Chief eyes ex-Mount Carmel School

By Jordan Cohen

Local funds would have to be used for improvements to the football stadium stands.

NILES — Schools Superintendent Rocco Adduci revealed that he is negotiating a lease-purchase agreement for the former Mount Carmel School on North Rhodes Avenue.

The superintendent discussed the plans during a community forum attended by more than 50 residents and teachers Tuesday evening at McKinley High School gymnasium.

Adduci said that if the negotiations are successful, the Mount Carmel building, which closed at end of the 2006-07 school year, would be used to house students during construction of the district’s two new elementary schools. That would eliminate the necessity of buying trailers where classes would have to be conducted during the construction period.

The current elementary schools in the district will be demolished.

“We would also like to use that building as the board of education’s central office after the new schools are completed, but all of that has to be worked out in negotiations,” Adduci said. The superintendent said the state is providing $850,000 to help relocate students during construction, but the money cannot be used for building purchase. Adduci declined to discuss dollar figures under negotiations for Mount Carmel.

Adduci also told residents attending the forum that he favors the second of two building options for the new high school that would require the visitor stands in the stadium to be torn down and eliminate the soccer field and track. His comments followed a presentation by Robert McAuliffe, construction manager, who said that the proposal would allow classrooms and other building features to be “based on educational requirements rather than site constraints.”

Several residents questioned the proposal, but the teachers in attendance supported it.

“What’s more important — a school that is open 200 days a year or a stadium for 10 nights?” asked Carolyn Hines, high school media librarian.

Adduci said that the Mount Carmel site has a soccer field and track that can be used by the high school. The current visitor stands, which several residents called “a disgrace,” would be torn down after the 2009 football season and replaced in time for 2010 competition. McAuliffe estimated the cost of replacing the stands from $180,000 to $300,000. The funds would have come from the voter-approved bond issue for school construction because the state, which is covering 71 percent of the cost, will not pay for stadium improvements.

Several residents warned planners to be certain that the building design meets the needs, especially if the student population increases. “Don’t even think of passing another operating levy if this doesn’t work out,” shouted one resident. McAuliffe also talked about the importance of getting it right and warned that the district should not expect any additional construction funding help from the state for 20 years.

“We have two options, and I would grade this one a B plus and the other a D minus,” Adduci said, “but this is the best layout and educationally, it’s the way to go.”

The board of education, which meets Thursday, could endorse the superintendent’s recommendation at that time. The decision would clear the way for further design work.