Board rejects $68,914 restoration of district grand piano after debate about condition and cost

The Connelsville Area School District school board voted down a proposal to pay $68,914 to the Sideways Fund to restore a 60-year-old grand piano that is used on district stages.

The proposal, presented as a service agreement for full restoration and transport, failed on a roll-call vote after multiple board members questioned whether restoration was the best use of funds. Board members who voted in favor included Ramsey, Driscoll and Marchwick; at least four members voted against the contract, so the motion failed.

Board discussion included technical and historical points about the instrument. A speaker on the record said the piano is a “Boston” model made by Steinway and argued it was among the best ever made and worth preserving because it was donated to the district and used for concerts. Another board member said administration had checked options and noted a new Boston model could be purchased for less than half the restoration estimate.

The proposal’s stated cost of $68,914 included pickup and delivery; during discussion a board member reported that an estimated replacement cost after restoration could exceed $120,000 and that the restored instrument might require only periodic tuning and light maintenance for decades. Supporters said the instrument has historical and performance value for students; opponents pointed to the district’s limited budget and the availability of new instruments for a lower price.

The failed motion was recorded as a formal vote and will not proceed as presented. Board members did not provide a substitute motion at the meeting to fund restoration from a different account or to pursue competitive bids. The board did not set a follow-up timeline at the meeting.

The discussion occurred during the student services agenda item and drew the longest debate of the night. No external donors or additional fundraising commitments were reported during the meeting.