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NEW CUMBERLAND -- The Hancock County Board of Education approved an architect for a planned renovation project at Oak Glen Middle School, Monday, although some on the board expressed concerns.
The board approved the recommendation made by Superintendent Dan Enich to contract with McKinley and Associates for the project, which will address issues caused by pyrite expansion under the building. Hancock County Schools was approved by the West Virginia School Building Authority in December to receive $987,720 toward the project.
"Now is the time," Enich said.
Joe Campinelli, chief financial officer of the school district, explained, as funding for the project was provided by the SBA, they were required to advertise for bids, receiving proposals from two companies.
McKinley and Associates was selected because of their experience with the situation, as well as their experience with the building itself, according to Mark Dziatkowicz, director of facilities and maintenance.
"They designed the building," Dziatkowicz noted, explaining the issue has occurred as a result of pyrite underneath a portion of the building being exposed to oxygen, either through air or water, causing it to expand.
Board President Chris Gillette expressed concern with the recommendation, saying he would like more information on the selection process and the proposal, but Vice Chair Ed Fields reminded the board the process of selection was not set by the county but by the SBA.
"You have to have faith," Fields said.
Campinelli said the process included a series of between six and eight questions, but the recommendation to go with McKinley over the other company was more about their level of experience on the matter, citing a similar project in Wheeling they handled.
Enich also encouraged the board to have faith in the process.
"I have full confidence," he said.
The board also heard from Matt Karpinski, who identified himself as a 2003 Weir High graduate and current New Cumberland resident and teacher at East Liverpool High School, who asked about the possibility of the county initiating an exercise science program, to be focused on more focused and improved training for the county's student athletes.