The Mt. Lebanon school board last night voted 5-3 to create a community advisory committee to review the current design plan and provide recommendations to the board for the $112 million high school renovation project.

Board members Elaine Cappucci, Susan Rose, and Josephine Posti dissented. Faith Ann Stipanovich was absent.

The committee will work collaboratively with the design teams, architects Celli-Flynn Brennan and OWP/P, and construction manager P.J. Dick.

The committee's maximum number of members will be 11. Board President Alan Silhol said 27 letters of interest were submitted by residents before the Oct. 23 deadline. Board members have until Thursday to vote for 15 candidates. The top vote getters will appear for appointment at the board's Nov. 9 discussion meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Timothy Steinhauer will set the agenda and meeting dates, and attend all meetings.

The committee will likely meet six to eight times over the next six- to eight-week period.

High school renovation plans calls for new and renovated buildings, with the former including a new academic wing and an athletic field house with a competition gym, six-lane pool, and auxiliary gym. There will also be new roofs, windows and entrances.

Renovation of the auditorium and Fine Arts Theatre will result in improved sound, lighting, and new seating.

Groundbreaking for the work may occur next winter. Construction will occur in phases over three to four years, said Dr. Steinhauer.

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