More on the Fraasch Report: It's Time to Do Something

[This is an op-ed piece. It represents my views, and not necessarily those of Joe or Blog-Lebo. —Tom Moertel]

To start, I want to thank James Fraasch for explaining to the public what's so troubling about the current renovation plan. His report represents a ton of work, and it's work that he did on our behalf. Thank you, Mr. Fraasch.

Now, on to the report.

First, read it. It's only a few pages, and you won't find a shorter, more informative summary of the renovation project's implications. If you can't find the time, here's a summary of Mr. Fraasch's findings:

• Our school district is already on shaky financial ground and, post renovation, Mt. Lebanon would become the 15th most-indebted school district in Pennsylvania and earn the #2 spot for debt per student.
  
• In the next few years, your school real-estate taxes are going to increase by nearly 50 percent to meet the school district's obligations.
  
• To pay for the renovation, the cash-strapped district will probably have to make cuts elsewhere – reducing programs, reducing staff, closing schools possibly.
  
• Because of the cuts, the project will have a "negative impact on the overall educational outcome for our students." In short, we're getting a better building, but trading a better education to get it.
  
• It's possible to renovate our high school for less. Neighboring districts Baldwin, Upper St. Clair, and Bethel Park have each undertaken comparable projects for tens of millions less than our planned renovation.
  
• The renovation's price tag appears to have been managed to remain just beneath the threshold that would trigger a voter referendum, denying residents their opportunity to accept or reject the plan at the voting booths.

Mr. Fraasch doesn't just assert these claims. He supports them with evidence: six pages of facts, figures, graphs, and tables. If you think the current renovation plan is going to be good for our community, you'll have a much harder time reaching that sanguine conclusion after considering Mr. Fraasch's evidence. And if you're a vocal supporter of the current plan, please consider the evidence.

To end his report, Mr. Fraasch pleads with readers, asking them to take this last, best opportunity to throw the brakes on what he likens to a runaway train. He asks readers to do something now: call, email, or write a letter to the school board. (Call or email if you want your voice heard before Monday's Act-34 vote.)

By releasing his report, Mr. Fraasch has offered our community a clear argument, supported by evidence, that we cannot afford a renovation project this expensive. I have argued that even if we could afford it, it would be a poor way to spend our educational dollars. A less-expensive renovation solves both of these problems.

Therefore, if you care about the financial health of our community or of our school district, or if you care about the standard of education we can offer to future students, you must do something now: ask for a less-expensive renovation. If you don't contact the school board now and tell them you want a less-expensive renovation, you are going to get the current plan – and its consequences.