posted by Joe Polk at 3:20 PM /
The Mt. Lebanon School District passed a resolution this week enabling them to borrow up to $69 million dollars to renovate or replace Mt. Lebanon High School.
According to School Director Joe Rodella, this move does not mean that work will be done imminently, but rather helps the district to be prepared to "work with the community to develop a solution". Some residents attending the meeting where the resolution was passed, however, feel that it is an attempt to accelerate plans for the new school while "shutting out public input".
According to School Director Joe Rodella, this move does not mean that work will be done imminently, but rather helps the district to be prepared to "work with the community to develop a solution". Some residents attending the meeting where the resolution was passed, however, feel that it is an attempt to accelerate plans for the new school while "shutting out public input".
4 Comments:
Would someone please explain to me how higher taxes cause property values to increase?
Joe, I think you are attempting to reframe Greg's comments in an inaccurate negative fashion. Although it is not as easy for people who do not have children in the school system to accept, the high quality of Mt. Lebanon's schools cost money (and even at our tax rates, they still are a good deal if you have children in the school and are directly exposed to their educational process). High quality schools keep the real estate values high so that when and if you chose to move after your children grow up, you get a nice return on your investment. I do not like paying taxes, HOWEVER, I would NEVER short change my children's education. I believe our children are our future; investing in the school district is a win-win situation. Through financially supporting improvements to our school system, we invest in the future of the region and the country as well as improve our property values.
Gina, I have not reframed Greg's comments. He has expressed his opinions, but stated them as if they were indisputable facts. There are many factors which cause property values to increase, or decrease, but I have yet to see proof that raising taxes is one of those reasons. He says that "there is no doubt" that we need a new high school. We may need improvements to the existing facility, or we may need a new school, but at this time there are many questions which need to be answered. The school board just voted to hire, at $75,000 plus expenses, a consultant to study this issue. This study has not even started, so cries that there is no doubt that we need a NEW school are very premature. You have taken my original question, and as is so often done, tried to make this an issue that somehow centers around those who do not CURRENTLY have children in school and those who do. To imply, not very subtly, that I, and others, are willing to short change your children's education is quite simply wrong, and offensive. The real issue, for all of us, is fiscal responsibility. Providing quality education is always the goal, but this does not mean that we allow the administration and the school board to spend more money every year on a district which has seen declining enrollment. Our school district is ONE of many reasons that people move to, or remain in Mt. Lebanon, but it is not the only one. Remember that approx. 70% of the residents do not have children in the system, and there are even those who live here yet send their children to private schools. Decisions made by the school board must be made with the entire community in mind, not just 30%
Declining enrollment? Mt Lebanon high school went from a jr/sr high school in the 90's back to a 4 year high school not due to declining enrollment but because of just the opposite. A couple of years ago my neighborhood elementary school was on the chopping block to be closed- now it is on the verge of being overcrowded. Also, the people who chose to send their children to private school, typically (although not always) end up sending their children to the public high school. School choice however, is another discussion in and of itself. You imply that Greg is saying raising taxes alone raises real estate values. I understood his comments as the cost of quality education not being inexpensive and therefore may involve increased property taxes. The impressive quality of our school district is what helps keep equity in our homes high. I think we'll need to agree to disagree on this Joe. I believe that it is the school district's high quality that has the biggest (not only) impact on property values. B-t-b, no one has accused me of ever being subtle so you're in good company ;-)
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