As Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt prepares to make a recommendation about the future of the Pittsburgh Schenley High School building, a majority of board members say they'd still like to try to save the historic structure.

Mr. Roosevelt, who in October proposed closing the Oakland building at the end of this school year and later requested additional time to study the matter, is due to present a report this month.

The board has a Business and Finance Committee meeting on Monday and may have an Education Committee meeting on Tuesday, but Mr. Roosevelt wasn't able when he'll make a presentation.

Mr. Roosevelt has said the district can't afford about $64 million needed to address asbestos and other maintenance issues at Schenley, which enrolls about 1,000 students in international studies/International Baccalaureate, robotics and general academic programs.

Schenley has won acclaim for its spring musicals, and the debate over the building's future has added to the drama of this year's production, ironically titled "All Shook Up." The final performance is at 8 tonight.

While their exact positions vary, most board members said they want to save the building or remain open to the idea of saving it.

"I am very fond of historic buildings ... I would like to see it get fixed properly and have it for the next 80 to 100 years," Jean Fink said.

Sherry Hazuda was prepared to close the building but had second thoughts because of how parents, students and other Schenley supporters have rallied to save it. Now, Ms. Hazuda said, she's a long way from voting to close the building.

Heather Arnet said she wants to continue seeking government grants to help finance a renovation incorporating green building principles.

Regardless of what the board decides to do with the building, Mr. Roosevelt wants to relocate students at the end of this school year because of concerns about asbestos.

He wants to renovate the Reizenstein building in Shadyside for Schenley students who will be in 10th, 11th and 12th grades next year. Under that plan, incoming ninth-graders would go to other schools.

It's unclear whether today's Schenley would be reconstituted even after renovations. A new mix of programs could be assigned to the building; some officials have mentioned the possibility of using the building for career and technical education.

Mark Brentley Sr. said concern about asbestos has created an unfortunate "house on fire" mentality. He proposed bringing in outside experts -- those with no ties to the district, he said -- to evaluate the building and determine whether it would be safe for students to remain there during renovations.

If they must move, he said, students should go not to a renovated Reizenstein but to Pittsburgh Peabody High School in East Liberty and Pittsburgh Westinghouse High School in Homewood, both of which have unused space. He said the district should take Schenley supporters up on their offer to raise funds for a renovation, which might be funded and performed in phases.

Randall Taylor expressed concern about the district's ability to absorb additional capital expenses but said he'd rather overhaul Schenley than undertake some other capital projects proposed for the district.

Mr. Taylor said he wants the district to re-evaluate its capital budget, close older buildings and make full use of newer structures.

The board's executive committee -- President Bill Isler, First Vice President Theresa Colaizzi and Second Vice President Thomas Sumpter -- has been consulting with Mr. Roosevelt about the Schenley building.

Neither Mr. Isler nor Mr. Sumpter could reached.

Ms. Colaizzi said a source of funds remained elusive. But she and Floyd "Skip" McCrea, who also expressed concern about the district's financial wherewithal, said they'd like to find a way to save the building.

"If I could find the money, I'd renovate it and make it the CTE in a heartbeat," Ms. Colaizzi said, meaning a center for career and technical education.

Uncertainty surrounding the building's future and new high schools Mr. Roosevelt has proposed creating have some parents, including Victoria Rand, of Homewood, unsure where to send their children next fall.

"We're actually looking outside of the district now," she said.