South Fayette School Board remembers Morelli
Administrators and school directors in South Fayette took a few moments at the May 20 school board meeting to remember board member Frank Morelli, who died earlier this month. According to his obituary, Morelli died from a cardiac incident on May 5. He was 45.
“You all know our board member Frank Morelli passed away recently,” board president Leonard Fornella told those in attendance at the meeting.
“He was a loving husband, a devoted father and a loyal South Fayette Lion,” said superintendent Dr. Bille Rondinelli. “He was a dedicated school board member and a dear friend to many,” she went on to say somberly. She also remembered his “beautiful, contagious smile” and how he was “always willing to share ideas and information.”
“We already miss his personality and presence,” Rondinelli said. “He will always be remembered in our hearts.”
Fornella added, “He was a terrific board member and above all, a gentleman.”
Later on at the meeting, district solicitor Fred Wolfe told the board members they have the authorization to name a replacement for Morelli’s position until the next election. His term was set to expire in November 2015. Wolfe said it could be something for the board to consider discussing at the May 27 meeting.
Cassandra Renninger of Eckles Architecture and John Taromina of P.J. Dick presented options for the possible expansion of South Fayette High School.
The main option presented by Renninger would extend the two existing academic wings. Renninger said the academic wings on the upper floor could be extended. Additionally, flex space would be added to the center, which could be used in a variety of ways.
In the first option, the existing media center would be opened up and another flex space added. In this option, Renninger said there would “still be more space for future expansion.”
The high school theater would be expanded by 150 to 180 seats and black-box theaters, an informal, smaller type of theater, would also be added. A wrestling room was also proposed in this design, which could be added on the back of the athletic side of the building.
A total of 20 classrooms would be added, as well as three more science labs to make a total of five. In all, 47,000 square feet of new academic space would be added, Renninger said.
Board president Leonard Fornella said that at first glance, “it doesn’t look like enough space.”
Board member Teresa Burroughs said she would like to see other drawings with more space presented at future meetings.
As far as how the two-wing addition would be constructed, Taromina said it would be done in phases, and that from start to finish the project could take 26 to 28 months total. He said that would be for Eckles to design, for the bids to go out and to procure contractors. Taromina said the portion of the building not under construction would be sealed off so that students could still attend class while the work is being done.
Renninger said the next step is to “expand upon the options and talk about costs and the building scope.”