Mars Area school board approved an addition to the elementary school and change orders for the high school renovation, got an update on baseball field renovations and reviewed plans for a second driveway to the elementary school when it met July 20.

Members approved an updated plan that will add 10 classrooms to the elementary school. The previous plan called for eight in a two-story addition to the north corner of the building.

The new plan will enclose an unused courtyard and add 1,000 square feet to the cafeteria, said district architect Bob Marz. It also takes restrooms out of the new classrooms and adds boys' and girls' restrooms in the hallway.

The courtyard classrooms will block the windows for conference rooms currently used by the guidance counselor and reading specialists, said Principal Robert Zaccari.

The 10-year-old elementary school is at capacity with 710 students in grades two through four.

"I think this is the direction we need to move," said board President Kim Geyer.

Cost of the 14,000-square-foot addition is estimated between $2.75 million and $3.5 million. The district will borrow the money to build the addition, but will not seek state reimbursement because doing so would preclude them from applying for reimbursement for any other projects at that building for 20 years, said Superintendent William Pettigrew.

Also at the elementary school, the board reviewed the plans to build an access road from Three Degree Road. The school is now accessible only from Route 228.

Dr. Pettigrew wanted to bid the driveway with the addition, but board members decided to bid them separately, fearing that they might not get as many bids on the addition if the driveway were included. Board members did allow Dr. Pettigrew to hire AA Forestry and Wildlife Service to clear the trees from the site, and sell the timber. The company will receive 15 percent of what the district receives for the timber.

Board members also received an update on the revitalization of the baseball field at the high school athletic conference.

The board had voted in April to hire S&S Processing Inc. as construction manager for regrading and revitalizing the infield at the Route 228 facility to eliminate puddles on the field, adding a 12-foot warning track and installing new fencing around the field.

Tom Varner, athletic fields services specialist for S&S, told board members that bid specifications were ready and the contracts could be awarded when it meets Aug. 17, with construction to be done between September and November.

Mr. Varner said S&S added three options to the bid package. One option regrades the outfield and adds either grass or sod. Another continues the warning track to the dugouts so players chasing foul balls will feel the different surface under their feet and know they are close to a fence. The third adds a bullpen.

If the board approves the options, including the outfield sod, the project cost will rise from $195,500 to $275,000, Mr. Varner said.

Andy Bednar, assistant varsity baseball coach, said the baseball boosters group was looking for corporate sponsors to help with the cost of the project, and some additional items, such as a dedicated tractor for the field.

"We're all happy that the wheels are turning and, hopefully, we'll have a real nice field to play on soon," he said.

The board also approved a total of $334,000 in change orders for the high school renovation project. The largest one, $185,000, is for additional paving at the school. Another replaces 40-year-old lights in the parking lot with the same lights being used elsewhere in the lot.

All items were approved by an 8-0 vote, with Christian Ola absent.

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