During last night's meeting of the board as the buildings and grounds committee, board members heard a presentation on Plan Con parts A and B from representatives of the firm of Robert T. Scheeren A.I.A. of Indiana.

Mr. Scheeren said Plan Con A is the paperwork that presents the justification for the project to the state Department of Education and Plan Con B is the schematic drawing of the project. Both parts were based on findings from an earlier feasibility study the board authorized in January 2008. At the Feb. 16 meeting, the board authorized submitting both segments to PDE to request permission to undertake a renovation project.

Mr. Scheeren and Tom Himes of the company noted the majority of changes to the buildings represent improvements to the infrastructure at the Penn-Grampian Elementary School and Curwensville Area Elementary and Junior and Senior High Schools complex. The buildings housing Penn-Grampian and the Curwensville Area Junior/Senior High School were constructed in 1955.

The lower level of Curwensville Elementary School wing was built in 1962, and the upper floor in 1972.

The project includes replacement and upgrades to the heating and cooling, plumbing, ventilation, electrical and wiring, much of which are original to their respective parts of the building.

There will also be some upgrades to equipment and rooms in various curriculum departments, and these will be determined after speaking with instructors and administration members.

The new design will also improve safety for the students with changes to the area where visitors will enter the elementary and high school wings at the Curwensville schools complex. If the board undertakes the project, visitors will go into a vestibule and then be "buzzed" into the elementary and high school offices before they can enter the areas where the students are located, Mr. Himes said.

Norman Hatten, superintendent of schools, said the venture is "very conservative" and is "predominately to replace infrastructure that is badly deteriorating, improve safety and centrally locate some needed classrooms."

The board will be asked to approve a resolution at Monday's meeting to submit both Plan Con A and B to PDE.

Paul Carr, business manager, when asked by The Progress if submitting the resolution and Plan Cons A and B to PDE would obligate the district to carry out the project, said no but that the district would forfeit any money it has spent to date.

During its work session that followed, the board also heard the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests will be given Tuesday through March 20 to elementary, junior high and high school students.

Susan Wingard, elementary principal, in her report to the board, noted students will be asked to do their best and parents to ensure the young people get plenty of rest and eat a nutritious breakfast.

Alan Nichol, high school principal, said teachers and students have "been working diligently to ensure students are at their best for the test."

Mrs. Wingard reminded the board kindergarten registration will be held March 26-27 in the Curwensville Area Elementary Library for both Curwensville and Penn-Grampian students. For additional information, contact the elementary office at 236-1411.

Mr. Nichol noted there will be a one-hour early dismissal on April 9 in advance of the district's Easter break that begins April 10. School will resume on April 14.

William Hayward, assistant high school principal, invited the board to the performance of "Guys and Dolls" to be presented in the high school auditorium March 26-28 at 7:30 p.m. nightly. He noted, "This is very exciting time of year for the participating students, and they are working extremely hard to put on a great show."

Ronald Matchock, supervisor of curriculum and instruction, reviewed the list of summer classes available to district instructors. He said many of them will demonstrate incorporating technology into the curriculum.

At Monday's meeting the board will also be asked to accept a donation from the Softball Boosters of a 120-by-120-foot tarp that will be used to protect the softball field from inclement weather.

The board will meet for its monthly business meeting Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the boardroom in the administrative offices.