In a world of tumbling finances, it seems best to tread carefully in any discussion linking the words "million," "dollar" and "spending."

So it was at a special meeting of the Bethel Park school board Monday, where the featured item on the agenda was setting limits on construction costs for the proposed new high school.

By state law -- passed in 1973 and sometimes referred to as the "Taj Mahal Act"-- Act 34 requires school districts to hold public hearings and solicit public comment on new construction projects.

There were a number of large dollar amounts tossed around at the recent meeting. The first agreed upon was the maximum building construction cost. By law, this amount -- $81,440,423 --- cannot be exceeded by more than 8 percent without further public hearings.

This figure refers to construction costs only. The second, big-picture figure includes "soft" costs, such as architects' fees, fixtures, heating and cooling, roads.

Dick Fox, of architects Weber Murphy Fox, presented the board with a wish list of amenities and overall costs.

A second list showed the possible reduction items, such as eliminating a proposed loop road and reducing the contingency fund.

Kevin Hayes, president of the Hayes Design Group, put the decision this way: "What class of car do you want to drive?"

Mr. Hayes then compared the possible overall construction costs, which were estimated to range between roughly $97.7 million and $104.5 million.

"This 104 million, is that a Jag? Is that 97 million a Pinto? Because I don't want a Pinto," board member Susan Gout said.

In the end, it was decided by 9-0 vote that the district would attempt to build this metaphorical car for $98,800,000.

In doing so, it expressed concern that it wasn't being, as member David Amaditz put it, "penny-wise and pound-foolish."

"One of the reasons I wanted a new building [as compared with renovation] was concern with maintenance of the old building," Mr. Amaditz said.

Durability was also considered.

Two residents spoke against the plan Monday, citing unstable financial climates and concern about unfavorable bond rates.

But almost a year ago, when the board agreed to pursue new construction over two other options, it was noted that Bethel Park currently carries no debt.

It's possible that the school district will attempt to issue separate bond issues, hoping to catch a more favorable rate down the road. Regardless, said board member Dan Duff, even with construction bids arriving amid a less-than-ideal financial climate, the project probably won't raise taxes more than half a mill.

Half a mill in Bethel Park, on a $150,000 home, he said, comes out to $75 per year.

"The [current campus of] buildings are 50 years old, we have problems with the electric systems, the plumbing, the sewer lines ... .

"I am not enamored with the new high school design, but I think you have to work as a collective power "

An Act 34 public hearing will be held at Independence Middle School at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5.

District representatives were to present plans to the municipality last night.

Since May, the Bethel Park zoning hearing board has twice denied the district a variance to build a new high school legally. The school district has appealed again and a decision from the Allegheny County courts is expected by early February.