You May Pay Higher Taxes Under USC District Capital Plan

UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA — Upper St. Clair School District taxpayers might have to dig deeper into their wallets to pay for an ambitious $16 million capital improvement plan.

If school directors adopt a board committee’s recommendations and proceed with all the projects, taxes could rise by 0.15 mills in 2018-19 and 0.16 mills in 2019-20. The proposed tax hike might not be as large depending on how much revenue is generated by new commercial and residential construction. The district also plans to solicit private contributions to pay for some of the work.

District Superintendent Patrick O’Toole said the improvements would “bring all of our district-owned facilities completely up-to-date while eliminating the need to continue to rent office space.”

The projects include:

• A new building at the high school stadium that would include administrative office space, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms, an area for announcers, a ticket bA ooth, concession stand and multi-use space.

• A new eight-lane pool at the high school and possible construction of a separate diving well and special use pool.

• A new building a the Boyce Athletic Field Facilities that would house restrooms, a changing room, concession space and an announcing booth.

• Removing the pedestrian bridge at the high school and repaving the parking lot.

If school directors approve the plan at their March 28 meeting, construction could begin in the spring of 2018 and be completed in August 2019.

Rendering courtesy of Upper St. Clair School District.