Rehabilitation project underway to turn Rankin Elementary into community center

RANKIN, Pa. — The elementary school right in the middle of Rankin has sat dark, empty and abandoned for years.

“As a kid, I went to Rankin School in preschool, kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade,” said Delrico Fletcher, a Rankin community member and mentor.

Fletcher has not lost hope for the school’s future.

“I see potential, what it used to be, what it could be, what it did for me for self-confidence for self-esteem, being able to build with your friends and older people in the community,” Fletcher said.

He’s not alone with that vision.

“In every community where you have a high experience of violence, there’s an old school building like this that’s sitting vacant. Vacant buildings aren’t good for us, for our police force, or the community who lives here,” said Dr. Daniel Castagna, Woodland Hills School District superintendent.

The school district, along with community partners including the District Attorney’s Office, is tackling a rehab project to open the doors for the first time in years.

“This collaborative effort will make improvements to public safety in the area and provide community members with skills they need to succeed. Our goal is to engage the children of our community in education. We greatly look forward to working together on this project,” said District Attorney Stephen Zappala.

Now starts the cleanup project to get it all started.

“The first step is cleaning the building out. We are going to retrofit lights with LEDs to make them brighter inside and outside. Security cameras are already in place, alarms already in place,” Castagna said.

By Sept. 1, the hope is to open it up as a community center. It will be complete with a cafeteria, gym, adult instructional space and even a daycare and preschool.

School Board President Carlton Scott emphasized the school board’s commitment to finding creative and innovative ways to enhance the relationship between the school and the community.

While it’s not costing the district much to clean up and reopen, Castagna said he knows the benefit to the people far outweighs the operational costs.

“I want my students walking distance away from someplace they can go that is more constructive, maybe other things they can get into, if they need help or just want to have time with their mentor groups,” Castagna said.

The goal is to have a space with a purpose where there was never a space before and inspire a model for other schools to potentially follow.

“Just a space where everyone can come and break bread and learn, enjoy and laugh and know you are safe. It brings you a sense of pride. Also, the community knows this is where our kids are at, the police know this is where our kids are at, just one-stop shopping,” Fletcher said.

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