posted by Joe Polk at 9:19 AM /
There appears to be two "schools" of thought among Mt. Lebanon residents regarding the high school construction project.
In one, the present facility is a disaster, and must be rebuilt from the ground up. In this scheme, supporters say the educational program will improve, families with school-aged children will be drawn to Mt. Lebanon and property values will rise. They contend the 4.1 mill tax increase cited by the district to pay for the $160 million project is not excessive, and delaying further will only lead to still higher costs in the future. To do 'nothing' is not an option, they say, adding to the present facility is not giving students the ultimate education.
Vocal supporters include parents of current and prospective high school students, members of the PTA, teachers and many high school students.
A second group in the community backs a conservative plan in light of the national economic climate. These citizens say the building isn't about to collapse into the football field. They support stop-gap improvements and a 1.5-mill tax increase. They want to divert this money over a period of years to retire existing debt. Once the $73 million debt is paid down, they say a new school can be built. They cite other potential costs facing the district including a new teachers' contract, increased costs for retiree pensions and year-to-year general budget increases which are beginning to cut into the educational program.
Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/01-21-ML-high-school-renov-B
In one, the present facility is a disaster, and must be rebuilt from the ground up. In this scheme, supporters say the educational program will improve, families with school-aged children will be drawn to Mt. Lebanon and property values will rise. They contend the 4.1 mill tax increase cited by the district to pay for the $160 million project is not excessive, and delaying further will only lead to still higher costs in the future. To do 'nothing' is not an option, they say, adding to the present facility is not giving students the ultimate education.
Vocal supporters include parents of current and prospective high school students, members of the PTA, teachers and many high school students.
A second group in the community backs a conservative plan in light of the national economic climate. These citizens say the building isn't about to collapse into the football field. They support stop-gap improvements and a 1.5-mill tax increase. They want to divert this money over a period of years to retire existing debt. Once the $73 million debt is paid down, they say a new school can be built. They cite other potential costs facing the district including a new teachers' contract, increased costs for retiree pensions and year-to-year general budget increases which are beginning to cut into the educational program.
Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/01-21-ML-high-school-renov-B
Labels: high school renovation, school district
3 Comments:
Count me in as part of the second group.
This is a nice summary of the situation. However, you only pointed out who are the vocal supporters of the first plan. Who are the vocal supporters of the second plan?
David:
All I did for this article (as I've done for the other ones that I have posted in the past) is post the first few paragraphs and then place a link at the bottom so that you can read the full article at your leisure.
Hope this clears it up for you!
Joe
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