Mar 28, 2014 By Susan Schmeichel 2 min read

Prominently and proudly displayed during the March 25 Bethel Park School District meeting was a crystal plaque representing an award presented for the high school, which opened on Jan. 30, 2012.

The 2013 Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania Building Excellence Award in the Best New Construction over $25 million category was presented during the 20th Annual Construction Industry Evening of Excellence Awards held Feb. 27 at the Heinz Field East Club.

The contractor for the high school project was Mascaro Construction Company, L.P. The architect was Weber Murphy Fox and The Hayes Design Group.

Superintendent Nancy Aloi Rose accepted the award along with representatives from Mascaro, Weber Murphy Fox and The Hayes Design Group.

In a statement posted on the district’s website, Rose praised Mascaro Construction, saying the district’s experience with the company “was nothing but positive.”

During the business meeting, board members made two adjustments to this year’s school calendar. Directors approved the administration’s recommendation to apply to the state Department of Education to declare May 20 an Act 80 day, when only teachers report for professional development. The board also amended the calendar to reinstate April 21 as a spring break/no-school day.

In other business, board members awarded a bid in the amount of $657,210 to Wolfington Body Company of Exton, Pa., for the purchase of five 72-passenger school buses, five 24-passenger buses and 10 bus cameras. The purchase, which was made from the district’s general fund account, is part of the district’s routine replacement of the buses in its fleet more than 10 years old, explained Matt Howard, assistant to the superintendent/finance and operations.

The district, which maintains its own transportation unit, currently has 82 buses in service.