Annville-Cleona board discusses potential renovation, construction plans

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

A long discussion between board members ensued at the Sept. 14 Annville-Cleona school board work session when Jason Hill, district director of buildings and grounds, presented plans for the renovation, construction and/or closing of the district’s elementary schools.

Board members were invited to tour the Cleona and Annville elementary buildings throughout the summer to see the need for renovations first-hand. Hill represented four options to the board from the June meeting that he and superintendent Dr. Krista Antonis worked with architects to plan for the district. The options included: 

• A: Renovate Cleona and Annville elementary schools for maintenance and upgrades. Cleona Elementary renovations would add flex spaces and allow six classrooms per grade. Annville Elementary renovations include adding a band room. This option was quoted at $102,455,759.
• B1: Renovate Cleona Elementary to support pre-kindergarten through first grade with maintenance needs, construct a new building for second through sixth grade at a secondary site, and sell the Annville Elementary property. This option was quoted at $73,484,988.
• B2: Renovate Cleona Elementary for maintenance upgrades, add on space to support kindergarten through sixth grade at the building, and sell Annville Elementary. This option was quoted at $77,895,510.
• C: Construct new pre-kindergarten through sixth grade building at a secondary site and keep Cleona for leasing or expansion opportunities. This option was quoted at $91,372,048.

Some board members disliked the idea of selling the Annville property.

“I’d like to see maybe some ideas on keeping [Annville Elementary] because, I mean, $2 million if you sell is not going to bring the district that much versus losing all of that access,” said member Cynthia Eby.

The issue, Antonis explained, with keeping the property is the maintenance costs on an empty building. Hill presented a $58,020 estimated annual operating cost to maintain Annville Elementary as an empty property. 

However, later in the meeting, board member Darren Grumbine questioned whether the district could keep the property and lease it until there are plans for it again.

“Twenty years from now, the community is like ‘Man, I wish we had that back,’” Grumbine said. “I’m not a commercial real estate person, but if they say ‘I can get somebody to come in and take full responsibility of that building for 20 years.’ Even if we don’t make a lot of money on it, as long as it’s not costing the taxpayer anything and the district could still maintain ownership.”

Eby agreed and mentioned the regrets the district faced after abandoning and selling the North Annville school property in 2017. 

Community member and 36-year Annville resident Anthony Finkle expressed sadness during public comment at the board’s eagerness to move forward with renovations and potential sale of Annville Elementary.

“There were two members of the public sitting here while you were discussing it and no one asked us if we had any input, which disappointed me,” Finkle said. 

“[Antonis] informed the board back in June about these options. I wish you would have included that in your newsletter, so that the residents of Annville-Cleona who are going to pay for this would have some advanced notice,” Finkle continued. “Do you know the sentimental value of the Anville Elementary School? You’ll find that the people in Annville-Cleona wanted neighborhood schools. You’re now thinking of eliminating neighborhood schools.”

During the board members’ discussion, many other ideas or options for the proposed renovations and construction were raised. Some expressed interest in keeping kindergarten through second grade in the same building and adding pre-kindergarten programs to the new secondary site building. 

“I am not for second grade moving up here,” said member Sara Fiebig. “I think when you talk about primary grade kids, it is kindergarten, first and second. Those are kids that are not tested. They are not preparing for the same things that grades three and up are doing.” 

Ultimately, the board plans to decide on which direction the district should pursue by the November meeting. After choosing a project direction, they plan to hold a public town hall meeting. 

In other news, the school board voted unanimously to approve:

• The consent agenda, which includes approval of August meeting minutes, payment of bills, tenure, resignation of an emergency certified professional and an aide, approval of a marching band volunteer and a coach volunteer, and the superintendent’s recommendation of 2026-27 district goals as presented.
• The fiscal agenda, which includes the treasurer’s report, CAIU agreement for emotional support placement of a student, SWISSuite behavior reporting software agreement, IU 13 Securly software agreement, Renaissance student belonging reporting software agreement, and disposal of property and equipment.
• The personnel agenda, which includes employment of the following: educational office personnel, district aide, year-long day-to-day substitute teachers, sports game help, coaches, and extracurricular staff.
• The program agenda, which includes a new entrepreneurship course. The district bought the course materials and staff training modules for $448.
• The other agenda, which includes contracted nutrition food service staff, contracted custodial staff, bocce ball head coach job description, MOU compass mark, leave request for FMLA, and election of PBSA officers.
• Information items, including the secondary school teacher handbook, the secondary school student handbook, the paraprofessional support guide,recognition of the 2026-27 booster clubs and club sports, student teacher/observer/athletic trainer positions, annual asbestos notification (one capsule found in one room of Annville Elementary), and acknowledgement of donations to the district.

Annville-Cleona school board will meet next on Monday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m., at the district office at 520 S. White Oak St., Annville. Meetings are streamed online and can be accessed through a BoxCast link.