For those who did not have the opportunity to attend last night's Seneca Valley School Board meeting, the 'public comments' portion of it was dominated by citizens expressing concern and opposition to the Performing Arts Center/IHS construction project. (See link below for a short video of WTAE's coverage).
We need to make sure that no decision is made on the project until such time as the information requested last month, via PA Right-to-Know laws, has been made available to the public. As of now, the school board has invoked its right to extend the timeframe, in which they will respond to the Right-to-Know requests, by 30 days (until ~November 3rd).
Among the information requested is student population growth studies justifying the IHS expansion along with invoices, proposals, requests for quotations and other information relevant to the project.
This 165 Million dollar construction project is premised on a level of student population growth that seems highly unlikely given the analysis we have done. We need to see the studies that the school board are said to have commissioned as part of diligence.
If the project is approved as is, another large tax increase will follow (11.5 mills) and it will cost, on average, $500 per year for each property owner.
As property tax payer, do you see this as a good use of YOUR money?
Finally, and most importantly, is this project in the best interest of our children. Will it help prepare the majority of students to compete in an uncertain and rapidly changing job market? Or will it only benefit the few?
If you have not had the opportunity to send your thoughts on the project to the SVSD board, time is running out. The deadline for submitting them is noon tomorrow (Oct 6th).
Comments can be sent to: schoolboard@svsd.net.
We need your help. It will take high level of community input to put the brakes on this bad idea.
Link to WTAE news story on last nights meeting: https://www.wtae.com/article/proposed-multi-million-dollar-construction-project-seneca-valley-school-district-criticism/68862022