School board discusses options for its ‘rock pile’
Principal hired at Markham
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Mt. Lebanon school directors on Monday appointed a new elementary school principal, discussed the future of the high school “rock pile” and heard a report about test score outcomes.
Natasha Dirda, who has been a unit principal at the high school since 2015, was unanimously appointed principal of Markham Elementary School. She replaces Rob Freil, who accepted a position as director of curriculum, instruction and assessment in the South Western School District.
Ms. Dirda’s annual salary will be $94,037. Her start date is to be determined.
She previously taught at North Hills and Upper St. Clair high schools. She has a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree from Robert Morris University, a K-12 principal’s certification from California University of Pennsylvania and is enrolled in the doctoral of education program at the University of Pittsburgh.
The board plans to discuss and possibly vote next week on whether to hire a designer for $81,000 to explore options for what is called the “rock pile,” a grassy area that had been used as a practice field before the high school was renovated.
Since the renovation work was completed this year, about 12,234 cubic yards of fill was placed on the site, raising its height by 6 feet, 3 inches.
Several months ago, the board asked staff members to prepare options for the site, including turning it into a full-size playing field for football, soccer and other sports.
The cost of converting the field would depend on several variables, including its size and the type of surface used.
The field could be used by the district as well as community and youth sports groups.
Richard Marciniak, district director of facilities, and assistant superintendent Ron Davis updated the board with their findings, including an assessment of health risks associated with artificial field surfaces.
Mr. Davis said a study funded by the U.S. government found that artificial turf poses no increased risk for concussions and that commonly used surfaces, such as crumb rubber, do not contain toxic levels of chemicals or harmful substances.
He pegged a rough estimate for a regulation-size, turfed field at about $1.3 million.
Several members said they would support converting the field to turf to address the constant need for more athletic fields.
“I think this is a unique opportunity,” director Larry Lebowitz said.
The board also heard a report of student academic outcomes that said students continue to outpace state averageson standardized tests and the district remains one of the topperformers in the state.
While the news was chiefly positive, some grades posted lower math scores than in previous years, which is to be addressed by administrators.
The full report can be read online at www.mtlsd.org.