Bad News/Good News UPDATED 10/11/17

The PA Department of Education released the Keystone Exams scores. The bad news is that Mt. Lebanon High School can't compete with Upper St. Clair High School.

How local high schools fared on this year's Keystone Exams

By Ethan Lott / The Business Times ranked schools based on scores just released by the state Department of Education. 

Top 5 High Schools

The good new is that Mt. Lebanon School District is considering a $1,347,000 investment for a competitive size artificial turf field on the Rock Pile. Always being fiscally responsible, by throwing in the replacement of the high school stadium artificial turf, the school district can save 10% for a total of $1.7 million. Where will the money come from? Well, Jan Klein claims this month, that there is about $5 million available in the capital projects funds. Next month may be a different story.

At last night's school board meeting, the Draft Rock Pile Presentation was made with all the different options explained. Miraculously, the presentation was posted on the school district website last night. Of course, we're still waiting for Mary and Timmy to release the timeline promised last month. But when it comes to sports in this town, people move in warp speed. A suggestion was made for money to come from THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, since it could benefit the community. People would WANT to give, for sure. Cheerleader Larry Lebowitz said that this is a "golden opportunity" and he is excited! By adding lights, we could certainly get even more use.

Still waiting for the day when education is discussed at a school board meeting, instead of construction. Tonight, the municipality held a public hearing on the CIP which includes $5.5 million for Muni Field Improvements in 2022.

So even though we can't compete scholastically with Upper St. Clair, we can have some awesome fields! The band is excited. The soccer coaches are excited. The track coaches are excited. Larry is excited. Several 2016-2017 Key Communicators are excited. Go Lebo!

Update October 11, 2017 7:39 AM Here is how Mt. Lebanon Magazine spins it.

A first grade level science experiment

A first grade level science experiment was conducted at the Mt Lebanon High School Astroturf on Saturday, June 7 in the afternoon.

An inexpensive combined thermometer/hydrometer device was placed on the turf and given approximately 5 minutes to register the surface temperature of the turf. 

Two iPhones opened to two different weather apps (the iPhone Weather App and Accuweather) were placed beside the device. 

Within a few minutes, the hydrometer failed and registered as “LL”. 

After 5 minutes, a picture was taken of the thermometer reading next to the two iPhone weather apps.

The first photo illustrates the time/date/weather readings on either side of the device at 3:59 pm. The air temperature was 78, with a “real feel” from Accuweather as 89. The turf thermometer registered as 107.2 and no “real feel” was calculable. 

As the thermometer appeared to be rising from the 3:59 pm reading, the first grade level scientists decided to do some observational data collection and give the thermometer a few more minutes to register the turf surface temperature. 

The second photo illustrates the time/date/weather readings on either side of the gauge at 4:06 pm. The air temperature was 79, with a “real feel” from Accuweather as 85. The turf thermometer registered as 113.7 and again, no “real feel” was calculable. 

Some observations: sweaty children were playing barefoot on the turf, children were seated and crowding into the shade of stacked graduation chairs for relief from the heat, crumb rubber was stuck to children’s feet, empty plastic water and sports drinks bottles were scattered throughout the field, an odor was present on the track, and no warnings regarding health or safety were included on the signage provided by Astroturf. 

A third temperature reading was not provided because the first grade level scientists were beginning to feel overheated by their study experience. 

Back home in air conditioning, a Google Scholar search including the words “heat synthetic turf McNitt” reveals 157 results. 

Maybe Dr. McNitt can enlighten Mt Lebanon about heat issues with respect to synthetic turf during the evening Middle/Wildcat field enhancements symposium on Thursday, June 12. 

Until then, these scientists are cooling their feet in the grass. Organic, of course.

My 1st RTK in 2010 was about the toxic turf at the High School

Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.

I was reminded of my very first Right To Know. As it turns out, it was about the lead content in the artificial turf at the high school. Imagine that. Four years later, I am still writing about toxic turf. The analytical report is disturbing. Our children play on this. Relay for Life uses it every year. OMG.

The High School turf was supplied by General Sports Venue. I tried to reach them by phone, but I think they are no longer in business. That is unfortunate, since our Athletic Director John Grogan wrote such a glowing review to the company. In fact, look at what is on page 4 of the company brochure:

AstroTurf’s GameDay Grass all-rubber infill systems are composed of highly durable cryogenic rubber, extracted from post consumer recycled tires by certified recyclers all across the US. These materials have been rigorously tested by the international scientific communities for both environmental and human health hazards and have been found to pose no risks. In fact, the EPA approves the use of post-consumer tires for the purpose of athletic fields. In a typical field, AstroTurf will use up to 12,000 recycled passenger tires.

Here is what the EPA is saying now.   http://www.epa.gov/nerl/features/tire_crumbs.html  It shouldn't even be in our playgrounds!!!

The AstroTurf at the high school will need repeated antimicrobial treatments due to the standing water caused by poor e-layer drainage.  http://www.astroturfusa.com/

Turfaide is an antimicrobial treatment designed to prevent stringy fungus from clogging the drains. It was not designed to kill MRSA. Turfaide needs to be applied every 90 days. According to  http://www.antimicrobial.com/products/turfaide/, it takes 240 gallons of the stuff to cover our 72,000 sq. ft. It costs $169.99 for 5 gallons or http://www.centaurmaintenancesupplies.com/newproducts.html $157.99 for 5 gallons
http://www.shopwechem.com/products/turfaide-spc-d__turfaide-spc-d-spc-.aspx
We'll say, at $160 for 5 gallons, it's $32 a gallon. $32 times 240 gallons is $7,680 every 3 months or $30,720 a year.

