No PlanCon $ for Lebo UPDATED

The Pittsburgh Business Times reported that Bethel Park will receive $2.5 million in reimbursement through the PlanCon process. State hands out construction reimbursements to local school projects. No mention of Mt. Lebanon receiving any State funding for the high school renovation.

When the cost of the project came back too high, our school board elected to cut corners by considering 197 potential project cost saving reductions. The list represented approximately $14 million in potential savings. How much of this has come back to haunt us? Back on August 8, 2011, I noticed that the school board agreed to eliminate the storm water detention tanks (#17). The rain garden was nixed as well. This had a direct impact on the stormwater situation on Cedar Blvd.  After Cedar Blvd. flooded on August 3, 2014, and then again nine days later, I asked Gateway's Dan Deiseroth if the high school renovation was contributing to the flooding on Cedar. His answer was, "No." I asked Dan if he OK'ed the high school renovation plans. His answer was, "Yes." Gateway approved this cut! This is the same person who said that the fields don't flood; it is merely standing water.

Another item cut was #23 Eliminate need for pyrite remediation based on geotechnical report. We know how that ended up.

A third critical decision made by the school board was #40 Change glass rail at swimming pool to stainless steel airplane cable rail. As we know, that produced a change order. But look how it was handled.

Will we need another change order for the change order? Will we get the nuts and bolts in the next change order?

Lebo Citizens, please review the 197 potential project cost saving reductions and see if more questionable choices resulted in change orders.

Finally, readers have been wondering about the status of the Pursuant Ketchum fundraiser. We are still in the quiet phase, two years later. The September 14, 2014 Personnel Report shows that the full time director of the capital campaign will be on a leave of absence and an interim director has been hired at a daily rate of $300. The interim director's employment is late September 2014 through early January 2015. The present campaign director will be on leave starting October 8, 2014 through the beginning of January 2015.  Is the overlap in employment and buying additional fundraising software really necessary? We invested in a Feasibility Study. Or will we be chalking this up to more contentious decisions made by our school board?

Get the railing fixed!!!! It was first reported November 19, 2013!

Update September 30, 2014 9:44 AM Read the snarky reply from Dr. Steinhauer concerning the pool railing.

From: TSteinhauer@mtlsd.net
To: David Huston
Subject: RE: Missing hardware on new pool balcony railing
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 12:17:21 +0000

Dear Mr. Huston,

Thank you for contacting the Board with your concerns. Installation of the revised pool railing is not complete. The lack of 2 bolts presents no structural or physical safety issue and will be installed when the project is completed. If this makes you uncomfortable, please stay away from this railing section until it is complete.

We are aware of no safety issues with construction.  

Timothy J. Steinhauer, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Mt. Lebanon School District

412-344-2076

What did you do today to improve the life of a child?

Why are residents and taxpayers being treated so poorly in Mt. Lebanon? The superintendent, the school board directors, the commission, and the Public Information Office seem to think we work for them. Mt. Lebanon is a disgrace.

School Board Meeting update UPDATED

I have uploaded the podcasts from last night's Construction Update and the Combined School Board meeting. For the purpose of discussion here, I am only going to share some highlights. Please listen or watch the meetings for further information.

The 2013 Liened Properties list was approved for public viewing last night. Bill Cooper asked where the lists are published. President Cappucci said that in the past, the media would publish portions of the list, but that hasn't happened in quite a while. She failed to mention that I have been publishing the lists here. I filed a RTK for the list last Friday.

The Board knows that we are going to run out of the contingency fund. They have moved funds around to allow for flexibility.

The trophy case bid was approved last night for a total of $52,000 after much deliberation. The case is to be 74' long x 8' high x 16"-24" in depth. Larry Lebowitz said that we NEED a trophy case. Dan Remely pointed out many inconsistencies in the bid, yet the Board voted it through with Bill Moorhead and Dan Remely voting NO. It is sad that the bulk of the discussions at any board meeting are about construction. Aren't these people charged with the education of our children?

