In response to "Carlynton board tables talk of possible merger" (April 21), the board had voted earlier this year to consolidate Crafton and Carnegie elementary schools and erect a new building in Carnegie. Since I am a resident and a bricklayer who works on school renovations, additions and new buildings, I have followed this topic closely.

Voters in Carlynton should know that the proposed renovation option for $37 million includes additions to the elementary schools -- 74 rooms to the 163 rooms our schools currently have. Pages 3 and 11 of the cost modeling study on the district's website show what type of rooms would be added.

The 74 rooms include adding 12 bathrooms to the 26 we already have and 11 administrative offices to the 13 administrative offices our schools have operated with for years.

Voters should also know that page 19 of the cost modeling study shows the $27 million new building would have 155 rooms -- 82 fewer rooms than the $37 million renovation option. Since there was a 5 to 4 vote to build the new school, our schools must not need additional rooms.

As a voter, I would like to see the district's savings used to update building and educational necessities in our structurally solid schools with new roofs, new mechanicals, wireless technology, etc.

This way, the taxpayers don't go into debt to pay for something we don't need.

MICHAEL MAGLIOCCO JR.

Crafton

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