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WILKES-BARRE — Wilkes-Barre Area School District has received a preliminary green light on plans for a possible high school in Plains Township. Superintendent Brian Costello said the state Department of Environmental Protection has given preliminary approval to the site under review, near Maffett and Main streets.
The approval was expected, Costello said, though it came a bit quicker than anticipated. The district had submitted test results from borings, and DEP determined the site was suitable for a proposed high school provided proper steps are taken — special site preparation and/or special foundation strengthening.
The approval was required because the site has some risk of mine subsidence.
The district wants to build a new high school that will consolidate grades 9-12 from Meyers and Coughlin high Schools. The original plan called for razing Coughlin and building on that site, but the Wilkes-Barre Zoning Hearing Board denied a required permit.
The school board then reviewed other sites, deciding to focus on this one. No final decision has been made to build there, but the board is proceeding in getting necessary approval from the state before looking into land acquisition.
The borings were Phase I of required testing, and Costello expects results from Phase II testing to be available in October.