The FAQ says a specialist needs to apply the product:
http://www.fieldprotect.com/faq.html

Q.Can I apply it myself?
A.No. The long-lasting treatments of TurfAide 2 and TurfAide 4 must be applied by Sport Coatings certified applicators due to EPA regulations. However, the entry level maintenance program of TurfD involves training of a local field manager on the proper application technique so that subsequent applications may be self-applied.

Check out this article about Turfaide and MRSA:

William C.H. White, who also happens to be the CEO of AEGIS Environments, which produces the microbe material in TurfAide: "The idea that we are controlling disease organisms, we don't make any claims about that. And we won't. The microbe problems on synthetic fields have to do with biofilms causing sliming and plugging of drainage. They have to do with staining. What we're concerned about are the odors that can be generated both by aerobic and anaerobic organisms within the matrix. These are things that can be avoided to increase the life and functionality of the field."
But is applying anti-microbial products on a field a viable solution?
Hageman isn't so sure. "When it comes to turf, we do not know if that will prevent infection," he said. "There's just no data to support that it prevents infection."

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From: David Reese
Date: July 19, 2010 10:11:10 AM EDT
To: "'John Ewing'","'Dan Goff'"
Subject: RE: California sues Astroturf
I’m breaking my self-imposed rule of ignoring you. Probably Ed Kubit, along with a host of other people, has the same self-imposed rule.
As usual, you go off half-cocked over a subject you know virtually nothing about. Our consultant, Milo George (one of the foremost natural and artificial turf experts in the country), specified the turf properties and appropriate e-layer that best fit the requirements of our athletic programs (in general, a monofilament fiber, all rubber infill, 48 oz. face weight, etc.). Manufacturers bid on the spec, not “Tiger Turf”, A-Turf, Field Turf Duraspine or any other number of “brands”. Our coaches and players seem to be absolutely delighted with the product and are anxious to begin play on it. Maybe you should talk to them, eh?
Oh, and just an FYI: we had the old decrepit turf independently tested for lead content last summer when we were trying to get people to respond to the need for replacement. We had a company from Cranberry test it with a Thermo Scientific Niton XRF Analyzer (the same device companies use to test for lead and other elements in toys, consumer goods, etc), and all of the readings came in between 21 and 40ppm. There is no reason to believe that the new turf would show different results.
Whether or not you choose to believe it, we got a first class product at an incredibly fair price.
Maybe you should devote your valuable time and resources to continued stonewalling of the high school renovation. It seems like everyone but you are happy with the new turf.
DGR

So what IS a safe level for lead? The Consumer Product Safety Commission has ordered an enforcement review of marketing of artificial turf products for children because the agency has found lead levels in artificial sports fields above statutory limits in children’s products. Significantly, there is no safe lead exposure level for children.

The following shows the bidding irregularities on the toxic turf back in 2010.

From Josephine Posti's blog http://jposti.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html:
We will take action on awarding the turf replacement project to the lowest responsible bidder (General Sports Venue) for $406,693. This project was originally estimated to be $750,000. Due to a technical error in the bidding process, we had to re-bid the project, thus action at a public committee meeting.

School Board Approves Turf ReplacementMarch 25, 2010 At the March 25, 2010 Audit/Finance Committee meeting the School Board awarded the High School field complex synthetic turf replacement to General Sports Venue in the amount of $406,693. Work on the turf will begin on June 14 and is scheduled for completion by July 20th, weather permitting.

There should be a movement for turf abatement at the high school. It should be removed from our playgrounds. It is toxic, yet our school board, commission, and staff endorse artificial turf and want even more!

Update May 6, 2014 6:39 PM A reader read this post about standing water on the high school stadium turf. Both photos are from the same area, just taken at different angles at the stadium.

Bridge sinking three inches?

Any truth to the rumor that the new bridge at the high school has sunk three inches? Or that the gym has sunk? I just heard that this morning. Truth be told, I have not listened or watched any construction updates, so please forgive me if this is old news or inaccurate information.

While I am on the subject of our high school crown jewel, a Lebo Citizens reader has sent me photos of our artificial turf that was installed at the high school in 2010. For those of you who have not been up there, it looks like a rat's nest.

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

The blades of "grass" are flat and matted. Rubber tire infill is all over the track. It is worn along edges of the field where use is limited. Seams are coming apart. The school district is to maintain the new toxic turf at Middle and Wildcat Fields, or that is what the Mt. Lebanon High School Athletic Director has committed to. Where is School Board Director Ed Kubit? He is the school district liaison on the Sports Advisory Board. He has been missing in action at the SAB meetings. Why hasn't he presented any information to his peers on the school board about this alleged field maintenance agreement? We just know about general discussions between the two Roycroft royals.

"For The Board" Cappucci wrote to a constituent about these photos. Here is her response.

From: Elaine Cappucci [mailto:ECappucci@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Friday, May 2, 2014 1:16 PM
Subject: RE: high school turf
The high school turf is properly groomed/maintained regularly (at least once per month). The loft in the turf will vary depending on when it was groomed and how much activity has occurred on the turf.
Elaine Cappucci

Obviously I am not a sports jock, but how much activity occurs on the edges of the field? The worn and matted appearance is consistently bad everywhere on the field.

Even the curbs near the high school stadium are a disaster. Can't Mt. Lebanon maintain anything properly?

For a $1 million+, let's remove this:

Installed ????

So that we can have this:

Installed July 2010

Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.