Contracts, Name & Timeframe for New Plum School Discussed

Plum School District officials continue to work on plans for a new school at the Adlai Stevenson Elementary site.

During the school board's facility committee meeting on Tuesday, officials discussed contracts, a timeframe, possible names for the new school.

Current plans call for a new school at the Adlai Stevenson site, the immediate closure of Holiday Park Elementary—Regency Park Elementary also could close in the future—and the redistricting of all students. The new school building will mirror the new George Pivik Elementary School, which opened this school year.

School board member Shane McMasters said that because the new school would be the only one in the Holiday Park section of the borough, he wants it to be the new Holiday Park Elementary.

Board members have yet to finalize a name or discuss the naming process in depth.

Superintendent Tim Glasspool also presented a list of changes that should be added to the new school's design. He said administrators toured the George Pivik Elementary School and met with faculty members, parents and students for their thoughts to come up with a list.

"This is more of a 'lessons learned' list," he said.

Some changes include piping, framing, lighting, floor and countertop material, kitchen items and classroom items.

Officials currently are negotiating agreements with L.R. Kimball, Russo Construction, and PA Soil and Rock for demo and construction work. They all worked at the George Pivik School. Glasspool said final contracts should be finalized and ready to be approved by the Jan. 29 school board voting meeting.

If all goes as planned, work could begin mid-July, meaning the new school wouldn't be ready for students until December 2014.

Glasspool said administrators already are in the process of getting the old Pivik Elementary ready for students because that is where the Adlai students will attend classes during construction.

"We're setting up a transition plan," he said. "This plan is an enormous undertaking."

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