Connellsville board approves Steinway restoration contract, conditioned on fundraising

The Connellsville Area School District board on March 3 authorized solicitation of grants and donations and approved a professional services agreement with Steinway & Sons for restoration of the district’s Steinway concert grand piano, contingent on receipt and commitment of sufficient outside funding for the $68,914 restoration.

The vote followed public comment from alumni, musicians and a registered piano technician who urged preservation. Judy Keller, a public commenter who described playing the piano in the mid-1980s, told the board, “The piano should be restored and preserved as it holds immeasurable historical value for the high school music program and the entire community.” Dan Alberts, a registered piano technician who said he has trained at the Steinway factory and serves as a past president of a local piano technicians group, told the board, “Steinway is the finest piano in the world, second to none.”

Why it matters: speakers at the meeting framed the instrument as both an educational tool used in district choirs and adjudicated festivals and an asset with substantial market value if restored. Board discussion clarified the district will not expend public funds on the project until committed donations and grants cover the restoration cost.

What the board approved: as read at the meeting, the motion authorized the district to solicit and apply for grants and private donations to restore the Steinway concert grand and to accept and approve a professional services agreement with Steinway & Sons Restoration Center to perform the work at an estimated cost of $68,914 “upon receipt and commitment of sufficient funding for such cost.” The motion passed; the board recorded the motion as carrying.

Key details discussed at the meeting - Cost and contingency: The restoration cost was presented as $68,914. Board discussion also referenced an initial amount of $34,004.57 mentioned by staff as the upfront sum needed to move the instrument for restoration; board members debated whether any district funds would be required before donations were secured. - Funding condition: Legal/administrative clarification at the meeting stated the board’s approval requires the district to raise the funds through donations and grants before the district expends money on the restoration. A board representative said that fundraising commitments must be in place before the district pays invoices. - Timeline and logistics: Speakers said the restoration would take about six months once started, and that the Steinway Restoration Center would pick up the piano within roughly two weeks if arrangements and funding logistics were resolved. Meeting discussion included a statement that Steinway would provide transport certificates, insurance and return delivery at no cost to the district for pickup and delivery; other participants said an initial payment would still be necessary to move the piano. - Warranty and appraisal: The restoration center’s work was described as including replacement with genuine Steinway parts, a certificate of restoration, a 5-year Steinway warranty on the restoration work, and a post-restoration appraisal. Speakers suggested a restored instrument could be worth roughly $120,000 or more on the market. - Fundraising: Board members and commenters referenced local donors and community groups. A representative said the Falcon Foundation would review support at an upcoming meeting and that at least a $1,000 pledge was mentioned during discussion.

Public comment and expert testimony shaped the record: several alumni and local musicians recounted using the piano for concerts, district choral festivals and adjudications with visiting college faculty. Technician testimony stressed the instrument’s longevity if restored and noted that Steinway restoration work is specialized.

Next steps: The board’s approval allows district staff to solicit grants and private donations and to execute the professional services agreement contingent on documented, committed funding. Board comments indicated staff will follow up on logistics, donor contacts and the schedule for pickup and restoration once funding commitments are secured.

Closing note: The board emphasized the approval was conditional; no district payments for restoration will be made until the required outside funding is received and committed.