$34.4M renovation coming to Erie County Technical School. What's done and yet to come?

Valerie Myers, Erie Times-News
·5 min read

The Erie County Technical School on Oliver Road in Summit Township is a blend of old and new this school year.

New wiring and ductwork are visible in hallways awaiting ceiling tiles, paint and flooring.

Some vocational programs are housed in temporary quarters. Others have moved into new classrooms and modern labs.

Fairview High School junior Calvin Smith creates steel handles, to replace worn parts on another machine, using a precision CNC machine during class at Erie County Technical School in Summit Township.
Fairview High School junior Calvin Smith creates steel handles, to replace worn parts on another machine, using a precision CNC machine during class at Erie County Technical School in Summit Township.

Renovations move forward: Compromise reached on funding formula for Erie County Tech School

Contractors are completing new spaces and renovating old ones in the first significant renovation of the vocational school since it opened in 1968. The $34.4 million construction project began in the fall of 2021 and is expected to be completed late this year.

The work includes additions totaling more than 21,000 square feet; new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; new administrative and student services offices, and expanded security systems.

When the work is finished, each of the school's 18 vocational programs will have a new or renovated space, including a lab and a large classroom. Classrooms previously measured 440 square feet, well below the current 660-square-foot Pennsylvania Department of Education standard.

New and renewed spaces

Erie County Technical School Director Joe Tarasovitch describes features of a new hospitality lab, made to mimic a hotel room and front-desk area.
Erie County Technical School Director Joe Tarasovitch describes features of a new hospitality lab, made to mimic a hotel room and front-desk area.

Programs already in new quarters include hospitality management and tourism, in a building addition opened this school year. The program's lab space includes a mock hotel room with bathroom, a front reception desk and a breakfast cafe.

"Students can get experience in maintenance, housekeeping and hospitality here before they go out to hotels" through a partnership with Scott Enterprises, said Del VonVolkenburg, the school's facilities manager.

The fight for funding in 2021: 11th-hour proposal might keep Erie County Technical School renovations on track

Also new are a classroom and lab for a sports therapy and exercise science program launched this school year. The lab includes a miniature gym, a half-dozen therapy beds and an ice machine.

The lab and classroom are adjacent to the school's health assistant program so the two instructors can collaborate.

Twenty-one students are enrolled in the new program, with 40 projected next school year.

"We usually have a waiting list for health assistant but got a bit of a break this school year when some students chose sports and exercise," ECTS Director Joe Tarasovitch said. "We expect a waiting list for both programs in the future."

Also new is student services space with small-group instruction areas and offices for counselors, instructional aides and the school resource officer.

Students help install air-conditioning equipment at Erie County Technical School's new auto lab. At top, from left, are Harbor Creek senior Mike Vollmer, 18; Seneca senior Ed Butterfield, 18; and Seneca senior Aaron Jud, 18. Under the car is Terry Henderson, 17, from North East.
Students help install air-conditioning equipment at Erie County Technical School's new auto lab. At top, from left, are Harbor Creek senior Mike Vollmer, 18; Seneca senior Ed Butterfield, 18; and Seneca senior Aaron Jud, 18. Under the car is Terry Henderson, 17, from North East.

Renovated spaces include the automotive technologies lab with new lighting, paint and air circulation and ventilation.

"It's a beautiful facility, and we're very proud of it," Tarasovitch said. "And no more exhaust fumes."

21st century equipment

There's also new equipment in school labs, including automotive scissor lifts and a state-of-the-art CNC mill and lathe for precision machining. The mill and lathe were donated by California-based Trak Machine Tools; total value: $150,000.

"Trak chooses one school in America to benefit each school year. This year it was us," instructor Rob Suprynowicz said.

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Junior Calvin Smith of Fairview demonstrated how the equipment works. "We write programs to tell the machines what to do," he said.

Students in the precision machining program at Erie County Technical School use a state-of-the-art mill and lathe valued at $150,000.
Students in the precision machining program at Erie County Technical School use a state-of-the-art mill and lathe valued at $150,000.

Senior Matt Sharpdrury, of Northwestern High School, demonstrated a new robotic arm purchased with federal COVID relief funds.

In culinary, baking and pastry arts, students will have their own workstations complete with range and refrigerator.

"Students will be able to follow right along with the instructor instead of waiting their turn," VonVolkenburg said.

Yet to come

Areas of the school still under construction include the main entrance; administrative offices expected to open this coming spring; an early childhood education wing with its own daycare and playground, and a separate entrance to the cosmetology lab for community clients.

A new identification scanner and hallway security doors will help staff control access to the building.

Still to come throughout the school are doors and windows delayed by supply-chain issues.

Also yet to come, though unrelated to the renovations, is a new chief administrator for the school. Tarasovitch will retire June 30.

Succeeding him will be Matthew LaVerde, currently assistant executive director of Riverview Intermediate Unit 6 in Clarion. LaVerde was hired by the school's Joint Operating Committee on Feb. 23 at an annual salary of $122,000. He will work with Tarasovitch beginning this spring and will become director July 1.

A new entrance is part of the renovations at Erie County Technical School.
A new entrance is part of the renovations at Erie County Technical School.

The funding

Local school districts that send students to the Erie County Technical School are sharing the $34.4 million renovation cost, led by the Millcreek Township School District with about $12.1 million, or 36% of the total cost.

The cost is shared based on the assessed property value in each participating school district. Millcreek's property value currently is 36% of the total value of properties in the 11 participating school districts.

'The formula is my hang-up': Millcreek School Board rejects paying more than $12.1M for technical school renovations

Millcreek Township School District had balked at that formula and repeatedly voted against tech school renovations in recent years. The Millcreek School Board approved paying the 36% share in September 2021 with the agreement that, beginning July 1, 2024, each district's share of capital project costs at the technical school instead will be based on the number of students that it sends to the school.

Under that formula, Millcreek's share of future tech school upgrades, based on current enrollment, would be about 17%.

Also sharing costs for ECTS renovations are the Fairview, Fort LeBoeuf, General McLane, Girard, Harbor Creek, Iroquois, North East, Northwestern, Union City and Wattsburg school districts.

Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: $34.4M makeover at Erie County Tech. What's done and what's underway.