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Connellsville board approves limited funding for Steinway restoration after heated public comment
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Summary
The Connellsville Area School District board voted on an add-on motion to fund restoration of a Steinway piano ($68,914 total cost) with donations offsetting part of the expense; the proposal prompted strong public opposition over taxpayer priorities and a mixed roll-call vote.
The Connellsville Area School District board on a routine November meeting approved a motion to authorize payment from the general fund toward restoration of a Steinway grand piano, while noting the district will continue to solicit donations to offset the cost.
The add-on motion proposed that the district pay for the Steinway piano restoration using general-fund dollars “with such amount offset by all donations previously received and/or any donations received in the future for piano restoration,” and listed the total restoration cost as $68,914 and donations received as $6,369.78 as of Oct. 29, 2025. Board member Saxman moved the item and it was seconded.
The request prompted extended public comment both against and in favor. A resident who identified himself as a township taxpayer read a breakdown of local property-tax receipts and said, “I keep hearing grumblings of wanting to spend $70,000 to refurbish a piano,” and asked the board not to be ‘‘the ones that spent $70,000.’” Another resident said students do not use the instrument and called the expenditure ‘‘an ornament’’ if it is not regularly showcased by students.
Supporters said the instrument is used by chorus and music programs, described a daily rotation that allows roughly 100–120 students to benefit from the Steinway, and argued delaying repair will cost more in the long run. A board member summarized the piano’s age and classroom use, saying the instrument “goes back to 1967” and “needs repair.”
After public comment the board conducted a roll-call vote. The recorded responses included both “yes” and “no” votes by name; the chair declared the motion carried and noted the district could pursue grants and donations to reduce the net cost.
The board did not specify an exact schedule for restoration work at the meeting. Members and speakers repeatedly encouraged additional fundraising and grant-seeking to reduce the general-fund impact.
The district’s next reorganization meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3; board members said they will continue to explore external funding to reduce the district’s share of the restoration cost.
