Survey Shows Peters Public Opposes High School Renovation Project

The majority of people responding to a survey on expansion and renovation to say they oppose the plan and would vote against a referendum that would call for a nine-mill tax increase to fund the project.

The buildings and grounds committee of the Peters Township Board of Education heard results of a survey that was published in issues of the “Perspectives” newsletter, which also offered respondents to vote online.

presented the survey result to committee members Monday night showing that 62.5 percent of voters would not support expansion and renovation, while 37.4 percent said they would be in favor of the project.  72.6 percent of voters said they would vote against a referendum to pay for the $53 million renovation project, while 27.3 percent said they would vote in favor of the renovation.

The district received a total of 1,483 responses, 1,310 of which were cast online, and 173 were sent back into district offices by mail. “Perspectives” went to every residence in Peters Township.

Zetty said the district was able to limit the online results to only Peters Township respondents.

The first question posed to residents was, “Would you support expansion and renovations to the high school to provide much needed space, improved safety for students and staff and a 21st century learning environment?” 

556 voted in the affirmative, while 927 voted “no.”

The second question was, “Would you approve a referendum on a November ballot that would increase Peters Township School District taxes by approximately nine-mills that will be necessary for the $53 million high school project?” 

405 responded with a “yes,” while 1,078 voted “no.”

The school board has been considering an expansion and renovation of the high school for many months, and has received architectural studies and recommendations for improvements. Students and teachers have also suggested renovations. 

“What you do with this information is now up to you, but the high school staff and administration is ready to communicate to the public what this is about and why it’s needed,” Zetty said. “Also what exactly does nine mills mean in taxes? In Peters Township, one mill generates about $323,000 because the taxes here are significantly different than they are in Allegheny County.”

Zetty said the high school staff is prepared to host numerous informational meetings about the need to renovate and expand the building, and would hope to begin the sessions to educate the public at large. Information will also be present about enrollment and projections for the future.

Zetty added that the high school has difficulty now in trying to fit large groups inside the building. She said that the main offices, located in the center of the building, do not create a safe situation for students.

“The project is considering student safety, improving space for education and to try and provide 21st-century teaching facilities,” she said.

Buildings and grounds chairperson Lori Cuervo said the public needs a better understanding of the renovation project and what it means to the future.

“Whether we do this construction or not, we still have a ‘bubble’ moving through the high school in the next four years,” she said. “We may not have enough room in the building to support all the students. If we move forward with just the survey results, we would not do anything at the high school, and I think particularly the parents in the elementary schools who are going to be most impacted by this project need to know what’s coming for their students."

She said if the survey indicates what the taxpayers want, there are ramifications to consider.

Cuervo said she agreed that the district should provide more information to the public about the project and then consider having the issue placed on the primary election ballots on April 24. The board will have to decide to take that step by Jan. 24, in order to meet the 90-day requirement for a referendum.

The administration is expected to begin moving ahead with plans to hold a series of educational meetings for the general public to show the need for the high school renovation. 

District communications coordinator Shelly Belcher said dates for those meetings will be announced in the near future.