The Conewago Valley school board took a tour of Conewago Township Elementary on Monday evening, then received updates and a virtual tour via video showing what the school could look like following renovations.
Anthony Colestock, a representative with architectural design firm Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates, showed the board site and floor plans he’d previously presented, as well as a video guide highlighting new changes such as increased natural daylight and better visibility of the school from the administrative offices.
Colestock said a priority when designing the school was enhanced safety and security.
“You’ll see students are coming into one lobby space and the administrative spaces are more inward-facing to the school, where now they’re a little bit more outward-facing,” Colestock said as the video played. “We did make sure that the administrative waiting area and also the principal’s and assistant principal’s office also has the eyes to the street so they can see the parking lot, they can see the public road, they can see who is approaching the building.”
Additionally, the team has worked to better define student spaces from public areas. Layers of security would help protect students even after visitors are initially allowed into the building.
“(Visitors) enter into a vestibule. They can’t enter into the lobby,” Colestock said. “They then would have to be buzzed into the admin waiting area. Then, we strategically locate card readers so that someone that’s in the waiting area cannot access the rest of the building, whether it’s the lobby space or the administrative spaces, that they’re contained within the waiting area. We also located a conference room off of that waiting area, that if the administration needs to speak with a parent that they can bring them into the conference room, have some privacy, but they’re not entering into the back of the house of the admin offices.”
The fire alarm system, indoor and outdoor card readers and other security measures are also being considered.
The inside of the classrooms is also being carefully designed, from the cubbies to the sink.
Colestock said design decisions have been made with input from district representatives, including teachers and administration, in order to ensure the building meets their needs.
The project is moving along well, with conditional approval from the township coming soon. Colestock’s company is working to add a food service consultant and recently welcomed a structural engineer, Barry Isett & Associates, to the team.
Board members asked Colestock about design decisions, seeking more details to ensure safety needs are met.
The district will hold an Act 34 public hearing in about December or January to provide the community with more information on the cost and details of the renovations. The project will likely go out to bid in about February or March, according to Colestock.
Both Colestock and Jeffrey Kindschuh, school board president, praised the township for its cooperation.
“I want to just send out a thanks to the township for their support in this process,” Kindschuh said. “It sounds like the permitting and the reviews and such are moving right along as we had originally scheduled.”
Following the tour and building presentation, the board held additional meetings: an executive session, a study session, a regular voting meeting, and a final executive session.
Kindschuh said both executive sessions were held to discuss personnel.
During the regular meeting, the board voted to approve a resolution which will “authorize up to $15 million of tax-exempt government obligations,” according to attorney Ronald Hershner, who presented the details of the bond in place of Steven Hovis.
Hershner and Hovis are attorneys with Stock and Leader, the district’s legal representation.
“The purpose stated for the bonds would be to fund renovations to the Conewago Township Elementary School and New Oxford Elementary School,” Hershner said.
Superintendent Sharon Perry said public feedback has been positive after she and the board discussed bringing back snow days earlier this month. Rather than using flexible instruction days (FID) to hold school online, the district would simply return to traditional snow days.
The board is still considering the decision and has not yet made any changes.
Perry said the Conewago Valley Foundation for Education is on the list of recipients for the annual Giving Spree, which will be held on Nov. 7.
Perry encouraged anyone who is able to donate to the foundation.
“These particular donations through the Giving Spree help us with the teacher innovation grants and equipment and supplies of our teachers to extend their innovative practices with our students,” Perry said. “Our foundation is also planning a distinguished alum, distinguished teacher and a distinguished industry partner awards gala this year. It will be our first annual awards gala April 5, 2025 at Highland Taps and Tables.”
The board approved multiple personnel decisions, including accepting the resignation of assistant superintendent Brad Sterner. His employment will last no longer than Jan. 3, 2025.
Several extracurricular positions were also approved, including the high school musical director and head and assistant coaches for multiple teams.
The district will hold a ribbon cutting for the greenhouse at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22. The greenhouse is located near the tennis court.
A board study session will be held at the district office at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4.
A tour of New Oxford Elementary and presentation from Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates, an executive session, a study session and a regular board meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 11. The facilities meeting will be held from 6-7 p.m., with the other meetings beginning directly afterwards.
All meetings on Nov. 11 will be held at New Oxford Elementary.
Imari Scarbrough is a freelance journalist. She was a staff newspaper reporter for five years before becoming a freelancer in 2017. She has written on crime, environmental issues, severe weather events, local and regional government and more.
You can visit her website at ImariJournal.com.