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GIRARD — After construction bids for a proposed performing arts center came in too high, the Girard Board of Education is “going back to the drawing board.”
The board approved rejecting the bids and Superintendent Bryan O’Hara said the board will have to discuss what they are going to do next on the project.
In September, the board opened bids for contractors for the center, which would be constructed on the northwest corner of the high school building.
Board President Mark Zuppo has said after delays due to the COVD-19 pandemic, the district is hoping to get moving on the center, which has been discussed for several years. He said the project’s future depends on costs.
“When we open the bids, if the money is right we will move forward,” Zuppo said. “If the money is not right, then it will be back to the drawing board.”
He said the project will not require any additional public tax dollars.
The center would be used for school performing arts events and graduation ceremonies. There also are plans to host local theater and dance groups in the building.
Treasurer Mark Bello has said the funding for the center is in place. He said school district officials will be able to determine the final project cost after the bids are reviewed.
Axiom Architects LLC of Youngstown is the project architect.
The facility would include a performing arts center with a 950-seat auditorium and a new parking lot along with music classrooms, stage area, changing rooms, storage area and practice rooms.
The building project also will incorporate the construction of the new board of education offices, to be located at the Shannon Road site.
Current board offices are located on the second floor of the Girard city building.
Officials have said they would like the performing arts center and new board administration offices to be completed before the start of the 2024-25 school year.
Bill Cook, project architect, has met with the board and said the planned band room would be 1,800 square feet for more than 65 students and a choir room will have 1,300 square feet for 45 to 50 students.
School officials have said the high school cafetorium, which has a stage, has limited seating for events. Graduations and other functions have been moved to the gymnasium.
Also, O’Hara said they are working to get new additional security cameras installed at the district buildings.
School officials also are proceeding with safety projects after the district received a $400,000 state safety grant.
The board previously approved an agreement with VEC Inc. for safety cameras for the schools.
Board members said the grant will cover most of the costs with the district paying more than $20,000.
In other action, the board:
• Approved an after-school intervention program for third-grade students at Prospect School who need help with reading. Six Prospect teachers will serve as instructors for the intervention.
• Accepted the retirement resignations of Sandra Vlock, assistant cook for 20 years at the high school, effective Jan. 1, 2024; and Paula Attalla as a third-grade teacher at Prospect School after 16 years effective June 1, 2024.
• Rescheduled the next two meetings due to the holidays with meetings to be held at 5 p.m. Nov. 21 and Dec. 14.