This week's agenda review revealed that CAPA renovation costs are now projected at 20% more than the $5 million figure given at the time of the merger, with further cost increases expected.
The explanation given is that based on input from teachers and parents, the scope of the project has increased. However, one board member pointed out that teachers and parents could have been consulted about the scope of the project before the $5 million figure was put out. And in fact the Hileman report, "The Realities of the Proposed CAPA-Rogers Merger" (see Links tab) anticipated such extra costs as rooftop recreation space and a middle grade library.
Prediction: The $40 - $60 million cost projected for the high school reform plan (see Links tab "Beyond Schenley") will balloon by at least 30% to $52 - $78 million, with increases caused by underestimating the scope of work attributed instead to parent/teacher requests.
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I was interested to see that the projected costs for the CAPA renovation are to be at least 20% more than was originally stated. It will also be interesting to see that this scenario will most certainly reoccur as the "real" costs for other buildings emerge. That is point that Schenley supporters were trying to convince the board members, that the Schenley numbers were examined so closely, that surprises were less likely to occur. All of the other buildings will have these larger unexamined costs attached to them- for the SciTech school, and the IB school, as examples. Unfortunately, the committee that is looking for a permanent home for the IB program is not allowed to consider the Schenley building. They are re-examining the Reizenstein building, though, even after it was proven that it would cost $50 million to make a building not approaching as long lasting and with the architectural integrity (including the community friendly, educational advantages, and energy saving qualities). The documents that were provided to the district show that, in the long run, the Oakland building would be the most cost effective.
Perhaps now would be the time to revisit this question. Perhaps the vote would be different, this time around.
How would you feel about forwarding to board members your suggestion about reconsidering the Schenley building?
Note that the Reizenstein site also carries with it $10 million plus of debt that the district would not have to carry if Reizenstein were sold. The Reizenstein option also involves the loss of substantial school tax revenues that would be received if the property were sold to developers, all for an inferior building with a short useful life. The only real advantage of the Reizenstein option is that it pushes the real costs off into the future for some other superintendent to deal with.
Can somebody calculate the renovation costs per student in PPS? I think we need to stop spending before it is too late.
Interesting thought! If renovation costs stick to the original $40 - $60 million estimate but at the high end ($60 million) and there are about 28,000students, renovation costs are now up to $2,142 per student and rising. This would be a good topic for a letter to the Post Gazette (go to http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/03001/322207-209.stm#letters for instructions on how to submit by email).
Great posting if it is really happen. I hope that there would be a very good news happen. Thank you for posting.
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