The debate over the Mt. Lebanon High School renovation project has raged for several months, and the entire project has been in existence for several years, but not once has anyone ever asked my opinion.

As a student at Mt. Lebanon High School, I am offended. The school board's opinion that facilities at the school are detrimental to our learning reveal the elitist opinion of the school board attempting to tell me and other students the best environment for us to learn in without even asking our opinions.

There are obvious concerns about the asbestos in the building, but these concerns have existed for more than a decade. Why didn't the school board ameliorate this situation when it first arose? Instead, they let students and teachers be exposed to asbestos on a daily basis while they debate the importance of a several million dollar skywalk.

Is the building cold sometimes? Sure, but unlike certain members of the community, I am willing to make sacrifices so taxes don't have to increase.

Even though the school board hasn't asked my opinion, here it is: I'll put my jacket on if you get the asbestos out of the building without spending $135 million and raising taxes.

Stop advocating the importance of a several million dollar skywalk while surrounding communities can barely afford computers.

STEVE METZ

Mt. Lebanon

The writer is a junior at the high school.

When I read about the hearings at West Jefferson Hills School District involving Terry Kinavey, I wonder if this is Salem or Western Pennsylvania.

I don't know any of the members of the school board, but I do know Mrs. Kinavey. I am a retired teacher from Steel Valley, and I know Mrs. Kinavey as both a teacher and an assistant principal. She had a distinguished reputation as a devoted educator who worked tirelessly to improve education.

I hope the residents of the school district look carefully at individual school board members and their involvement in this witch hunt. Please don't re-elect members who are more interested in politics than in education.

MEL UNITAS

West Mifflin

All letters are subject to editing and will be verified before being published. Only one letter from an individual will be published every three months. When there are many letters on the same topic, sometimes only one will be used, although the names of other letter writers will be published.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.