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MILL HALL — A transformer may prove to be the ultimate demise of Dickey Elementary.
At Thursday night’s Keystone Central school board’s work session, it was revealed that the aging school is in need of a new transformer, which is located inside the school. Board member, Jeff Johnston, chair of the facilities committee, talked about the cost of the work and the scope of the project.
“We have a situation where we have to make a decision and we have to make it rather quickly,” Johnston said. “It will have an impact on what will happen next year as far as Dickey is concerned. There is a transformer that is in the building that is very old and it definitely must be replaced, certainly before next school year.”
According to Johnston, administrators from PPL said that the transformer needs to be replaced and it will cost the district approximately $250,000 to complete the project.
“PPL is stating that we have to do it. So then the question becomes — as a district, do we want to invest that money in a building that needs major work to bring it up to ADA standards?” Johnston said.
In January, the board heard a portion of the facilities report conducted by Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates. At the voting session, Jeff Straub said that Dickey needs several million dollars of renovations to bring it up to ADA standards. The school, Straub said, needs three elevators to comply with the Federal Americans with Disabilities act. Over time, the cost of the project would range between $8.5 to $10.2 million.
“I think there is a real sense of urgency here. Do we vote to close the building? I think that would be the most prudent decision at this point,” Johnston said.
Following Johnston’s comments, there was an open discussion among the board about the future of the elementary school.
“With all the research, the different studies that were done, the resources that everyone has spoken about … there’s not any part of me that feels that Dickey should stay open,” said board member Elisabeth Lynch. “I wish I didnát have to say that. The numbers are just staggering.”
During the January presentation, Dickey, which covers 45,414 square feet, had the lowest FCI among the elementary schools, at 40. The 40 FCI translates to the upper end of “poor,” which means “worn from use or age, end of expected life cycle.” Straub told the board that the ratings are based on nine different criteria.
KCSD superintendent Jacquelyn Martin said that the transformer issue creates many issues.
“When you look at the all the information, the purpose of having the report is to make an informed plan, a long-term plan on facilities. The one thing that’s throwing a monkey wrench into the whole idea of a long-term plan and thoughtful plan is the transformer creating a sense of urgency to make a decision sooner rather than later,” Martin said.
KCSD’s Director of Property Services, Rob Pacella, talked about the looming decision.
“We have to spend the best way possible because there’s not a lot of it to go around,” Pacella said.
Pacella urged the board to make a decision soon because it will impact, students, teachers and administrators at Dickey.
“I wish we had more time to plan through everything, but the team has assured us that we can do this and it will be seamless,” Pacella said.
No decision will be made at the voting session on Thursday, Feb. 13. However, a special meeting is planned for Thursday, Feb. 27 to discuss the future of Dickey Elementary.