Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Letter: Our Community Faces Formidable Challenges

The following letter to the editors was submitted by John David Kendrick and John Ewing:

Our community faces formidable challenges. The question is not if we need to act, but what course of action we must take. Therefore, we must continuously challenge ourselves to think of innovative ways to equitably fund both our school district and municipal government.

Many of our residents realize the tremendous role that philanthropy presents. If our community makes an investment, like the building of a new school, and uses a tax increase to finance the purchase, the tax increase has a detrimental impact on household cash flows and lowers the values of all property that is impacted by the tax increase. Alternatively, if the community makes the same purchase by seeking contributions from residents, school alumni, corporations, and foundations then the same investment is possible without raising taxes.

Mt. Lebanon has demonstrated that charitable contributions are an excellent funding alternative to tax increases. The Mt Lebanon Public Library and the Municipal Public Safety Building are both excellent examples of how private contributions helped our community to gain valuable assets with only positive impacts on our property values. We have often wondered, "Would the community have resisted the construction of the new high school project if the funding for the project came entirely from private contributions?"

The basic tools are already available to the school board to encourage voluntary contributions from alumni and other folks. We have a Directory of Alumni with contact information, we know where residents and parents live and who in the community is interested in philanthropy.

Yearbooks are available to show alumni interests during their student years. If turf is a need we can solicit those who played sports on the turf on a regular basis; if we need a swimming pool we could solicit past swimmers for donations and so forth for other sports, fine arts and club activities.

In addition we could upgrade our website to show schematic and design drawings of projects that need to be financed. The website could be expanded to include email communication among those who are supporting the school. Many colleges already have this feature so the implementation could be easily duplicated in Mt Lebanon.

After email addresses are available the Internet could be used to communicate with friends of the school. Our Athletic Director could write a weekly email to alumni and friends about the success of our athletic teams and the Superintendent could write a Message to Friends two or three times a year about the plans and successes of our District.

Professional fundraisers could be employed to solicit larger gifts and our Solicitor’s law firm could provide some basic legal advice to donors about planned giving, gifts of stocks, and bequests from estates.

The Board needs to authorize startup funds; fortunately we have the funds balance to accomplish these tasks.

So my thought is, "How can we institutionalize philanthropy to fund our municipal government and our school district?" Again, these are not a new concepts, but ones that have worked very well for US colleges and universities. Unfortunately, we have not thought about institutionalizing this process in our municipal government and our school district.

Sincerely,

John David Kendrick and John Ewing

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36 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

The coming crisis in suburban schooling

(A couple excerpts)

The cost of buying a home in communities with good public schools is becoming prohibitive. According to Harvard Law professor Elizabeth Warren this development is the largest cause of bankruptcy in America.

The recent bursting of the real estate bubble is changing the ratio of property taxes to home values. The result is increased pressure to lower school budgets.

The per pupil cost at suburban public schools is now higher than the per pupil cost at the average non-public school.

Take a look at this link for the full document.
http://www.yankeeinstitute.org/wpcontent/69922%20Suburban%20School%20Study%20complete.pdf

Sue Dixon

September 07, 2010 10:29 AM  
Anonymous John Kendrick said...

Hi Sue,

I wasn't able to find that particular document, but it's an intereting concept.

Thank you very much for sharing it with us.

September 07, 2010 1:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice job, Gentleman. Believe it or not, I am new to this School District "stuff." I got involved in January, so I am trying to learn as much as I can. What about mlfe.org? The website says, "The Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education was founded in 1999 and is a donor advised endowment fund through the Pittsburgh Foundation." I am confused though. We can now give through United Way, but they are not accepting grants at this time.
Why should we give through United Way when the website says they are not accepting any grant applications? Isn't this an impediment to philanthropy? You have to form a partnership with the administration or supervisor?? The donors don’t have a say as to where the money is sent??
Is there a needs list somewhere? Here is the mission statement: "The mission of the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education is to provide a permanent source of financial support to enable the Mt. Lebanon School District to expand and enhance learning opportunities for its students." How can that be if they are not accepting any grant applications at this time? Is the board list up to date? And like every other District website, it seems to be out of date with the latest newsletter being April 2009. This seems like an ineffective organization. Perhaps MLFE should be restructured with new people on the board who can give by example and therefore influence others to give.
Didn't the high school kids raise over $150,000 in a weekend? What is MLFE doing?
Elaine Gillen

September 07, 2010 3:57 PM  
Anonymous john Kendrick said...

