Sewickley Herald

              ^eralb
SERVING THE ELEVEN BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS OF THE QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Vol. 72, No. 13
Second Class Postage Paid At Sawickley, Pa.
Wednesday, March 31, 1971
In Two Sections
Fifteen Cents
School Board Votes To Implement \ew Elementary Building Program
Kelly Reports To People On Harrisburg Activities
Rep. James Kelly indicated that many major corporations may be pulling out of Pennsylvania according to comments made at the second “Kelly Jleport’ on March 26 at the McCandless Township Municipal Building. - ^
Due to the passage of the recent 3.5 percent income tax and the higher business taxes, Mr. Kelly named several large corporations that are considering the removal of their corporate headquarters and plants from Allegheny County. This could spell disaster for the residents of the County according to Kelly. The major factors are the 12 percent tax bn corporate net income, the capital sotck tax increase and the abolishment of the manufacturers’ equipment exemption.
The 3.5 percent income tax package has very little reform, he added. The major reform is about $148 million on the sales tax exemptions and about $60 million relief )n personal property taxes paid by senior iitizens,
Kelly also discussed the road conditions n this area. He has held many meetings vith the State Highways Department and las requested the local office to prepare a ist of repair and repaving priorities for his area. As soon as this list is prepared, ilr. Kelly will attack the financing iroblem.
Hershey Glee Club Here Saturday
A real treat is in store for Sewickley 'hen the famed Milton Hershey Glee Club, nder the direction of Virgil L. Alexander, ppears here on tour. The unusual group of ntertainers will present a public concert [ Quaker Valley Senior High School, at :00 p.m., on Saturday, April 3,1971, under le auspices of Kiwanis Club of Sewickley,
'i; the benefit of D.T. Watson Home for nppled Children.
Just as they prefer the name “Glee lub”, rahter than “chorus” or “choir”, Jcause of the stereotyped image these rms suggest, there should be some ibstitute for the, word, “concert” to iscribe, the musical performance they ve, for a program of songs by these lented young ishowmen is unlike ^ching you have ever seen.
Prom the moment the curtain opens ere is action. The members of the Glee iib are all over the s'tage-marching, ncmg, clowning, and interpreting every PS distinctive staging. As one critic la, 'They have brought a new dimension choral music,”
This exciting new idea of presentation, fribmed with first-rate musicianship, s won them numerous honors including I’sonal invitations .from former esident Eisenhower, and Penn-Jvania’s former Governor Shaffer, ■quent appearances at national con-iitions, appearing as a demonstration Jup for music educators and at colleges,
, .pP^srances for the Pennsylvania f ^,^™cators Association and at the w York World's Fair.
Rep. Kelly also expressed the opinion that the State is overextended in new highways and urges that Gov. Shapp reexamine the road system for repairs and then plan future systems if necessary.
Coming legislation to receive Kelly examination or support include proposals on home rule charters, community mergers, no fault automobile accident insurance, extending adult rights to 18 year olds, school building construction requirement changes and the combining of two state agencies for a $12 million savings.
During the question session, Rep. Kelly was asked to comment on the Milk Commission. He answered that he is cosponsoring a bill to abolish this commission but is not sure of the success this bill will have since Gov. Shapp wants to add a consumer protection person to the commission.
About 100 community and party leaders attended the second of the Kelly Reports, a campaign fiJfillment for Rep. Kelly.
Only a half dozen people were on hand to witness the historic proceedings on Thursday,Mar. 25when the Quaker Valley School Board finally voted to move forward with a Building Program which provides for the construction of two new elementary school buildings. All members were present except Director David Starr. The vote was unanimous for the plan which calls for schools in Osborne and Edgeworth. Thus ended several years of controversy over building a plant at the Bell Acres site, at least, for the present time.
Thomas B. Jerman, President of the School Board, called the meeting to order and stated that the purpose of the Special Meeting was to consider the plans offered at the Public Forum on March 21 and on previous occasions. The Board had determined that the end of March should be deadline for a decision on the alternatives considered and he opened the meeting at that time for a motion.
Director Alexander Taylor of Edgeworth moved for proceeding to implement the Plan F compilation as prepared by the architectural firm of Campbell, Green and Cunzolo of Sewickley which calls for the erection of two elementary schools each to house 632 children from kindergarten through sixth grade on two sites, Osborne and Edgeworth. The plans are to be submitted
Officially Ifs Spring
No matter what the calendar says, the first day of Spring isn’t until you see people working OH their lawns as “Corky” Pirkheim, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pirkheim of Broad Street, Leetsdale is doing here.
Then, there are other signs illustrated by “Rick” Palmer, son of Mr, and Mrs. Joseph S. Palmer, Broad Street, Leetsdale; the golfers. The gardeners and the golfers might be compared to the ants and the grasshoppers but it is to be remembered that one man’s meat is another man's poison.
At any rate, Spring is a glorious season. The owls are calling for mates, the Woodpecker is tapping on the trees, the Maple buds are fairly bursting and, along the banks of the Edgeworth shelf in the vicinity of the old Shields Spring, one can see colt's foot, just about the earliest of spring wildflowers. This yellow flower is very interesting since it is not native to the region and its progression southward in the United States is of matter of study by the botanists.
Enough of snow and winter, get out the rakes and golf clubs and welcome spring.
to the proper authorities of the State and County for approval. Mr. Zahorchak seconded the motion.
Before the vote on the motion. Director Iwler called for discussion on the motion and asked for a recommendation from the Administration as to whether Plan F. is the best of all plans between A and G. Dr. Bedison said that in his opinion Plan F is the best. This conclusion is based upon the fact that the population increase projected several years ago had not materialized and that County school officials who visited here in December and January advised that Plan A is no longer feasible. He mentioned that Plan F does call for a new middle school, grades 6, 7, and 8, in its second phase if it should be needed.
After Dr. Bedison stated his opinion, Mr. Jerman asked that the Board be polled and all the members voted in the affirmative for Plan F which is as follows:
Plan
U
High School
III
9,10,11,12
New
Sr. High School 10,11.12 11,12 6,7,8 Existing
Jr. High School 7,8,9	9,10	K-5
Existing
Middle
School
Elementary
School
Elementary
School
‘‘'Kindergarten
6,7,8 6,7,8 New
'■K,-6	K-5	K-5
New
K-6
New
K-5 k-5
Transportaion-Present Fleet adequate Construction area-106,378 sq. ft.
Total Est. Cost - $4,270,000 Mills - 5.7-4.5
Three other motions dealing with the major motion were passed unanimously. They had to do with possible acquisition of additional property to implement Plan F and the filing of plans with the proper authorities including the Dept, of En-_ vironmental Resources. The architectural' firm of Campbell, Green arid Cunzolo .is . to proceed immediately with schematic plans for use of the two sites.
After the meeting adjourned, one of the directors speculated that if all goes well, the schools Would open on September, 1974.
A greater attendance has been an--ticipated than appeared at the Sepcial Meeting Since sixty chairs had placed in the Jr. High School Library with alternative plans to move to the cafeteria if there was an overflow.
School Candidate Urges Support Of ^ Construction Bills
Republican school board candidate, Harry Feely, called on residents of the Quaker Valley School District to support Pennsylvania legislative House Bills 405 through 409.
Feely said these bills would reduce school construction costs, and could offer Quaker Valley residents a savings in excess of several hundred thousand dollars.
Feely became aware of this legislation during conversation with Representative James Kelly. He requested copies of the pending bills tor further study and review and will present his findings to the community in the near future.
t !