St. Joseph School planning expansion project
By HEATHER LESKANIC

Photo by Heather Leskanic - St. Joseph's School in Lucinda is in line for a $300,000 expansion project this year. A stand-alone building is to be built next to the school to house the pre-school and kindergarten programs.

 

 

LUCINDA - A plan to expand St. Joseph School in Lucinda is proceeding with a goal to have the addition completed by the start of the 2008-09 school year. Clarion County planning commission members on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a land development application.

The stand-alone building is to be constructed next to the school to house a pre-school program.  Project representative Gib Wolbert attended the meeting and said the single-story structure will measure 45 feet by 66 feet and will include a basement. A St. Joseph parish and school committee developed the proposal following a year-long planning process. 

Al Lander, a member of the committee, said the project is expected to cost $300,000.

They plan to break ground at the end of March with completion anticipated in August.

A crew of local builders will perform the work. "We're crowded for space now," Lander said.

He said they have already succeeded in receiving the project's full amount in pledges from the community with $250,000 paid. The expansion will provide the school with the opportunity to offer a full-time accredited pre-school program for up to 20 students. They currently offer a part-time program.

Parents will still have the choice whether to have their child attend part- or full-time.

County engineer Kevin Reichard said he has checked the site and "it looks very adequate" for the design proposal.