Four new classrooms will be added to Schnecksville Elementary School through conversion of a garage bay which once housed the Blake model space shuttle.

At the Nov. 20 meeting, superintendent Richard Sniscak said the district conveyed the space shuttle to the airport for $1 some years ago.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rod Troutman said the district wants to have the additional classrooms ready for children moving into new housing developments proposed for the area.

The board approved $88,650 for professional services to KCBA architects to implement the four-classroom project which will be Phase I of the school renovation.

Director of School Services David Keppel said design work begins now with construction to be undertaken in 2019.

He reported Phases II and III will be more extensive with renovations to the existing building.

“Some will be cosmetic with new paint and floors,” Keppel said. “There will also be new heating and air conditioning and reconfiguration of the original building.”

Troutman commented on the physical status of Schnecksville Elementary.

“The building is in rough shape,” Troutman said. “It is an ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) nightmare. It has steps everywhere.”

The project will continue in 2020 and 2021.

In another matter, Business Manager John Vignone said the audit report of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, conducted by Buckno Lisicky and Co., indicates the district fund balance grew by $1.3 million.

“We did better than projections. Real estate was a major positive in revenue,” Vignone said. “The bond refunding saved $800,000 for us.”

Vignone, however, noted tuition for cyber/charter schools and transportation for them, as well as special education costs were over-expended.

The financial picture was helped along by the contingency allotment which was not needed.

“We didn’t spend any of it,” Vignone said.