Hi Elaine,

You are completely correct. One of the problems with both the school district AND the municipality is that there is no process that institutionalizes collections other than taxes.

Granted, it's less effort to push a tax increase onto the community, but these alternatives are available, provide the community with the benefit of the resources, and don't have an adverse impact on our property values.

September 07, 2010 4:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice job, GentlemEn. grrrr. I am starting to write like the School District writes. Sorry about that.
Elaine Gillen

September 07, 2010 4:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Elaine:

People donate to the MLFE by becoming Members. Just click on the Members tab. I agree that it could perhaps be designated a little better, but they have various membership levels including:

Student/Teacher $15
Senior (over 55) $15
Individual $25
Family $40
Business $50

Donor Categories are also handled by amount:

Donor $100-$249
Contributor $250-$499
Sponsor $500-$999
Sustaining $1000-$1999
21st Century Fund $2100

Of course, I'm sure they will take donations in any amount above $2100 (or below $100) as well and they have a link to Paypal

The United Way feature is just another way for people to give. That UW information is on the site to provide interested folks with the agency number to include on the form they complete at work for their payroll deduction.

Lastly, I think the site indicates that they are not currently *accepting* grant applications (i.e. requests for money to be distributed OUT OF the fund). Maybe they are not accepting grant applications because they dmenad for money exceeds their means. or perhaps they have enough applications to review for this year. However, I'm sure they'll gladly take any donations TO the fund and I would encourage everyone to consider donating.

September 07, 2010 4:28 PM  
Anonymous John Ewing said...

Mrs. Gillen,

According to the tax return of the Mount Lebanon Foundation for Education the amount raised by the MLFE in the five (5) years ending 6/30/2009 was $144.539 or about $29,000 per year.

Only $44,261 of the $144,539 came from PUBLIC support over the total five-year period.

Our children collected $156,000 in this year through voluntary giving.

The mission of the MLFE is to collect funds for “innovative education.” No further information is available about a Donor’s gifting options on the MLFE website.

September 07, 2010 4:49 PM  
Anonymous John Kendrick said...

Hi Mr. Franklin,

Welcome back.

Three questions:

(1) I didn't notice your name on The Board. Do you belong or plan to join?

(2) Would you be willing to contribute to the entitlements that the athletic supporters have requested?

(3) Don't you agree that if we collect the money ourselves then we'd eliminate the overhead of a third party like the United Way?

September 07, 2010 5:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gosh darn it, Dave! I have been looking at the site and see that my kid was a contributing artist to the cookbook. I guess I have to buy a cookbook now. B>)
Elaine Gillen

September 07, 2010 5:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The latest MLFE newsletter is APR-2009.
Hasn't anything happened in the last year and a half? David Huston

September 07, 2010 6:08 PM  
Anonymous John Kendrick said...

Hi Mr. Huston,

Do you mean other than a tax increase? ;)

Seriously, this is an important revenue channel that is a wonderful opportunity for our community.

September 07, 2010 7:07 PM  
Anonymous John Ewing said...

Hello Mrs. Dixon,

One reason for the cost increase in the ML School District is that the school board budgets the maximum expenditure at every turn. Two examples are:

a) The High School Budget is near the referendum limit to keep the public from voting, and

b) The five-year Teachers Contract is 4.15% each year compared to Char-Valley at 2.5%. ML had to buy back the management rights given away in previous contracts.

If we want a great high school building and competitive salaries we need voluntary giving to supplement MLSD revenues. The Mount Lebanon Foundation for Education and our Strategic Planning Goals need to be connected by a voluntary gifting program.

September 07, 2010 8:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sorry this link failed...it should be correct now.

The coming crisis in suburban schooling

http://www.yankeeinstitute.org/wp-content/69922%20Suburban%20School%20Study%20complete.pdf

Hope this link works - if not google The coming crisis in suburban schooling.

Sue Dixon

September 07, 2010 9:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No need to welcome me back. I didn't go anywhere. Unlike some, I only tend to comment when I have something NEW to say. I'm also not sure what about my offering some accurate info about the MLFE led you to jump on me, but here we go again . . .

