A trip down Memory Lane

The following letter is from resident and concerned citizen, Charlotte Stephenson.

A trip down Memory Lane:

In today’s PG-South section there is a nice article about the national recognition the Baldwin High School Renovation received for the $62.2 Million project. The architects were HHSDR Architects/Engineers of Sharon. A friend of mine living there told me some time ago that her taxes actually decreased when the project was completed.

In 2010 I stepped up to the microphone and, in addition to other comments, shared this information with the Mt. Lebanon Board of School Directors:

“Graduates of Baldwin High School, my husband and I moved here with the idea “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”. While attending Baldwin High School, the Pre LEBO-Baldwin football game frenzy escalated as the words “BURN LEBO” were displayed on the school and visible from Rt. 51. I only remember one game when Baldwin won due to a Hail Mary pass into the end zone.

Who is winning now? The Baldwin High School renovation with a project scope of 80% of the old school being fully renovated finished in 2009 and approximately $1.5M under its $63,000,000 budget. No trailers were used as temporary classrooms and a new gym with seating for 2,000 was built. In talking with an employee of the district, I understand that some things got cut along the way – the indoor track concept was eliminated and the new pool went from 8 lanes to 6. The project’s emphasis remained on support for academics – with technology being a top priority, the creation of large and small college-like lecture halls, new classrooms and science labs. To oversee the construction a construction committee was formed and it included 6 residents, 2 from each borough. Baldwin-Whitehall is proud of their accomplishment and invites anyone who is interested to make an appointment and tour the high school facility.”

Perhaps those reading this will feel the urge to argue that there is no comparison between the two projects while providing all the justifications for how disparate the costs will ultimately be. Nonetheless, the Baldwin-Whitehall School District Board of School Directors and Administration deserve recognition for their cost-effective and functional facility. As my sister Christine, a varsity cheerleader would shout – “B-A-L-D-Win, Win, Win!”

-Charlotte Stephenson BHS’76