Rathburn said.

BUCKTAIL HIGH SCHOOL

The high school was built in 1969 with renovations in 1996 and 2008.

The sidewalks, parking lots and fencing are in need of repair as are the school’s tennis courts. There are also ADA issues inside the building, Rathburn said.

On the interior, it is recommended that some doors and windows be replaced.

Electrical panels are aging as well.

“At some point, you won’t be able to get parts for them,” Rathburn said.

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL

The high school was built in 1997. There were additions/renovations in 2000.

“Overall, the building is in good condition,” Rathburn said.

Like many of the other buildings in the district, the parking lots are in need of paving and repair.

Inside, there are some flooring issues. Wear and tear over the years has led to certain areas needing replaced, Rathburn said.

There are also some updates suggested as far as lighting is concerned and the mechanical system for the building is beginning to age out.

Ultimately, the board will determine which – if any – repairs and renovations are made to the schools.

“This is just an overall snapshot,” Rathburn said of the presentation.