1. I'd be happy to lend my efforts to the MLFE if they need Board members. After all, I prefer doing over ranting. I previously served on the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment Board at the request of one of its founders Dale Colby. That endowment was formed with a similar understanding that many defining characteristics of our community will require private funding. I would encourage everyone to check out their website: www.mtlebanonendowment.org. Unless of course you're just going to visit the site so that you can come back here and mock them.

2. I have and will continue to contribute to the maintenance and improvement of our athletic programs and facilities.

3. I think the UW does a great job of making giving easier. The payroll deduction allows agencies to more easily connect with donors and it makes the process of donating easier for the individual. In fact, if you're not raising money at the workplace through the UW, you're probably losing donations.

What annoys me about your comments (and Mr. Ewing's and Mr. Huston's) is that you write a letter urging private giving and then question (no, criticize) the manner in which people are trying to accomplish that task.

To quote Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men, "I would rather you just said thank you and went on your way." Otherwise, put down your opinions and your rants and pick up a laboring oar. There's plenty of rowing to go around.

September 07, 2010 9:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The MLFE spends 33.94% on administrative costs and 5.89% on fundraising costs, according to the PA Dept. of State.
The MLCE spends 24.98% on administrative costs.
Is this a good use of charity dollars? David Huston

September 08, 2010 7:16 AM  
Anonymous David Huston said...

I encourage private giving.
Simply send a personal check to 7 Horsman Drive, 15228.
No middleman organization necessary. David Huston

September 08, 2010 9:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

From today's Almanac:
"Ground was broken for the new Bethel Park High School on Sept. 12, 2009 and the new building is scheduled to be completed in March 2012, with the school opening in time for the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year.

The new Bethel Park High School will include 94 classrooms, a 1,300 seat auditorium, a 2,350 seat gymnasium, an eight-lane swimming pool, a large group instruction room/small theater, television studio, band room and cafeteria with a connecting outdoor courtyard.

In August 2009 the Bethel Park Board of School Directors awarded bids in the amount of $73,312.745 for the construction of the new high school and the eventual demolition of the current eight building campus, once the new school is completed. Those bids were 18 percent under projection and the total cost of the new school is estimated at $88 million, which includes technology, furniture and equipment as well as other "soft costs," such as architect fees, construction management fees, engineering fees and site work.

I love it, so while we here in Mt. Lebanon banter back and forth playing the School Board's Game of "Let's You and He Fight" (see GAMES PEOPLE PLAY by Eric Berne) Bethel has moved forward and actually moved their project towards completion. And at significantly lower costs!
Dean Spahr

September 08, 2010 9:49 AM  
Anonymous John Ewing said...

The Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and was established to build and manage a permanent fund to bridge the growing gap between shrinking budgets and the increasing costs of maintaining the community’s character. Its objective is to provide a sustainable philanthropic vehicle that preserves and enhances the community for current and future generations.

The community’s Board of Commissioners conceived the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment in early 2002 as an independent entity that would build a permanent fund to support Mt. Lebanon and its unique character. The organization applied for non-profit 501(c)(3) status, which was granted late in 2009. The first grant was made to the Mt. Lebanon Library in 2009.

That is a great mission and the goals of the organization are very much aligned with the thinking expressed in this thread. What Mr. Franklin chooses to call a rant is very much what his friend Dale Colby expressed when the idea of a community foundation was conceived in 2002.

There are many talented board members on the Community Endowment but most cite their involvement in ML youth sports so we are back to the same athletic supporters that influenced the school board election and ran up the cost of the high school beyond our community’s willingness to pay (See Petition opposing high school costs with almost 4,000 signatures).

Additionally, we don’t have seven years to restructure the MLFE if we want to pay the school bills in a timely manner. This is a job for a balanced professional leader and staff to accomplish in a shorter time frame. Academics need to be supported by athletics not the other way around.

That said, because of his professional and social standing within the Greater Pittsburgh Community I think Mr. Franklin would make an excellent member of the MLFE board if the organization were willing to restructure and connect their philanthropic mission to the MLSD Strategic Plan goals.

September 08, 2010 10:39 AM  
Anonymous John Kendrick said...

