IN Peters Township April/May 2020 | Page 80

NEW HIGH SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE T he Peters Township community has had a front row seat to the progress on the construction of the new high school on East McMurray Road. As the District heads into the final months of the project and starts planning for the big move, we wanted to share some updates on the project as well as images from inside the new school. Is the construction on schedule? Any construction project of this size has portions that are on schedule, ahead of schedule and behind schedule. To date, we are on schedule to move into the school over the winter break next year. The first school day in the new building is set for January 7, 2021. Is the project on budget? Yes. For those following the project closely through our School Board meetings, there have been change orders that include some additional costs along the way; however, those changes are included in the original contingency budget outlined for the project. 78 PETERS TOWNSHIP What will happen with the old (current) High School? What will be included in the new school? In addition to the 47 general classrooms, 13 science labs, three business/computer classrooms, and five large group instruction areas, the new auditorium seats 1,200 guests and the fine arts wing also includes a TV studio and the art, music, chorus and technology education classrooms. The athletic wing features a gymnasium that seats 2,000 spectators along with an auxiliary gym with seating, adaptive gym, natatorium and locker rooms and fitness rooms. After examining all of the District facilities, as well as current and projected enrollments, the Board of School Directors voted to explore the possibility of converting the current High School into a Middle School for grades 6, 7 and 8. The scope of the work for this conversion will include upgrades to the roof, heating and air conditioning, electrical systems and lighting. A new secure vestibule will also be added to the front of the school in the area the currently houses the pool. Major upgrades are not needed for the large group areas as the Middle School will house one less grade level than the High School. You can follow the continued progress of the project via the website at www. ptsd.k12.pa.us/New_PTHS.aspx or follow us on Facebook at @PetersTwpSchools. Images are from March 2020.