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Warren County School District crews completed a number of construction, safety and energy-efficiency projects over the summer, including the conversion to National Fuel at Beaty-Warren Middle School and paving improvements at three district schools.
Operations Manager David Undercoffer provided an update on the district's summer projects during the Warren County School District Committee of the Whole meeting August 24.
One of the projects Undercoffer highlighted was the completed conversion to National Fuel at Beaty. The project was finished during the summer despite concerns that it might not be completed before the start of the school year.
Paving projects at Warren Area High School, Youngsville Elementary Middle School and Sheffield Area Elementary Middle School were also completed, with final work taking place the week prior.
The district also completed several safety improvements at the Warren County Career Center using safety grant funding. Bollards were installed to provide additional protection around the entrance and lower parking lot, while lighting throughout the facility was upgraded to LED.
LED lighting upgrades were also completed in the gyms at Sheffield, Warren Area High School and Eisenhower Middle High School. In addition, the district replaced fluorescent lighting throughout Warren Area Elementary Center with new LED flat-panel fixtures.
Undercoffer said the district was able to take advantage of energy rebates, reducing the cost of the new lighting fixtures by approximately 90%.
"It's a really good deal," he said, adding that the district will continue to look for energy rebates and other opportunities to reduce operating costs.
Another project completed during the summer was installation of a new sound system at Eisenhower's football field. District maintenance staff handled the installation in-house.
Undercoffer praised the district's maintenance, grounds and custodial employees for their work throughout the summer.
"They do too many projects over the summers, with only two and a half months to get the work done," he said.
He said the district's schools were in good condition heading into the new school year.
District board members also highlighted improvements to the stairs leading from the lower parking lot near the Warren County Career Center to the upper area behind Warren High School. The stairs had been in poor condition and were replaced as part of the summer work.
Undercoffer told board members that the district's summer projects were largely complete and that the schools were ready for the start of the school year.