Saturday, July 07, 2012

Fwd: Saving Schenley-New developments-Schenley does not contain Asbestos Containing Material!



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kathy F
Date: Saturday, July 7, 2012
Subject: Saving Schenley-New developments-Schenley does not contain Asbestos Containing Material!
To: annette werner <Asw122@aol.com>, Kathy F <finekj1@gmail.com>


Dear Public School Advocates,
We have reached another turning point on the road to save Schenley High School. Recently, Essential Public Radio (EPR) reported that the percentage of asbestos in the Schenley plaster is only .25 - .5%.  Under EPA guidelines, plaster is "Asbestos Containing Material" ("ACM") subject to regulation only if it contains 1% or more asbestos.  
What are the practical inplications of these developments?  For one, if the EPR report is correct, the vote to close Schenley was based on inaccurate information about the level of asbestos, the risks, and the costs of maintenance.  That vote should be revisited.
 
Another implication is that PPS has paid for, and most likely continues to pay for, unnecessary abatement contractors.  Those practices need to be reviewed.
 
And finally, the Schenley athletic facilities are free of asbestos.  Due to 6-12 school configurations, students in the East End face a serious shortage of practice space that could be greatly eased by retaining the Schenley building and at this time making at least the athletic facilities available for students.  As a matter of equity, for how long can we leave high school students at Milliones with facilities that are obviously inferior to those at Allderdice, Brashear and Carrick?  New pool and gym complexes cost $20M or more. 
 
What have we gained? There is a real question as to whether even a majority of the students who started at Sci Tech in grade 9 will graduate from Sci Tech next year.  Many, many students have left the school.  How many IB diplomas were earned at Obama this year?  Typical at Schenley before the program was moved was 20+ a year. Is achievement for Hill feeder students at Milliones any better than it was for Hill feeder students at Schenley? Will efforts to get a handle on problems at Milliones be successful?  Would students behave better if they were happier?  Could initiatives to reduce achievement disparities have been carried out under the Schenley umbrella?
 
What have we lost?  The only PPS high school with 100% enrollment. Hill feeder students have lost a diverse school environment and many of the sports and activities they enjoyed at Schenley.  An architecturally beautiful building with magnificent green building potential that is flooded with natural light (school environment DOES matter).  A location in Oakland that is surrounded by educational opportunities. 
We have another chance to make our voices heard and to save a part of our city's great history for our children and grandchildren.  But we need everyone to rally one more time!
PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND ONE OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING THREE MEETINGS (most importantly, the PPS public hearing):
1. PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION PUBLIC HEARING
MONDAY, 7/22 6PM
PITTSBURGH BOARD OF EDUCATION 
BUILDING 341 S. BELLEFIELD STREET
CALL BY 12PM ON MONDAY, 7/22 TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK (412-622-3838)
2. COMMUNITY PLANNING MEETINGS HELD BY COUNCILMAN BILL PEDUTO-
WEDNESDAY, 7/11 7PM
UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY BUILDING OF PITTSBURGH
4638 CENTER AVENUE
WEDNESDAY, 7/25 7PM
UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY BUILDING OF PITTSBURGH
4638 CENTER AVENUE
IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE PEDUTO SPONSORED MEETINGS, PLEASE SUBMIT COMMENTS AT THE SITE BELOW:
Oakland Planning and Development website:
http://www.opdc.org/programs-services/plan-partner/community-vision-for-the-adaptive-reuse-of-schenley-high-school/


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Ta.
 
 
Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com    
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach with Neighborhood Learning Alliance


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