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High School Project News
Welcome to the High School Renovation website. Visit this site for the latest news, blog updates, documents, and video presentations about the planning for the renovation of the High School.
The Mt. Lebanon School District and community are in the midst of planning for the renovation of the High School. The oldest section of the building was constructed in 1928. Over the years, the building has undergone a series of additions and renovations, the last of which took place over thirty years ago. The school district and community are faced with the decision of how best to renovate a facility with serious infrastructure issues while creating an environment for teaching and learning that will meet the current and future educational needs of our students.
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Latest News
- Architect Update-August 9, 2010
At the August 9 Architect Update a representative from architects Celli-Flynn Brennan presented the deduct alternative list for the Board to consider if bids for the project come in higher than estimated. PJ Dick presented the project estimate for 50% construction documents.
Click Here for the Presentation
- High School Renovation Update-July 27, 2010
Planning for the Mt. Lebanon High School renovation project continues. District staff and the project architects continue to work through the Municipal Planning Board process while the District’s appeal of the Mt. Lebanon Zoning Hearing Board’s denial of two variances requested for parking and lot coverage is still pending in the Court of Common Pleas.
Watch the July 12, 2010 Architect Update for more information.
- School Board President Ed Kubit's Comments on High School Project
At the July 19, 2010 Regular School Board meeting, Board President Ed Kubit discussed the status of the High School project.
Read more...
- School Board Approves Using Single Prime for HS Project
The School Board voted at the July 19, 2010 School Board meeting to authorize the administration to proceed with the High School project using a single prime contractor. Pennsylvania law requires schools to solicit construction bids by separating out major prime contractors such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC. Many schools have found that hiring one contractor--a single prime--who can be held responsible for the completion of the entire project, provides a smoother construction process and eliminates issues that could delay the project or lead to litigation.The School Board approved applying for the waiver and was then approved by the State for this bidding option in June.
- School Board to Use Owner Controlled Insurance Program for HS Project
In other action taken at the July 19, 2010 School Board meeting, the Board authorized the administration to work with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association to use an Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) for the High School project.
OCIPs are an alternative insurance purchasing strategy that consolidates various insurance coverage for contractors engaged in a building or renovation project. Lines of coverage provided by OCIP are:
-Workers' compensation
-General liability
-Excess liability
-Builder's risk (as necessary)
The owner, which in this case is the school entity, procures these coverages on behalf of all parties working at the job site, rather than having each firm supply its own insurance for the project in question
- Architect Update-June 14, 2010
Tom Celli announced that the state had approved the District's request for a mandate waiver to bid the High School project with a single prime contractor and an update on the progress being made to attain LEED Silver Certification was presented.
- Architect Update-May 17, 2010
High School principal, Dr. Ron Davis and Mr. Michael Hogel, Supervisor of Science and Tech Ed, made presentations to the School Board. Dr. Davis presented an overview of the benefits of the renovated High School. Mr. Hogel presented an update on the design of the Science labs and classrooms. Both presentations are now available.
- School Board Approves PlanCon D
At the April 29, 2010 Audit Finance Meeting the School Board voted 8-1 to approve the PlanCon D document for state reimbursement of the High School project.
- District Appeals Mt. Lebanon Zoning Hearing Board Decision
On April 27, 2010, the Mt. Lebanon School District filed a Land Use Appeal in the Court of Common Please, of the decision by the Mt. Lebanon Zoning Hearing Board to deny two variances for the High School Project relating to parking and lot coverage.
- School District Reviewed High School Plans at Preliminary Meeting with Planning Board
On April 27, 2010, Dr. Tim Steinhauer, and architects Tom Celli, Celli-Flynn Brennan and Kerry Leonard, OWP/P Cannon Design, took the opportunity to informally present plans for the High School Renovation for the proposed uses and site plan to the Planning Board and public to get comment and feedback before submitting a formal application for consideration in May.
- Act 34 Transcript Released
The transcript of the Act 34 Hearing for the High School renovation is now available online.
- School Board President Responds to Municipal Zoning Board Decision
According to the Municipality, the new High School Project required two variances - one for parking spaces and one for lot coverage. At the Mt. Lebanon Zoning Hearing Board on March 11, 2010 the Zoning Board denied the two variances. Read below for School Board President Ed Kubit’s remarks from the March 15 School Board meeting regarding this issue.
March 15, 2010
One of the criteria for the ongoing High School design project was to avoid or minimize any zoning issues while still being able to meet the educational and programmatic goals of the School District. The plan that was approved by the Board accomplished these goals.
The Municipality determined that the approved design submitted by the School district contained two non-conforming structures or uses that did not meet the Zoning Code. These nonconformities were not an issue when the current building was built, but rather relate to subsequent changes in the Zoning Ordinance.
It is the School District's position that it is entitled to approval of these two nonconformities as a matter of right, because in each instance that element of the design actually makes the property more conforming than it is right now.
The Municipality, however, took the position that a variance is required. The first of these relates to lot coverage, which means the percentage of the total property that is covered by buildings, parking lots, roadways, and other non-permeable surfaces. The second was the number of parking spaces.
The Zoning Ordinance calls for no more than 50% lot coverage. Currently, our lot coverage is in excess of that figure, at 54.57%. Again, however, this is a permitted prior nonconformity, since the ordinance was not in effect when the building was built. In the new design, we improve lot coverage, by slightly reducing the lot coverage to 54.43%.
