MIFFLINTOWN - Architects have finished another portion of their examination of Juniata County School District buildings and shared the information on Thursday during a school board workshop session in Mifflintown.
Architects John Pryer and Joe Strenkoski from Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates presented a brief overview of the schools' electrical, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, technology and plumbing systems, and their recommendations for these systems during the next 10 years.
These recommendations take into consideration both code and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, as well as energy savings, Pryer said.
For the feasibility study, the architects have visited all the schools to "take a snapshot" of conditions, Strenkoski said.
"With no architectural changes, we look at how to make (the building) OK for the next 20 years," Strenkoski said.
While Strenkoski did not review the studies of each of the district's 12 schools during the meeting, he provided the school board members and administration with a packet of information about every location.
Generally, issues at many of the schools include code compliance for fire alarm systems and fuel oil tanks, electricity upgrades, communication systems like the telephones and intercoms and older HVAC units, Strenkoski said.
While most of the plumbing seems in good condition, Pryer recommended that the school district test the pipes to get a better idea.
Pryer said the firm presents the building feasibility study information gradually so that the school board members and administrators have time to review the documents and ask questions or present concerns before they receive the complete study and recommendations.
Crabtree representatives plan to meet with the school district administration later this month to discuss the feasibility study options and make any changes before presenting the final draft to the school board in December.
A school board workshop meeting is planned for 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School in Mifflintown. The board also will hold its monthly voting meeting at 8 p.m. Nov. 19 at the school.
In June, the school board commissioned Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates to complete a feasibility study after determining that its buildings are crowded, forcing many schools to use modular classrooms.
