Sent 01/18/2013 @ 2:09 pm PITTSBURGH - As the Pittsburgh Public Schools consider the sale of the former Schenley High School building in Oakland, City Controller Michael Lamb sent an email to Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Linda Lane and members of the School Board, asking for a review of the decision to close the former high school. "I know the Board and staff at PPS have labored over the decision to close Schenley and the prospects for the future of the building," wrote Lamb "I am writing today to join in the suggestion that the Board should not only take its time with this decision, but also review information that has been made available since the decision to close Schenley to determine the cost effectiveness and impact on student achievement of that closure." Bids from potential buyers and developers of the former Schenley building were due into the district today. The Schenley High School building was closed in 2008 due to maintenance concerns and the estimated costs of repair. ### The text of the entire email is below. Dear Superintendent Lane, Board President Shealey and Members of the Board of the Pittsburgh Public Schools, Today you received bids from potential buyers and developers of the former Schenley High School. Reportedly, these proposals will include plans for residential, commercial and even educational reuse of this historic structure. I know the Board and staff at PPS have labored over the decision to close Schenley and the prospects for the future of the building. It has been reported that the Board hopes to move forward with a decision on the winning bid in an expedited manner. I am writing today to join in the suggestion that the Board should not only take its time with this decision, but also review information that has been made available since the decision to close Schenley to determine the cost effectiveness and impact on student achievement of that closure. Decisions about school facilities should be made with the best information available and it is clear that new information regarding the costs of maintaining Schenley as a school has become available. That information may verify that closing Schenley was the right decision for the Board. But that information may also suggest that keeping Schenley as a school is more cost efficient than current plans to rehabilitate and improve other PPS facilities. I think it is important for the Board, and for the public, to have a full airing of a cost/benefit analysis of improving and maintaining the Schenley building given the new information that has been revealed. This is an important and historic structure in a phenomenal location. We should do everything we can to make the best possible decision for its future. Sincerely, Michael E. Lamb Controller, City of Pittsburgh Contact: Douglas Anderson Deputy Controller Office: (412) 255-2055 Cell: (412) 480-6833 Email<mailto:douglas.anderson@pittsburghpa.gov> © 2013 City of Pittsburgh<http://pittsburghpa.gov> | Office of the Controller<http://pittsburghpa.gov/controller> | <http://www.facebook.com/> | <http://twitter.com/> If you would like to unsubscribe from Press Releases<http://pittsburghpa.gov/controller/press-releases>, please click here<http://pittsburghpa.gov/mypgh/process/nl_unsubscribe.htm?nlid=72>.