Mr. Franklin,

I admire with your comment, " I'd be happy to lend my efforts to the MLFE if they need Board members. After all, I prefer doing over ranting."

I would love to see you participate! You seem to have some wonderful insights into our community, and so many have expressed their admiration for you. Would you please consider contributing your efforts?

Thank you.

September 08, 2010 12:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr. Ewing, you’re making my head hurt. For the last few weeks you’ve been suggesting – no, demanding – that those who support field improvements should raise the money from private donations. I think you’ve referred to us as “deadbeats” for not raising these funds through private donations. But now you have a problem with the fact that the MLCE has a few Board members who support youth athletic programs, parks and field space.

For heaven’s sake Mr. Ewing, how on Earth can us deadbeats ever make you happy?

And I guess I have to wonder why the MLFE would ever want a deadbeat like me on their Board.

September 08, 2010 12:25 PM  
Anonymous John Ewing said...

Mr. Franklin, first you said the cost of the high school was too high; then you said you wanted the high school more than you wanted the new stadiums (You wrote the naming rights contracts for Heinz Field and PNC Park) so your stand became inconsistent.

Next you blogged the high school project isn’t expensive enough and you want the Municipality to turf and light Mellon Field (a school district property) and Dixon Field. When you were asked if you would contribute you refused saying you assumed since they were in the budget so you didn’t needed to do that.

Mr. Kendrick asked you if you would serve on the MLFE Board and I suggested you would be a good candidate because I respect your social and professional standing in the Pittsburgh Community. Now you appear to be retracting your offer to serve less than 24 hours later. Why?

I think your head is spinning because you don’t know where you stand and neither do I. Please, Mr. Franklin, make up your mind to support the athletic supporters with your volunteer efforts to raise some funds or go back to work and earn the money to contribute to the voluntary gifting effort our friend Dale Colby suggested we need in Lebo.

My head is not spinning but my eyes are racing from one side of my head to the other watching you change the direction you are running. Are you changing directions as the wind blows or are you a stand-up fellow who will do what is right for Mount Lebanon?

September 08, 2010 1:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dave, thanks for letting me know about yet another organization dedicated to voluntary giving. I hadn’t heard about this one either. And yet, the Blog-Lebo boys had a link to both of these organizations and others on the side bar of Blog-Lebo. I need to pay closer attention. I noticed that both organizations were formed pre-Mt. Lebanon Civil War days, before the days when the School District had divided our community over a high school renovation by suing the Municipality and moms who got in their way. Now, people are identified as those who are pro or against the District ways, instead of working together to make Mt. Lebanon a better place. We have the tools to accomplish this, yet we just can’t seem to get it all together. Maybe we should embrace Dale Colby’s vision to build and manage a permanent fund to bridge the growing gap between shrinking budgets and the increasing costs of maintaining the community’s character. It is time for these organizations “to think of innovative ways to equitably fund both our school district and municipal government...Charitable contributions are an excellent funding alternative to tax increases.”
Elaine Gillen

September 08, 2010 3:41 PM  
Anonymous John Kendrick said...

I have to agree with Elaine. I never thought that I'd live to see the day when we would see plain clothes Mt. Lebanon policemen in the school board meeting audience prepared to stand between The Board and our community.


My personal opinion is that the single event of a police presence to protect The Board (if necessary) highlighted the low level of support that our community has for the proposed school construction.

In contrast, if the school construction was funded by private contributions then the community would "vote with dollars" and the will of the people would have emerged. By using private contributions the community would have simultaneously gained a valuable asset and protected our property values.

Instead The Board called the cops and then raised the taxes!

It was a very, very, very sad day for our community.

September 08, 2010 6:50 PM  
Anonymous David Brown said...

These are all great ideas but I think we are overlooking something. We need a Plan B in case for some unforeseeable reason all the voluntary charitable contributions together are not enough to run the schools. What if, even after spamming and guilting everyone relentlessly, we still don't have enough?

Assuming we would want to cover the shortfall, and we sure don't want to borrow the money, maybe we could somehow force everyone to make voluntary contributions. We would just need a formula to make it more or less fair for everyone. I'm just thinking outside the box here.

September 08, 2010 9:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr. Ewing, thanks for the good laugh. While I don't believe I owe you squat, I will gladly respond to your recitation of the facts:

1. I have and will continue to believe that $113 million is too much to spend on the high school, regardless of what is included in that number. I have never once suggested otherwise.