The artificial turf maintenance agreement was approved. Timmy said that the school district maintains Middle and Wildcat Fields by spreading infill and lining the fields. District costs are currently $129.37 in labor weekly for 30 weeks and infield mix and field dry runs about $1400 for a total for $5731. The School District uses those fields for Baseball. The labor cost for the turf would be $4331. Remely was the only one who voted NO.

The pool railing was brought up again by a resident. 24" is the current height of the railing. It meets all codes. Because of community request, it will be raised to 46" and will be completed before the beginning of the school year.

Update July 22, 2014 9:19 PM Mt. Lebanon School District to maintain turf fields

School Board meeting update

I have not had time to listen to the podcasts which I uploaded on www.lebocitizens.com, but I did get a quick recap of the meeting.

Construction update included a visit from Tom Celli. Scott Goldman questioned Tom Berkabile about the contingency fund and how it seems like we will run out of money.

During the school board meeting, Ms. Deluca requested that we spend $30,000 and hire a firm to reduce the large list of alumni (2,500?) to the top 100 contacts. Wasn't PK supposed to do that with the feasibility study? I would be willing to do that for $25,000.  In listening to the meeting, at 23:20 Timmy requests to hire Richard A Kettle (sp?), a "freelance prospect research professional," at $30/hour not to exceed $6,000.

A resident asked why the railing in the pool spectator area has not been fixed. I believe that was reported last October. He never got a response from the school board.

Comments on comments?

Last night's school board meeting was very interesting, as far as citizens' comments go. Topics included:

• Financial advisor 
• MTLSD does not take the preliminary budget seriously. We are the only school district that refers to it as a "fake budget."
• Trophy case
• Zamagias TIF
• Pool railing
• Pool locker room floor is slippery
• Meeting was not available for viewing last week.
• Agendas are not publicized before meetings
• Trouble with teacher at Howe School

Without naming names, I would like to hear more about the situation at Howe School. The mother was cut off at the knees by the president and solicitor when she was speaking. 

As far as the TIF goes, while one commissioner was removing her blog over the weekend, another commissioner posted this: Washington Park, corner of Bower Hill and Washington Road In December, Zamagias defaulted on their TIF loan. Mt. Lebanon has the opportunity to buy it back out of the Parking Fund, I believe. Please contact our commissioners, Senator Matt Smith's office, or Representative Dan Miller's office and share your opinion on this topic.

I would love to hear from Lebo Citizen readers about all these topics which were raised at last night's meeting. 

To listen to the meeting please visit Lebo Citizens podcast from MTLSD's January 20, 2014 meeting

Not railin over the railing

The school board continued to talk about the railing in the pool area at last night's school board meeting. Tom Berkebile, project manager of PJ Dick, said the height of the portion in question was "26 inches above the bleachers." He also said that the viewing area in that section has been temporarily roped off until they make changes in the railing height. Elaine Cappucci was quick to jump in and say that the railing meets code and passed inspection. Remely was more concerned about safety and was in favor of raising the height of the railing. Good for you, Dan!

I understand that yellow caution tape is being used to rope off the area. A letter was sent out by the Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club Board President on November 19, 2013, as posted on Just when I wanted to give up...Updated 3X. How long is this going to take?

An audio clip of the meeting concerning the pool railing is here. It is 3:36 minutes long.

Ribbon cutting ceremony set for new gym UPDATED

New Competition Gym to Ready to Open

On Friday, Dec. 6, the new high school competition gym will open with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:30 p.m. before the first game in the new facility. The Boys’ Basketball team is hosting the Tip Off Tournament and will start the tournament off against Johnstown. Game time is 4:00 p.m. Stop by to catch the game and stay to see the first swim meet of the season in the new pool at 6:00 p.m.

I was able to get a photo of the infamous railing in the new pool. It is approximately 3 ft. high on the lower part and about 4 ft. high in the taller section. 

Update December 6, 2013 12:35 PM Photo of Bethel Park High School gym

Photo Courtesy of Weber Murphy Fox