Wednesday, Oct. 8, is the last day for residents and taxpayers to submit written comments on Seneca Valley School District’s proposed $165 million intermediate high school renovation and performing arts center.

It’s been a hot-button topic for a while now, with many residents asking the school board to table the idea or reduce the scope and cost of the potential project.

Seneca Valley School Board President Eric DiTullio has said the proposed renovation is a necessary investment to prepare for the district’s continued growth. DiTullio said the project is supported by multiple demographic studies projecting a steady increase in student enrollment as thousands of new homes are built across the district.

When the board met this week, a handful of residents spoke out against the project — specifically about the large price tag that will accompany the work. The tax impact is estimated to be 11.43 mills, raising concerns about affordability.

“In my opinion, the performing arts center that is proposed is an unnecessary luxury that we can’t afford and would benefit just a very small number of students,” resident John Zolpa said.

The school board has the unenviable task of balancing the projected needs of the district if growth continues at the current rate and not driving out residents who may not be able to keep pace with frequent tax hikes.

It’s unclear when the board will move to vote on whether to proceed with the project or not.

The board has offered several opportunities for residents to make their voices heard regarding the project, including an extensive Act 34 public hearing last month and this week’s workshop meeting. A written comment period ends Wednesday.

Most of the Seneca Valley School Board seats that are up in next month’s election are unopposed, so residents won’t be able to influence this decision in a major way with their votes. The only contested race will be in Region 4, which is currently represented by Fred Peterson. Newcomers Republican Mark Ruston and Democrat Travis Savitt-Kraft will square off in November.

Ruston shared that he is concerned about whether or not the increased debt and impact on taxpayers will improve the district’s state ranking or enhance the quality of the children’s education. He said he will have difficult, but necessary questions to ask.

Savitt-Kraft said rather than scrapping the entire plan in light of high costs, he would champion taking another look at other plans the district considered before the one with the $165 million price tag and, if elected, he expects to support other plans that would cost less and keep taxes lower.

Spending in education can be a high-wire act, balancing the needs of the future against the economic factors of the present. It’s important to remember to not only to consider what students will need down the road, but to keep in mind that excessive taxes can drive families, and students, out of districts.

We hope Seneca Valley School Board makes the right decisions, for the future and for taxpayers.

— KL