2. I have no idea what you mean when you say that I "wanted the high school more than I wanted the new stadiums." I don't even know what that means. Help me with that one please.

3. Yes, I prepared the naming rights agreements for Heinz Field, PNC Park and more recently the Consol Energy Center. Not sure what my job has to do with any of this.

4. My comments in favor of turfing Mellon and Wildcat were made in response to Dan Miller's blog post about capital improvements that the Municipality is considering. Again, I believe that the Municipality should invest in the improvement of these facilities. If others prefer an elaborate water park, something else, or nothing at all, that's fine. Ultimately, the Commission will decide after taking the pulse of the residents.

5. In response to your assertion that the athletic boosters broke an $8 million promise to Mr. Remely, I suggested that any such promise became moot when Mr. Remely and the SB majority approved plans for the school that included this component in the design and the total project cost. You didn't donate to the polio vaccine campaign did you?

6. I have never suggested that I wouldn't donate to athletic facilities. In fact, I've frequently said just the opposite.

7. I remain happy to serve on any Board in Mt. Lebanon if they have an opening and I have something to offer. Sadly, you're so wrapped up in conspiracy theories, intervening in lawsuits between the municipality and the district, and a few more right-to-know requests that you can't even grasp my sarcasm. I thought it was funny that you've been calling me a deadbeat all month but now I'm worthy of a seat on the MLFE Board. I apologize if you missed the joke.

8. As for making up my mind to suit you, my initial response is probably not suitable for this forum. That said, I prefer to do both if that's okay with you Mr. Ewing. I'll continue to contribute my own time, money and solicit funds from others to support athletics in Lebo. I'll also keep my job so that I contribute to those causes within and outside of Mt. Lebanon that are important to me and my family.

I hope I have satisfied your bizarre and creepy curiousity about my "position" on these issues, and I'd be happy to hear what it is you're DOING to make Lebo a better place.

September 08, 2010 9:49 PM  
Anonymous John Ewing said...

Now I am really confused, Mr. Franklin. First you volunteer, and then you don’t volunteer; now you are volunteering again - all within two days.

Perhaps you would not make a good board member after all; you change your mind too often.

Athletic supporters that break an $8-Million promise to the school board shouldn’t make another $1-Million promise to the municipality.

Kept Promises talk,
Blatant Sophistry walks.

September 09, 2010 10:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I give up. I used to enjoy this Blog. Lately, however, it’s become too aggravating trying to respond to the likes of a few one trick ponies who don't enjoy the mature exchange of ideas and who are so consumed with controlling the conversation they don't even realize when someone is agreeing with them. Good luck Joe and Tom. I’ll continue to stay involved, but I'll spend my energy in more productive forums. Thanks.

September 09, 2010 11:07 AM  
Anonymous John Kendrick said...

Mr. Brown,

For me, the "Plan B" is that we don't spend the money that we don't have. That's one of the many problems with the MtLSD today - they spend independently of the economic cycle, concerns of the homeowners, etc. It's bad policy, period.

Many states, like Indiana, are "debt-free". When Purdue built their new stadium, library, athletic centers, and launched a massive expansion of the campus, the university paid cash for everything.

We need to view our school in a different perspective. We should tax to meet the minimum requirements of the mission, and then we incrementally add programs as funding is available. In the process, we will generate sustainable funding streams through contributions that will support many programs and take the burden off the backs of the tax payers.

September 09, 2010 12:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My question is what about the $8 million? Why would the School Board turn that down? Dave Franklin writes, "Your beef shouldn't be with the athletic boosters, it should be with the SB who has included this component on a fully funded basis, thus ELIMINATING the need for any private fundraising efforts." This is exactly who we should be going after. All the back and forth here is doing nothing for us, and the SB is sitting back laughing at all of us. I write to the SB daily, and rarely get a response, but I still write. They have the power to stop this runaway train, but they don't. There are school board members who are also members of MLFE, which I don't understand, but they can hold the MLFE accountable at every turn for fundraising. But they don't. They can ask for a plan that we can afford and complies with zoning ordinances. But they don't. They can stop wasting our money on legal fees. But they don't. They can go back to the athletic boosters for their pledges. But they don't. They can give 2.5% raises to our administrators as voted. But they don't. We should be going up to the microphone at school board meetings. But we don't.
Elaine Gillen

September 09, 2010 4:32 PM  
Anonymous John Kendrick said...

