Grove City School Board approves $18 million renovation

Apr. 26—GROVE CITY — Grove City Area High School will undergo an $18 million renovation to upgrade electrical, plumbing and HVAC system.

The school board approved the project Wednesday in a 6-2 vote, with Randy Arnold and August Hurst dissenting.

The vote came after a discussion at a previous board meeting, when members heard complaints from supporters of the wrestling team, which might have to move out of its training room because of the project.

During the meeting, business manager Beth Harris gave presentation on the project's financial effects, including incurring debt until roughly 2040. Harris said the board would have to raise property taxes by about 6 mills over the next two years.

That would increase the district's millage rate by 8.5%, to 77 from 71 mills.

The project will include replacing the HVAC system and several boilers, getting raw sewage out of the basement and several other things.

"These are things that we need to keep our kids safe," superintendent Jeffrey Finch said. "These are things we need to do sooner than later, we can't wait to make these repairs for our students."

Part of the money will also go to improving the school's technology center and the fine arts department.

"I am particularly in favor of upgrading the technology department as I believe that is becoming a crucial part of the workforce, and I want our kids to be on top of whatever they need to succeed," board President Doug Gerwick said.

Arnold and Hurst said they weren't prepared to commit to the investment yet.

"I don't think anyone here is feeling 100% confident either way," Arnold said. "What we do has to boil down to a yes or no vote and I think having this split decision represents how we are all feeling."

Hurst said he voted against the project because he believed the district hadn't fully explored all options. He said he wanted affected organizations involved in further discussions on renovations. He believes that since the wrestling team wasn't talked with about this, other groups were likely not as well.

"For me on a project like this it's either we do the bare bones, or we go all out," Hurst said. "If we're going to spend this kind of money, why not get all the bells and whistles out of it. We can see what other groups are going to need as well."

Hurst also said he wanted to get word in writing that stakeholders of the wrestling team would be involved in any discussion of relocating its training space, and that district officials would not move forward without consulting affected organizations.

Assistant Superintendent Joshua Weaver agreed.

Many members of the public left the event displeased with the results. They believed the wrestling team would still be forced to move.

If the wrestling team were to move, it would swap with the current weight room. Other coaches would also be involved in the decision of a potential switch.

For now though, the wrestling team will stay put. The board will finish plans and approve bids before work begins in the summer.