Steel Delays Push Mars Elementary Additions Back Six Months

MARS — Structural steel delays have pushed anticipated completion of the Mars Area Elementary School additions into June 2027, extending the wait for more instructional space at a school serving about 870 students.

Carrie Crawford of Thomas & Williamson provided the revised construction schedule during the Mars Area School Board’s meeting Tuesday, Oct. 13. Steel delivery is expected Nov. 2, with completion of the additions now anticipated in early June.

The schedule presented to directors lists June 7 for substantial completion of the kitchen and cafeteria addition and June 9 for the three-story addition. The original construction schedule identified Dec. 15, 2026, as the substantial completion date for the additions.

For Principal Todd Lape, the expansion addresses a space shortage that has required educators to make do with shared rooms and converted closets.

“We’re out of space in the building,” Lape said in an interview. “That’s what it comes down to.”

Lape, now in his 18th year with the district, said enrollment growth has increased pressure on the building, which currently serves students in grades two through four.

Special education teachers have shared classrooms, he said, while some support services operate in spaces converted from closets.

“Whenever you have speech pathologists that are in closets working with kids, you know, that it’s not optimal,” Lape said.

The additional space will provide more room for instruction, special projects and support services while helping the district accommodate future growth, he said. Lape said plans provide for approximately 14 classrooms per grade, compared with about 12 currently.

Work continues ahead of steel delivery

Crawford said construction has continued on building systems and site improvements while the project awaits steel.

The school’s boilers were back in operation by the previous Friday, she said, and new electrical switchgear had been energized Monday while students were out of the building. That equipment will help supply power to the additions.

The concrete slab for the lobby, kitchen and cafeteria addition was poured Tuesday, Crawford said. The slab for the three-story addition was already complete and ready for steel.

A new generator has been connected but awaits a formal startup by the manufacturer. The existing generator remains operational in the meantime.

Crawford said crews had completed the asphalt paving planned for this season, with additional parking lot striping scheduled for Saturday. Remaining work includes landscaping, backfilling and installation of parking lot light fixtures once the light heads arrive.

Some site work, including curbing around the new parent drop-off loop, will occur closer to spring.

After the new kitchen and cafeteria become operational, renovations to the existing kitchen and cafeteria will proceed during summer 2027, Crawford said. The schedule also lists Aug. 20, 2027, for substantial completion of STEAM renovations.

Lape acknowledged frustration with the delay but said Crawford and Jon Thomas have been responsive to the school’s daily needs, including stopping construction activity when necessary for parent traffic.

“I just want it to be over with so we have the space that we need,” he said.

Financing and construction budget

The update followed the board’s authorization last week to issue up to $7.3 million in general obligation bonds for capital improvements at the elementary school.

The resolution establishes a maximum borrowing amount, rather than the total cost of the construction project.

Crawford’s budget presentation listed approximately $21.83 million in current construction contracts and about $792,462 remaining in construction contingency.

Last week, directors also approved an $892,747 quote from BurMac Commercial Roofing to replace the elementary school roof, funded through capital projects funds, and a $7,001.09 electrical change order covering replacement of six light fixtures and reinstallation of electrical devices.

Guardrail replacement approved

Directors unanimously approved spending $14,084 from capital projects funds to replace a guardrail removed during construction.

During Tuesday’s discussion, officials said the project plans called for removal of the existing guardrail but did not include a replacement. Because installation was absent from the plans and bid specifications, it was not included in the construction contract.

The omission prompted concerns about vehicles traveling beside a steep slope, particularly during icy conditions. Officials described the drop as approximately 30 feet.

District officials said they obtained a replacement price through the project team before seeking three additional quotes.

The discussion also addressed possible future pedestrian access to the ball fields. Officials distinguished that issue from the immediate need for a guardrail to prevent a vehicle from going over the slope.

The board separately voted 8–1 to hire Roth Marz, an architectural firm based in Erie. Director Aaron Rose cast the dissenting vote.

For Lape, the construction challenges are part of the district’s effort to keep pace with a growing community.

“I keep looking down the road at the end of the tunnel saying, okay, it’s going to be great once we get there,” he said. “But getting there, it’s a little bit bumpy.”