When you think about it, Dormont institutionalized private contributions through the annual July 4 car raffle for their Fire Department.

Why don't we (Lebo) do the same?

Our raffle could help to support the maintenance of our parks, or other municipal services.

My point is that the Dormont VFD has institutionalized a process that provides a sustainable revenue stream that helps to provide city services.

We need to start thinking the same way.

September 09, 2010 8:47 PM  
Anonymous John Kendrick said...

- and the real estate agents and real estate firms who have capitalized on "THE PROCESS" in Mt. Lebanon should also be asked to contribute to maintenance of our parks through an "Adopt a Park" program.

Their annual contributions would help with our community tremendously!

September 09, 2010 8:53 PM  
Blogger Matt C. Wilson said...

John (K),

Having read both your proposal for the district and municipality as well as this letter, I find myself with three questions.

I think an understanding of your answers might better contextualize your concerns.

The questions are:

What is it that made you choose Mt. Lebanon as a home initially?

How do you feel it has changed in the time you have lived here?

What aspects of the community do you find that haven't changed, or improved, that make you choose to stay and continue the improvement process?

At times when I read your posts I'm puzzled by a position that seems at odds with some of the historical values our community has prioritized, like parks and taxpayer funded fire service.

September 10, 2010 1:38 PM  
Anonymous John Kendrick said...

Matt,

You've presented a series of questions that are directed towards me personally and not towards any issues that I have presented, and therefore no response is required on my part.

I would suggest that you investigate your perceptions in greater detail before stating what are very clearly incorrect assertions on your part.

In fact, start with bullet #4 of the Mt Lebanon School District Master Design Team Meeting Minutes of September 21, 2009. I sense that is the real motivation behind your remarks.


Very truly yours,
John Kendrick

September 11, 2010 12:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I know, I know, I swore I was off the blog. However, I had to chime in again on Kendrick's continued nonsense. I'll ignore the obvious hypocrisy in his refusing to answer questions directed at him, while demanding answers from everyone else. Instead, I'll just point out that this entire debate (what to build, keep, spend, etc) will be entirely controlled by what people want/need/like/use/etc. So Matt, if he doesn't want to involve himself in the discussion that's alright by me. I think the reality is that you'd probably discover that he doesn't like much of anything.

September 11, 2010 9:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

John Kendrick, I can't seem to find:
"In fact, start with bullet #4 of the Mt Lebanon School District Master Design Team Meeting Minutes of September 21, 2009."
I am still shocked that the School Board turned away an $8 million donation.
Elaine Gillen

September 12, 2010 11:08 AM  
Anonymous John Kendrick said...

Elaine,

MtLSD MDT 9/21/2009 Meeting Note Bullet #4 states,
"There was discussion about the use of the stadium building the need for warehousing for the District. Ron and Tim indicated that the athletic people had their eye on the stadium building to convert to their athletic needs once the new gym building is built but Rick Marciniak realizes that he needs a warehouse and the design team indicated that while some of the stadium building is logical for stadium storage for nets and balls and other accoutrements for practices and games that the District does need warehouse space not planned in the new building. Dan Remely indicated that the athletic boosters believe that they can raise $8-Million to build an athletic field house of some kind and while that has not yet materialized the stadium building can be part of that effort."

The letter is signed by Thomas C. Celli stating, "The above is Celli-Flynn Brennan's understanding of the items discussed at the meeting."

It appears from the meeting minutes that Mr. Remely was under the understanding from a discussion with the Athletic Supporters that they would be willing to contribute $8,000,000.

The following people were in attendance:
Tim Steinhauer, Supt
Deb Allen, Asst. Supt
Dan Remely
Jan Klein
Rick Marciniak
Elaine Cappucci
Carol Walton
Andrew Haberberger
Ron Davis
Celli-Flynn Brennan: Thomas C Celli, AIA and Kathy J Stoughton, RA
Plan Con Consultant: Dick Jaynes
OWP/P: Leonard Kerry
P.J. Dick: John Taormina and Dana Damon

September 13, 2010 12:34 AM  

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