The Arnold Zoning Hearing Board on Tuesday gave the green light to a future private school and an administrative regional fire office.
Matt DeHart of Harrison sought to return the 1704 Fourth Ave. building to its original use as a school for his Teach from DeHart Academy, a private school for fifth through eighth graders, aiming to open this upcoming school year.
It was once a public elementary school that most recently was the Alle-Kiski Pavilion, a halfway house that closed in 2019.
Arnold Engine Company No. 2 sought a variance to make way for office space it would renovate and rent to the Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association at 1120 Drey St.
Both plans are subject to site plan review and building permitting from Arnold, state and federal authorities.
The school
Chris David, chief engineer and board member of Teach from DeHart, said he anticipates the school opening Sept. 3. There would be about 30 students the first year, and the maximum would be 150 students.
There would be no busing but rather private transportation and drop off for students along Fourth Avenue.
DeHart said the school would use a fenced-in lawn space for outdoor activities.
There would be four teachers at the school.
The foundation is privately funded, he said.
Asked about accreditation, DeHart said: “Our teachers will be certified. … We want to be able to prove our model in year one and then proceed with accreditation after year one.”
Crews have cleared asbestos inside the building and completed an interior demolition, David said. School officials intend to use the first floor of the school and later expand to the basement and upper floors.
DeHart estimated that school hours would be from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The school also would offer adult education opportunities, such as GED programming and job training, for parents twice a week in the evenings.
“The vision is to open a private school that educates the community,” DeHart said.
DeHart does not anticipate there being any activities during the summer months. He said his goal is to have a security company patrol the building overnight and to work with the Arnold Police Department for safety and security.
One resident spoke in favor of the school; none spoke against it.
“I didn’t have any objections with the information that was presented,” zoning board Chairwoman Cheryl Williams said. “I feel the area could use a school like that to make a positive impact in other people’s lives. Hopefully, it will be successful.”
The fire office
The Arnold Fire Department requested a special zoning exception to have an office for the Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association at 1120 Drey St., space previously occupied by Big Sittoo’s Mid-Eastern Cafe.
The office would be used to sell firefighting training books, said James Duncan, representing the fire department.
Questioned by Solicitor Larry Loperfito, Duncan said the space would not be a social club or school but rather an office, with minimal visitor traffic. Duncan believed the proposed office would not harm neighboring property values and that it would not disturb surrounding residences.
Duncan said the fire department plans to renovate the 28-by-35-foot space for the office.
He aims to have that complete in about two months, if not earlier.
Signage indicating the space would be the Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association’s would replace the current Sittoo’s sign.
Williams said she thought the fire department’s proposal was a good idea.
“I don’t have any problems with that,” she said.
