Failing storm line near Highlands High School expected to be replaced

The Highlands School Board is expected to move forward with a project to replace a dilapidated stormwater line behind the high school.

The board will vote to advertise for contract bids at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22 in the high school library. The meeting also is available on Zoom.

Highlands Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Chris Reiser said he will have more details on cost and timelines after the project is bid.

The stormwater line runs over the hill behind the high school and flows down to the Natrona section of Harrison. It carries rainwater from the school campus and surrounding property to a Natrona connection point.

The district was alerted to its poor condition by Harrison public works crews, who were forced to clean debris from the pipe.

The board voted last fall to spend about $30,000 in prep work, which included obtaining designs from an engineering firm, Civil & Environmental Consultants.

Preliminary drafts took about four months and cost about $17,000. Bid documents prepared by VEBH Architects cost another $12,200.

“The prep work is just about complete,” Reiser said.

The board could open the bids during its meeting in March.

Field trips return

Highlands Elementary School Principal Stan Whiteman said field trips could return this spring after being disrupted last year by the pandemic.

Whiteman has discussed with grade-level leaders and PTO members the possibility of students attending educational events in coming months.

Also returning to the elementary school after a covid-related hiatus is the Bite Into Books program. The partnership with the Community Library of Allegheny Valley brings a visit to second graders by librarian Susan Wilson twice in each classroom throughout the year.

Students will hear a story by Wilson during their lunch period and then create a hands-on craft and enjoy snacks related to the story.

First up is “Dragons Love Tacos” by Adam Rubin. A schedule will be posted to the elementary website.