The "No New McDowell" citizens group may get its wish, but this time, it's those who advocate the school building upgrade plans who are expressing concerns about the $93 million dollar project. The news comes on the heels of word that Millcreek School District Superintendent Michael Golde is on "administrative leave."
Golde was the driving force behind the plan to build a new McDowell High School, by adding on to Millcreek Intermediate and relocating the district's football stadium. School Board President Terry Scutella says the plan has always been under review, even before superintendent Golde went on "leave."
Scutella says he's concerned about the cost and scope of the project, he's concerned about security at such a large facility after the Sandy Hook tragedy, and about the possible drain of students and subsidies if a proposed bio-sciences charter school nearby gets approval.
"Golde's leave has no bearing at all," said Scutella. "I look at it this way, safety for our children, education for our children and to get those two things for a price, that's what we look at constantly."
Scutella says although there is an approved design, the Millcreek School District does not have the necessary zoning variance from the township needed to go forward, or a second bond issue to fund it. He doesn't expect the entire project to be scrapped, but says an alternative may be keeping the field where it is and remodeling the two schools but that would require more input from architects.
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