Committee urges CPS board to choose grant

Members of the Memorial Building Committee went to the well again recently in an effort to convince the Carnegie Public Schools' Board of Education to authorize the application of federal funds to make repairs to the historic building.

Board member Lynn Ann Dietrich presented a revamped grant proposal to the board at its Oct. 20 meeting, saying the district needed to make a decision quickly on repairs. While maintaining the original proposal was the one the committee felt was the district's best option, she presented board members with smaller grant options that would lessen the financial impact to the school.

"These options presented are what we would like to have looked at, along with the larger option, which we still feel is the best option," Dietrich said. "The original proposal is there and the repair items are numbered which will explain the two new options for grant proposals we would like you to consider."

As part of the new proposal, the committee recognized two smaller grant opportunities that could help the district make roof and drainage repairs. In the proposal, Option 1 would include addressing roof and drainage issues, using the community support, the cost to the school would be $9,462. Funds from the Memorial Building Fund, the Carnegie Industrial Authority and local donations would account for most of the $63,462 needed by the district to qualify for the 35/65 percent grant. Option 2, which addressed only the roof, would cost the school $13,420. In this scenario, the donations and Memorial Building Fund would provide $18,000 instead of the $29,000 in the other two options.

Dietrich said in Option 2 the remaining funds generated through donations would be used to privately fund drainage improvements.

"That is critical to the auditorium, the practice facility and the building, as a whole," she said.

Dietrich also said the school district's portion of the matching funds could be lower than presented as the committee would continue to seek donations and raise monies that could help offset the cost.

Earlier this summer, the committee had approached the district to apply for a grant of more than $130,000 to make needed repairs, which would also aid the Carnegie Senior Nutrition Center which is housed in the building.

"Two years ago when we started this process, we were challenged to find ways to partner with the school to bring the Memorial Building, or as I like to call it, the Carnegie Public Schools Event Center, back into shape," she said. "We feel we have worked to accomplish that goal. Applying for this USDA Community Facilities Grant is our best opportunity at this time."

Dietrich also said she was in favor of keeping the Senior Nutrition Center in the Memorial Building as it could make the district-owned building eligible for other grants, and also because it gives back to the community.

"This, in turn, can provide funds for maintenance and upkeep of the building," she said. "If we fix the roof, the Senior Citizens issues go away and they can work to improve the inside. This, again, only helps the school."

Many of the challenges you (school board members) are facing at this campus (the main campus) are the same for the Memorial Building," Dietrich continued. "Mr. Axtell, the roofing contractor, has said we need to get on this. If much more time goes by and we get down to the decking, it becomes more expensive. We have a chance to not leave this to others. We have always worked to make it understood that this is a cumulative condition and this board was not to blame. Having said that, you (the board) have the chance to be the board and administration that is proactive, or the one that continues to let things deteriorate."

Dietrich, in closing, asked the board to consider one of the three grant proposals that have presented at a future meeting.

"Please consider one of these options and grant permission for the school to apply for a grant of some size," she said. "We may not be awarded a grant but at least the school and the community will have been working together."