For Sale: Rowan Elementary's Modular Buildings Go Out to Bid

It was only supposed to be temporary.

When a handful of modular classrooms were placed on the campus more than 20 years ago, Linda Andreassi, director of communications, said Seneca Valley School District officials thought the trailer-like structures would be a non-permanent solution to the community’s growing population.

Fast-forward 10 years. That’s when John Giancola, Rowan’s principal, joined the school’s staff as assistant principal. The trailers were still in place, and he was mystified when then-principal Jerry Fouse referred to them as “the mods.”

Coming from a district that was losing population and featured empty classrooms, Giancola said he had never seen anything like the mods Fouse spoke of.

“I said, ‘Well if it has a nickname then it’s been here too long,” he said.

Now, 23 years after three of the modular classrooms were placed on the campus -- and about 10 years after another two trailers were added to deal with the school’s continued burgeoning student population -- the district finally is saying so long to its mods.

At Monday’s school board meeting, officials gave district administrators permission to seek sealed bids for the sale of the modular classrooms.

Assistant Superintendent Jeff Fuller said that with the budget cuts in place for the 2011-12 school budget, fewer classrooms are needed. Under the $94.5 million spending plan, which increases real estate taxes by 5.6 mills, half a dozen district programs will be curtailed. The move is expected to affect 16 teaching positions and 15 support positions. In March, 36 teachers accepted an early-retirement incentive.

For the first time in two decades, Rowan Elementary will have all its students under one roof.

Fewer classrooms also mean there will be more students per class. Giancola estimated classroom sizes would average about 24 students after the trailers are gone.

The seven modular classrooms, which were housed in five buildings and served the school’s third- and fourth-grade students, averaged about 21 students per classroom, he said.

“I think it will equal out for us pretty well as far as class size,” he said.

Giancola added that the modular buildings require constant maintenance on the stairs and roof. Students had to travel to the main building to go to the bathroom.

Giancola said a lot of youngsters enjoyed classes in the air-conditioned units. Only potions of Rowan’s main building, including the library, computer labs and office, have central air.

“I think one of the pluses was that the kids really like it,” he said. “I think they kind of thought it was like camp.”

Fuller said each building would be sold individually to the highest bidder. The winning bidder also will be responsible for removing the buildings from school property before classes resume Sept 7.

He said he does not expect the sale to generate much revenue. Before Rowan, the aging modular buildings made the rounds at several of the district’s other elementary and middle schools.

"I wouldn’t anticipate a great windfall,” he said.

Giancola said the vacant area will be used as extra play space for students.

Since Rowan Elementary was built in 1951, it has undergone three renovations, including ones in 1955 and 1959, and a major overhaul in 1990 when 17 classrooms were added.