As to parking, we currently have 502 spaces on the site. We are advised by the Municipality that 528 spaces are necessary. Under the new design, the number of spaces has increased from 502 to 505. It is important to note that our parking study confirmed that, on a typical school day, there are approximately 40 parking spaces available on school property. In addition, students are entitled to park in the Commissioner's Lot and at Dixon Field, although those spaces are rarely used. We also confirmed that, on a typical day, there was no illegal parking on adjacent streets.
Although the new design improves both of these nonconformities, on March 11, 2010 the Mt. Lebanon Zoning Hearing Board denied both variances. Without zoning approvals, the High School Project cannot proceed.
We are disappointed in the decision of the Zoning Hearing Board. The new design in no way alters the character of the neighborhood, but rather provides for a dramatically improved, safer and more accessible high school, including improvements in both lot coverage and parking spaces. We feel that the Zoning Hearing Board's decision is incorrect.
We are currently reviewing all of our options to determine a course of action that is in the best interest of our students and the community. One possible option is an appeal to the Court of Common Pleas.
Ed Kubit
President
Mt. Lebanon Board of School Directors
- School Board Accepts PlanCon Part B Approval
The School Board voted 9-0 to accept the State’s approval of PlanCon Part B as reflected the State's letter dated January 11, 2010.
- School Board Approves Firm for Commissioning Services
At the February 15, 2010 Regular School Board meeting the Board approved Lovorn Engineering Associates, LLC of Pittsburgh, PA to provide commissioning services for the Mt. Lebanon High School renovation project. The objective of commissioning is to provide documented confirmation to USGBC LEED silver standards that the facility fulfills the functional and performance requirements of the district, the occupants and operators.
Lovorn Engineering will be involved throughout the project from the design development phase through the construction and the warranty phase. Systems that will be commissioned include: central building automation, HVAC, lighting controls, daylighting, electrical, emergency power, building envelope, vertical transportation, plumbing, fire/life safety, lab rooms, refrigeration, sound control, data and communication, and supply air and exhaust systems.
- Mt. Lebanon School District Holds Act 34 Hearing for High School Project
Act 34 of 1973 requires that a public hearing be held on all new construction and substantial additions for second, third and fourth class school districts. The Mt. Lebanon School District will hold an Act 34 public hearing regarding the High School renovation project on February 22, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Auditorium located at 155 Cochran Road. The purpose of this hearing is to review the proposed renovation and addition to the High School and to receive public comments. The District administration, architect, and financial advisor will present an overview of the construction and financing of the project to the public. All Mt. Lebanon residents are invited to attend and make comments.At the January 18, 2010, Regular School Board meeting, the Board approved the Act 34 document that sets a maximum total High School project cost of $113,274,765.
Act 34 Hearing Notice
Act 34 Agenda
Act 34 Project Description Booklet
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What is the PlanCon Process?
When a school district undertakes a major construction project and seeks reimbursement from the Commonwealth, a process known as PlanCon is initiated. PlanCon, an acronym for Planning and Construction Workbook, is a set of forms and procedures used to apply for Commonwealth reimbursement. The PlanCon forms are designed to: (1) document a local school district's planning process; (2) provide justification for a project to the public; (3) ascertain compliance with state laws and regulations; and (4) establish the level of state participation in the cost of the project.
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School Board President Responds to Community QuestionsSchool Board President Ed Kubit answers the most frequently asked questions he has received since the January 18 School Board vote to approve the Act 34 document. responds to important questions raised by the community about the High School project .
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School Board Approves the Act 34 DocumentAt the January 18, 2010, Regular School Board meeting, the School Board voted 6-3 to approve the Act 34 document that sets a maximum maximum building construction cost of $44,977,920, and a maximum total project cost of $113,274,765. Ed Kubit, Dan Remely, Elaine Cappucci, Josephine Posti, Sue Rose, and Mary Birks voted yes; Dale Ostergaard, Faith Stipanovich, and James Fraasch voted no. As part of the PlanCon process, the District is required to hold a public hearing regarding the project. The meeting will be held on February 22, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theatre. During this public hearing, known as an Act 34 Hearing, the District’s administration, architect, bond counsel and financial advisor will present an overview of the construction and financing of the project to the public. Public comment will be taken druing the meeting.
- School Board Approves High School Design Development Plan
In a vote of 8-1, the School Board approved the Design Development plans and authorized the Construction Drawings for the High School at the December 21, 2009 Regular Board meeting. The Board also directed the architects to continue the review of the following items recommended by the CAC: loading dock placement, Cochran Road entrance, continued attainment of LEED certification points, a review of internal congestion points, tennis court placement, and traffic circulation on Horsman.
Contact Us
Have a question regarding the High School project? Just click the Contact Us link for help. Your message will be sent to the School Board and Superintendent John Allison.
Design Criteria
A set of design criteria was estabished through public and Board input gathered at numerous community meetings and meetings with staff, as well as input from the 2007 DeJong Study that was used in the development of the schematic design of the High School.
1. Create academic center to improve student access to resources
2. Meet MTLSD educational goals for 21st century learning
3. Replace learning spaces for arts
4. Improve athletic spaces
5. New pool
6. Clear circulation
7. Create a center to strengthen the Mt. Lebanon high school community
8. Reuse buildings B, D, E, and F, “like-new” renovation
9. No temporary classrooms
10. Minimize disruption to students during construction phase 1
11. Minimize site work
12. Improve vehicular circulation
13. Improve proximity of entrances to parking
14. Drop-off plaza on Horsman Road
15. Maximizes State Reimbursement
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Upcoming Meetings
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Planning Board Meeting
Aug. 24, 2010
7:00 p.m. |
Architect Update
Sept. 13, 2010 7 p.m. High School Library |
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