GIRARD SCHOOL Construction project stays on time

Prospect Elementary School will be completed before pupils arrive.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- The construction project at Prospect Elementary School is on schedule and under budget, the project manager says.
Jack Browning of URS Construction Services in Pittsburgh told the board of education Wednesday that the work will be completed before pupils return to school in the fall.
Work began on the project last September and will be completed by Aug. 15. The building will be ready for occupancy by Aug. 30, Browning said.
In addition to the building being renovated, three classrooms and a storage area are being added.
Below cost estimates
Browning said before the meeting that the project will come in below estimates of $3.8 million.
He explained that $2.3 million in contracts have been awarded thus far with the agreement for furnishings and items such as clocks, bells and security system yet to be awarded. He said the work will end up costing about $3.25 million.
"It's coming together pretty nicely," Browning told the board. "We have plenty of time to get done in the summer."
Board member Jane Harris said she wanted a guarantee the work will be done correctly, a reference to the intermediate school that experienced chronic health problems because of poor ventilation in the building.
Joanne Carmello, Prospect principal, said the contractors are working with her to assure pupil safety.
She said work isn't being done where pupils are located.
Kudos for test scores
In another matter, the district was lauded for student test scores by Diana L. Rogers, regional coordinator for the High Schools That Work's Northeast Region.
Rogers told the board that 81 percent of students passed the reading test, 85 percent passed the math test, and 78 percent passed the science test.
The scores are a significant increase over the 2000 assessment and among the highest in the state. Rogers singled out Joseph Jeswald, school district administrative assistant, as a major factor for the improvement.
During the meeting, the Girard FIRST Robotics Team was honored, along with its advisers.
Jeswald, one of the advisers, said the team not only had to compete, but also be involved in fund raising because it lost General Motors Corp. as a primary sponsor.
The team has won two major awards, Jeswald said, noting that the fifth through eighth grades may be involved next year.
Also on agenda
In other business, the board:
UAccepted the retirement of Anthony DelBene, physical and education and health instructor, who is leaving after 32 years.
UHired psychologist George Banks to assist the part-time school psychologist with the evaluation of special-education pupils. He will be paid a maximum of $1,000 at $35 hourly.
UAwarded three-year supplemental contract to William McSuley, head football coach; James Cardiero, head wrestling coach, Bryan O'Hara, head boys basketball coach; Andrew Saxon, head girls basketball coach; and Joe Cappuzzello, athletic director.
UAwarded two-year supplemental contracts to Keith Gorby, head cross-country coach; Agostino Ragozzino, head soccer coach; and Phil Walters, head girls volleyball coach.
yovich@vindy.com