JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley's property on Ehrman Road is the best fit for the new kindergarten through sixth grade building that is being proposed to replace the Evans City Elementary and Middle School, according to the architect.

Michael Corb, leader of CannonDesign's Pittsburgh office and education practice, presented an update on the work being done to design the new building at Monday's school board meeting.

He laid out feedback they received from student, parent, faculty and administrative focus groups about school design and looked in-depth at the specifications of both properties being considered: the current Evans City School property and the undeveloped property the district owns on Ehrman Road in Cranberry.

“Based on the criteria from user groups and our professional analysis, Ehrman seems to meet the need at this point more than the Evans City site has the ability to meet (it),” Corb said. The Ehrman Road property sits on 150 acres, with 86 acres in Cranberry Township and 64 acres in Jackson Township. The school board took a tour of the property on Ehrman Road in lieu of its June 4 school board meeting.

While the property is undeveloped, there are about 33 acres on the Cranberry side of the property that could be developed. The entrance would be off Ehrman Road across from the Foxmoor development, with the possibility of a second entrance further west on Ehrman.

The Ehrman property could accommodate 3 acres of play area and two playing fields, as well as extensive natural areas.

While the Evans City property is relatively flat with easy access to Route 68 and side streets, it is 17 acres with about 13 developable acres. It would also require the site to have phased construction for the demolition of the existing building, Corb said.

Evans City has space for 1.5 acres of play area and fields.

The project timeline has site selection occurring later in 2018 so schematic design and design development can begin. Corb said they would look to bid the project near the end of 2019 and start construction shortly thereafter.

Design elements that stood out to the focus groups were having flexible, transparent spaces where classrooms are organized closely together with other learning spaces.

Safety was a big factor for parents and community members. “They really talked about wanting a building that makes kids feel brave enough to take risks in their learning,” Corb said.

Another thing that stood out to teachers and staff is the need for amenities that could be quickly and easily reached, or flexible spaces that could be used for multiple purposes.

“Like the gym: we need a gym but we don't need it to be the only place where fitness can happen,” Corb said. “Why can't the corridors be used for some type of activity?”

Corb will be back at the board's Aug. 13 meeting with more details about building on each site, like cost estimates, building footprints and possible site plans with hope of deciding on a site.