Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Mt. Lebo Weighs Options for High School

Major repairs to Mount Lebanon High School should wait, says one school board member. James Fraasch introduced a plan yesterday that would call for $10 million to $15 million to pay for much-needed repairs like roofing and boiler system upgrades. The district would have to raise taxes by half a mill for each of the next three years to pay for Fraasch's plan. He says now's not the right time to take on more costly renovations or build a new high school, given the state of the economy. Fraasch says he thinks the full extent of the economic downturn has not been felt in Mount Lebanon yet. Fraasch also says that kind of project would require voters to approve a referendum allowing the district to take on additional debt. He doubts such a referendum would pass.

Mount Lebanon High School was originally built in the 1930s. A major addition was built in the 1970s.

A public forum on various renovation options will take place tomorrow night at 7 at the high school's auditorium. The school board expects to vote on a plan next month.

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