Moon School Board Discusses Middle School Renovation, Upcoming Budget

Jim Heck, director of operations at the , told the Moon Area School Board Monday night that the district's middle school renovation project is on track to be completed by summer 2012.

Heck said demolition of the building's interior is nearly completed and contractors have begun work on the facility's plumbing and electrical infrastructure.

"We are at the very least [on] schedule or ahead of schedule on the project," Heck said at the board's monthly workshop meeting.

After opening its $76 million high school in February, the district plans to convert its former high school, constructed in 1967, to its new middle school. The current middle school is scheduled to be demolished in the fall.

Heck also reported that Tiger Trail, the roadway that will connect University Boulevard to Beaver Grade Road through the district's campus will be completed by the end of May.

The board also approved the district's calendar for the remainder of the academic year. Students will complete classes on June 14.

In December, the board voted to end the school year on to make up days missed during a 13-day teachers strike in November that led to the closing of Moon schools. Since revising the calendar, however, the district has been forced to cancel classes twice.

The board also approved extending its contract with transit company through June 2018. The busing company, which is based in Coraopolis, also services the Cornell School District.

Other items from last night's meeting:

• The board discussed raising the public records fee for documents to the state maximum of $.25 per copy of paper. The issue will be voted on at the board's next meeting.

• The board approved a trip for students attending the academic games May 27-30 in College Park, MD.

• The board approved a trip for fifth-graders at Hyde Elementary School to participate in environmental activities May 9 and 10 in Butler.

• The board is tentatively scheduled to vote on its preliminary district-wide budget at its May 23 meeting. If passed, the preliminary budget will be available for public review for 30 days before the board's final vote.