Norwin schools estimated repair tab: $15M - $17M

Norwin officials were told this week that — based on a master facilities study — between $15.4 million and $17 million is needed in the immediate future for repairs to the district’s buildings, stadium and pavement.

All of Norwin’s four elementary schools, along with the intermediate, middle and high schools, have projects that should be addressed within the next two years, said Cassandra Renninger, a principal in VEBH Architects of Mt. Lebanon, which prepared the study. Those projects were singled out as a higher priority because of safety concerns, to prevent future deterioration, or because something exceeded its useful life, said Renninger, whose firm was hired in November.

Norwin’s facilities “are aging and are in need of maintenance,” even though some in the community may consider them new, Brian Carlton, board president, said after the meeting.

VEBH, which will present more of its initial study at the board’s Sept. 14 meeting, is collaborating with experts to evaluate the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, the structural and engineering components and safety upgrades as well as a other areas. Proposed repair projects include several roofs across the district, veneer facing at the middle school, and water leaks that damaged the gymnasium floor. Safety improvements are needed for an auditorium.

VEBH is meeting with the district’s administration and the board’s buildings and grounds committee to provide additional, in-depth responses to questions, Carlton said.

Superintendent Jeff Taylor intends to seek volunteers from employee groups and community members in September to be a part of a district master facilities action committee to review VEBH’s findings and offer feedback, input, and suggest priorities for creating a 10-year master facilities plan, Carlton said.

Taylor wants to finalize a draft of the plan by the beginning of November, and receive the public’s input, before the board considers adopting it, possibly at its Nov. 16 meeting.

After hearing public comments, the district can make changes to the draft plan before presenting it to the school board as a final draft. If approved, the district will begin to address the prioritized capital projects during the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year, Carlton said.

Repairs targeted for the high school could cost between $6 million and $6.75 million, the costliest of any of the buildings, Renninger said. She said it was time to do roof repairs that were put off in the past.

Of the four elementary schools, the repairs at Sunset Valley and Sheridan Terrace would be the costliest, topping $1 million each and as high as $1.9 million for Sheridan Terrace, Renninger said. The architects recommend adding 60 parking spaces there.

A renovation and addition to Hillcrest Intermediate School, with a proposal to reroute bus traffic with new roads to the middle school, would cost between $3.7 million and $4 million, Renninger said.

Those fans who watch events at Knights Stadium should be aware that the concrete at the grandstand for the home team side of the field is deteriorating, Renninger said. The concrete holding the railings in place is spalling — indicative of water damage — which adversely affects how the railings are anchored. There are tripping hazards at the stadium, she said.

Renninger pointed out that Norwin faces “millions of dollars” in repaving costs throughout the district.

After delivering the sobering news, Dan Engen, president of VEBH, said the district’s problem is that “all of the facilities are about the same age,” having been built in the early 2000s.

“It’s just a big nut to crack,” Engen acknowledged.