Another Response on Athletics: Dan Remely

Another candidate for School Board asked me to post his responses to the facilities questionnaire. The following is from Dan Remely:

1) What is your view of the current condition of the field house, track & field and stadium complex on the campus of Mt. Lebanon High School?

The locker rooms and restrooms are in immediate need of total renovation. I have asked for a tour of the field to personally visualize the concerns and hazards that our student athletes endure.

2) Do you believe that it is necessary to address significant upgrading of the outdoor athletic facilities as part of the proposed High School renovation project?

The high school project has been reviewed and analyzed for several years with an equitable emphasis on academics, fine arts and athletics contained within the facility, save and except those funds proposed for renovations and improvements to the locker rooms and facilities at the stadium. Could some “outdoor athletic facilities” be included in the overall high school renovations project? Possibly, if the budget will allow. As the final plans, phase schedules, and cost estimates are prepared and reviewed, if further renovations to these facilities can be incorporated into the process, I would have no objection.

3) If so what is your specific plan (including order of priorities for such upgrades) and how much money do you believe the District should commit to this endeavor in Phase I as part of the overall High School renovation?

I have no specific plans or priorities at this time, nor do I have any idea of the dollars that are needed or that could be committed. The thoughts and desires of your group regarding the outdoor fields and facilities have not yet been reviewed by the community to determine their support, have not been designed or planned, have not been engineered, and have not been professionally costed out. Until all of these items are available for analysis, and public hearings are held, if required ( Act 34 hearings may be required if public funds that are part of the school construction project are employed), dollars in excess of the proposed budget can not be committed.

4) Separate and apart from how much money the District “should” commit to this initiative, how much money do you believe the District “will” ultimately commit as part of the High School renovation project and at what stage (i.e., Phase I) will it be committed?

In light of the required information outlined in #3 above, as well as an understanding of what the commissioners and the contributors to your effort intend to do, I would have no firm estimate of what could, will, or should be designated to these outdoor facilities proposals. Your project’s cost may vary greatly depending upon what indoor facilities are included in the high school project, and where the final budget for the high school is established.

5) Would you support our group “bridging the gap” between the resources that “should” be dedicated to address this need and the resources that “will” be dedicated by the District to address the needs articulated by our group?

Absolutely! However, as you have asked of us, I ask if you as well, are capable of building a consensus within the community to support your plan? I do not want this effort to result in a “here’s ours, now where’s yours,” rather than a team effort focused on success. Please recall the failure of the McNeilly project where no contributions were committed and the project failed.

6) Are you committed to prioritizing your specific plan while serving on the School Board and, if so, do you believe you are capable of building a consensus to support your plan on the Board?

The School Board is made up of nine members that operate through consensus on every issue. To prioritize one’s specific plan would equate to joining the Board with a personal agenda which is inappropriate and, to my knowledge, has never been successful. The Board’s “priority” is our mission, “To provide the best education for every child.” The best education includes academics, athletics, fine arts, extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, and if your goals can be incorporated to enhance this mission then they should and will receive priority from the Board and the community.

7) During the past 12 months, the School Board has referred to a two million dollar commitment of funds to upgrade the outdoor athletic facilities at the stadium/field house. At a minimum, will you vote to commit to advance funds from the capital improvement reserve of two million dollars in Phase I of the high school renovation project to address outdoor athletic facility upgrades at the stadium as part of our proposed joint private-public venture?

Funds have been proposed in the high school improvement budget for the upgrading of the stadium locker room facilities. I have supported this proposed budget item from the onset of the project.

8) What is your position regarding either renovating or demolishing Building B of the High School? If you are in favor or renovating Building B, what was the basis for your decision both financially and politically?

I support the renovation of B Building for several reasons: (1) Classrooms that meet regulations and student comfort can be completed on the lower floors and the upper floors can be improved to serve as district and administrative offices; (2) the renovation of this structure will be less costly than a complete demolition followed by the reconstructing of equivalent square footage; (3) saving B Building will meet our desire to be “green” in our development effort which will assist in securing LEED Certification and thereby possibly a higher reimbursement from the State; and (4) from a community cultural prospective, this structure has a historical significance in that it’s architecture is the same as six other buildings in Mt. Lebanon including other school facilities and the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building.

9) Would you support financially a collaborative project with the municipality regarding immediately “turfing” the field at Mellon in preparation for the High School renovation project?

I would support the concept of a financially collaborative project with the Municipality regarding the Mellon field. As to whether or not this could be done “immediately” would depend on several factors including design, engineering, planning, the time requirements of the bidding process, the schedule for completion, and of course the funds required and available.

10) Do you support re-turfing the high school stadium’s field this summer in preparation for Fall sports in 2009?

I cannot answer this question until several factors are known:

a) Will the high school construction project damage or destroy a new turf, causing an expense to replace it again, or at least sooner than its expected life?

b) What will the phasing of the high school improvements be, and will any portion of this area be needed for staging or otherwise?

c) What is the cost of this effort?

d) How long will this effort take since there are only about 8 weeks between graduation and the start of daily field use?

e) What is the timing for public notice and the advertised bidding process?

f) Are there contractors acceptable to us still available for this work to be one this summer? (And, if they are that good, why aren’t they booked for this summer?)

g) Is there money in the budget for this project?

I have no problem supporting a turf replacement proposal, however, I might think that it could be better planned for the summer of 2010.