Hempfield high school renovation project receives $128 million budget approval

The cost to renovate Hempfield Area High School has surged thanks to inflation and increased square footage plans, district officials said this week.

The project, which was initially pegged at $97 million to $110 million, now has a $128 million price tag — an increase of about 16% to 32%.

The school board unanimously approved the renovation budget and the project’s schematic designs Monday. Construction crews are on track to break ground in June.

“(I’m) confident that the process is going to lead to a final project that will benefit district students for many years to come,” district Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said in a news release.

The district decided in March to gut the 66-year-old high school and replace everything. Major changes on the horizon include moving the high school entrance, creating a new athletic wing, upgrading the exterior, relocating the science wing and adding more space to the cafeteria and arts wing.

Current plans have the project being completed in eight phases from June 2023 to December 2025.

Before the board’s vote, SitelogIQ Vice President Michael Arnold shared a presentation on the project’s design development phase that “fills in some of the detail” of the schematic designs, which were completed in October.

Details being ironed out involve the Sportsplex design, parking options, tennis court locations and more, Arnold said.

Officials will present the design development and a cost estimate to the board Feb. 21. SitelogIQ is handling the project’s construction and management services, while Core Architects was hired for architectural and engineering services.

Also during the Feb. 21 meeting, school board directors will vote on the contentious plan to permanently close Harrold Middle School and consolidate sixth, seventh and eighth grade students into the Wendover and West Hempfield middle schools beginning in the 2023-24 academic year.

The district wants to temporarily use the Harrold building — across the street from the high school — to house ninth graders during the renovation.

Numerous parents and community members have pushed back against this plan, with more than 800 people signing a petition against consolidation.

Hempfield’s case for middle school consolidation can be found on its website.