CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – As Clarion Area Elementary School continues its $6.5 million renovation program to improve security and sewage, among other things, one question remains for some.

Will it be ready in time for the start of school?

(Pictured above: Clarion Area Maintenance and Ground Supervisor Mike Fagley shows the new enclosed security area office now under construction.)

“We’re doing our best to be ready for the start of school, and we figure we will be ready,” said Fagley on Friday surveying the significant activity planned.

“We’re redoing the cafeteria and kitchen completely.  We’re refurbishing the cafeteria and bringing the kitchen up to new codes.  We’ve tried to consolidate the equipment, so it’s more labor-friendly.  Things are being consolidated more into one area much more than they were previously.”

Completed work includes a new concrete floor in the kitchen and cafeteria after replacing drains that were initially placed with the construction of the building in 1967.         

“The cast iron lines had rusted out,” continued Fagley. “The main line wasn’t as bad as the kitchen, but it needed to be replaced. Drain lines throughout the school were trenched out so they will work out properly.”

The renovation project started in late May of 2017.

“We’ve also eliminated the old dishwashing room on the one side of the cafeteria for space and added the dishwasher area to the other side of the cafeteria that houses the kitchen. Students will enter the serving line for the food line and see the cashier before moving to their tables.”

Students and authorized visitors will notice new security measures when entering the building.

An enclosed security office will be on left side and will be staffed all during the school day. The office is secure and includes a drop area tray where things such as forgotten lunches or any other material can be submitted.

Next, there will be two new walls, one before the gymnasium and one before entering the main hallway in front of the school offices. Both of the walls will include secure doors. Parents will be admitted at the end of the school day to pick up students as in the past.

Key swipe cards will replace old keys for all doors to help improve security. Doors can also be locked from the inside.

“They refurbished most of the classrooms already; they’ve had paint and new lighting. We are going to have new LED lighting throughout the building for energy efficiency. All windows have been replaced in the building.”

In 2004, the school administration closed the Large Group Instruction Building and expanded it.

“On this project, we’re soundproofing the building because of how loud the music and instruction can be.  We’re soundproofing the floor because of the classroom below.”   

“We’re doing all new handicap ramps outdoors and all new doors. We also include a full-size elevator for handicap access to the LGI area.”

The complete report presented by Fagley to the School Board at the July meeting follows.

This month the kitchen floor was completely removed, and new electrical and plumbing were installed before the new concrete floor was poured. The new walls have been framed, and the new plumbing and electrical is being installed in the walls at this time. The new refrigerator/freezer box is being completed today and work will start on the compressor and hooking up the unit for operation this week. The range hood is coming on Wednesday and ductwork will be fabricated and the hood installed by the end of the week. The cafeteria floor was abated last month, and the floor shot blasted to prepare the floor for the new tile in the entire room including where the dish room had been taken out. The new security vestibule is framed in and wired, and the windows and bag access chute was installed. 

Work in Phase 5 of the project was started and continues in the locker rooms. The mason is working rebuilding the ceramic showers in both the boys and girls showers. He is building the handicap showers that are being installed as required by code. The reasoning of this work not being completed in Phase 5 is that the supplier of the ceramic block was not able to manufacture the blocks and deliver them until the beginning of June. At this point, the blocks are to be here in the next 1-2 weeks. 

The computer lab was taken apart, and the floor abated and shot blasted to prepare for the new flooring there. The new HVAC units were hung to ready the room for painting and for the new ceiling to be installed. A new wall was built for the new layout of the room, which lays out the room to more accommodating for a computer lab. The new network cabling and the wiring were installed to ready the room for finishing. 

The soundproofing in the ceiling was started and about 50% completed in the LGI to prepare the room for the new painting, lighting, and ceilings.

Work on the hallway lights and ceilings in the length of B wing and D wing of the hallways were completed, and the new ceiling grid in the rest of the main hallway is to be completed this week, and then the new lighting will be installed in the hallways. 

Outside, there are a number of items being worked on, such as the elevator shaft is started and block and brick are being installed. The entrance canopy on D wing entrance has been taken down and selected sidewalk removal for replacement.