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The construction of the new Steel Valley Elementary School hit a major milestone on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, as the final steel beam was lifted into place and secured to the structure.
The placement of the steel beam was part of the official Topping Off Ceremony held at the construction site on Tuesday. Steel Valley administrators and members of the school board were joined by elementary staff and students, as well as representatives from design and construction partners DRAW Collective, Rycon Construction, K-12, Eckles Construction Services, and U.S. Steel to officially commemorate the occasion.
Steel Valley School District Superintendent of Schools Mr. Bryan M. Macuga thanked the district's construction partners along with the school board for its unwavering support, trust, and commitment to the process of building a new school in the district, and to the faculty and staff for helping to shape how the building will impact students on a daily basis.
"Today marks a significant milestone in the construction of our new Steel Valley Elementary School," Mr. Macuga said. "It is a symbol of progress, unity, and vision for the future of education in our community."
The new elementary school will replace existing Barrett Elementary and Park Elementary, and bring kindergarten through fifth grade students together for the first time in district history. As part of the ceremony, school board vice president Mr. Dan Rojtas announced a donation from U.S. Steel in the amount of $250,000 that will be dedicated to the new STREAM space in the elementary school. The STREAM space will allow students in all grades to explore and build on their knowledge of science, technology, research/reading, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Mr. Rojtas said it's a space that the district hasn't been able to offer before, but will be able to utilize now in the new building.
"It's a facility where students will be able to enrich and enhance the principles that they're learning in their classroom in a collaborative space with other students and teachers," Mr. Rojtas said. He added that U.S. Steel's donation will help, "equip the room with all of the learning materials that will be necessary for our students to have the best possible outcomes."
Topping Off Ceremonies are traditional celebrations marking a major milestone in the construction process. The steel framework is a vital component to a structure, helping give it shape and durability. Steelworkers in Pittsburgh and beyond have long celebrated placing the final beam by having dignitaries associated with the project sign their names. Steel Valley added a little twist for its new school.
Prior to the end of the school year, students and staff at Barrett and Park were able to sign their names to large magnets that were affixed to the beam. The magnets were joined by the more traditional adornments of an American flag and a Christmas tree.
Elementary school principals Dr. Thomas Shaugnessy and Mrs. Kimberly Winters have been working alongside assistant superintendent Dr. Brian Plichta and the rest of the administration to help bring their students together more often over the past year. The two schools will continue to collaborate throughout the 2025-26 school year. The two principals were joined by a handful of students from both schools on Tuesday.
"Steel Valley Elementary will be a place where our students are empowered to reach for the stars," Mrs. Winters said. "Dr. Plichta, Dr. Shaughnessy, and I are beyond thrilled to this begin this new chapter where we will work together in partnership to provide every single student with an exceptional educational experience in this fantastic building."
Designed by DRAW Collective, the new Steel Valley Elementary School is on track to open in August 2026 in advance of the 2026-27 school year. It features ample classroom space for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, including flexible space to accomodate potential growth in enrollment. It also includes specialized classrooms for students in need of additional supports and resources. The building features a full-sized gymnasium that doubles as an auditorium with a capacity of 800 people, a large cafeteria, office space for administrators and counselors, a media center and library, and innovative, flexible group-learning spaces for special projects and activities.
"For the first time in the history of the Steel Valley School District, we will bring all of our elementary learners together on one singular campus. This unified space will foster collaboration among students and staff, streamline resources, and strengthen the educational experience for every child who walks through our doors," Mr. Macuga said. "As we watch the final beam being placed today, may it remind us of the foundation we are laying, not only for this building, but for the future of our school community. The best is yet to come, and together, we are building it."
Site preparation began in August 2024 with the demolition of Franklin Primary and Griffin Field, followed by the official groundbreaking in September 2024. More details about the new elementary school can be found at steelvalleyelementary.org.
