No date has been set as to when ASD will begin to utilize the former Home-Ec classrooms of the Kittanning Senior High School for life skills classes. (KP File Photo)
by David Croyle
The Armstrong School District intends to use the former Kittanning Senior High School building for a life skills program.
ASD Director of Facilities & Property Services Bill Henley said he has been preparing the former Home Economics classrooms for occupancy.
“We’re having a ‘children with disabilities’ (program) like we used to have out at West Shamokin where they come in and do assisted living - where they learn how to cook, clean rooms, do dishes. So for three to four days a month, we will bring those children in. We are going to use the Home Ec department area of the Kittanning Senior High. So I have to leave all the power, heating on for that.”
Henley could not confirm how long the program would be housed in the KSHS building.
“We’re trying to bring it back into the District. If for some reason we feel the need to shut that building down due to budgetary reasons, then we would try to relocate those children to another area.”
Henley said the classroom was already dismantled after the last school year and was in the process of being restored for this program.
“We took out refrigerators and stoves and stuff like that. We moved it to the new school. I was able to find some other refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers, to put back into that area so the children can work on that.”
There was concern by neighbors in Kittanning’s 4th Ward that if the building was no longer used and electric was shut off, it would create a “dark hole” in the community. However, Henley assured the public that the building will continue to have full utilities.