Greater Johnstown board approves move of central administration to downtown office

The Greater Johnstown School District board voted to relocate its central administrative offices to a downtown office suite and approved a move vendor, citing rising repair costs and improved public access.

Business manager Paul Butchko told the board the district’s current administration building requires major capital work — including roof replacement bids ranging from $547,000 to $660,000 and an initial HVAC estimate of $142,000 — and would require the district to take on debt to cover near‑term repairs. "To ensure a district operates effectively and remains accessible, our goal is to relocate to an updated, efficient, and fully accessible facility," Butchko said. He presented a comparison showing an estimated 10‑year savings of roughly $400,000 if the district leases downtown space rather than finance repairs.

Butchko said the proposed site — listed in the agenda as Suite 200 in a downtown plaza identified by the administration — is near public transportation and would include negotiated parking and utilities in the lease. He told the board moving costs and setup would include technology setup of about $12,000; the recommended mover quote was $12,241.50. "By moving the district, it eliminates many [ongoing] costs leading to further financial savings that directly benefits both the district and taxpayers," Butchko said.

Board members and staff noted next steps to ready the district’s current property for sale. A district staff member from the floor recommended obtaining an updated appraisal of the Broad Street administration building before marketing it; the staff member said an appraisal is required to pursue a private sale and related filings with the court of common pleas. Another staffer told the board the district is not required to hold a 780 hearing because the administrative building is not a school building, though the sale process still requires standard public sale procedures and filings.

The proposal drew public comment and pushback. A resident who identified himself as John criticized selling district property and questioned the district’s choice of downtown office, saying it appeared to favor certain local business interests. "You['re] using taxpayers' dollars to subsidize the wealthiest man in town," he said. A parent and health‑care worker, Robin, raised separate concerns about other district projects and student safety at dismissal, saying "kids are just literally running out into traffic." Superintendent Dr. Arcuri responded to public comments and explained operational challenges at the current building, noting HVAC failures, leaks and limitations that hamper classrooms or repurposing the space. "It might look really good on the outside, but...putting lipstick on a pig," Arcuri said, arguing the facility has poor long‑term value for classroom use.

On the motion recorded in the agenda as PO15, the board approved relocating the administration office from the Broad Street address to the downtown suite listed in the agenda and awarded the move quote to Nalton Brothers Inc. at a cost not to exceed $12,241.50. The motion was moved by Board member Michael and seconded by Bruce; the board recorded the motion as approved.

The administration told the board that the sale of the current building and any subsequent disposition will include required legal filings and that staff will return with appraisal information and next steps for marketing. The board did not finalize a sale price or timeline for a disposition during the meeting.

Proponents said the move would reduce immediate capital borrowing and improve access for families who use public transportation. Opponents said selling district real estate should be approached cautiously and asked for additional detail on parking arrangements and the full cost comparisons before any sale is finalized.

The board approved the relocation and the vendor award; staff were directed to obtain an appraisal of the existing administration building and to follow statutory sale procedures if a disposition is pursued.