Pennsylvania school district to launch $22.1 million renovation project

Nov. 3, 2014
The project, which will include four new classrooms, a multimedia center and buildings equipped with green technology, will reconfigure the campus floor plan in order to create a greater distinction between the middle and high schools.

The Halifax Area School District in Pennsylvania will take on a $22.1 million renovation project to a middle and high school complex. The project, which will include four new classrooms, a multimedia center and buildings equipped with green technology, will reconfigure the campus floor plan in order to create a greater distinction between the middle and high schools, according to Halifax Superintendent Michele M. Orner. 

"No corner of the building will be untouched," Orner told the Patriot News.

The renovation has been in the works for the last eight to 10 years and is long overdue, according to Orner, who started as superintendent in May 2014.

EI Associates will head the project, which will also include a district administration wing. The project will also include a multimedia center, which will be located at the center of campus and shared by both the middle and high schools. Orner would like for the multimedia center to be open to the public after school hours because the closest library is in another town.

The district operates a $19.5 million yearly budget and has an enrollment of about 1,150. It was finally able to proceed with the project because all of its debt was retired this year, which made it possible to take out bonds, according to Orner. 

The initial phase of construction will consist of indoor renovations. Students will be moved to temporary classrooms during the indoor work, and outdoor construction will likely begin in the spring. The Halifax Area School District in Pennsylvania will take on a $22.1 million renovation project to a middle and high school complex. The project, which will include four new classrooms, a multimedia center and buildings equipped with green technology, will reconfigure the campus floor plan in order to create a greater distinction between the middle and high schools, according to Halifax Superintendent Michele M. Orner. 

"No corner of the building will be untouched," Orner told the Patriot News.

The renovation has been in the works for the last eight to 10 years and is long overdue, according to Orner, who started as superintendent in May 2014.

EI Associates will head the project, which will also include a district administration wing. The project will also include a multimedia center, which will be located at the center of campus and shared by both the middle and high schools. Orner would like for the multimedia center to be open to the public after school hours because the closest library is in another town.

The district operates a $19.5 million yearly budget and has an enrollment of about 1,150. It was finally able to proceed with the project because all of its debt was retired this year, which made it possible to take out bonds, according to Orner. 

The initial phase of construction will consist of indoor renovations. Students will be moved to temporary classrooms during the indoor work, and outdoor construction will likely begin in the spring. 

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