Jan 26, 2015 By Cara Host 3 min read

The small, wood frame house in Bethel Park’s oldest neighborhood doesn’t look like much.

The porch roof sags a bit. Mold stains the siding and the interior is much worse, with collapsed ceilings, rotting walls – the result of more than a decade of abandonment and neglect.

But to Robert McCormick, the house at 2853 Cherry St. is a window to the region’s history. He and his group, Community Impact Coalition, would like to restore it, but taxes on the property have not been paid in over a decade. McCormick asked Bethel Park School Board to forgive its portion of the debt at its committee meeting Jan. 20.

“Bethel Park was a coal mining town and this was a company house,” he said. “This house would become an historical landmark and a place where everyone could step back in time to see what a company house was and what life was like for the families who lived in these homes.”

The house, which was built in the 1920s, has been vacant for about 12 years. McCormick said his group will have to obtain ownership from the bank and receive tax forgiveness from the school district, county and municipality before they can hope to start a restoration. He estimates about $30,000 in back taxes are owed.

Matthew Howard, assistant to superintendent, asked McCormick for additional information so that the board may consider his request at a later date.

Community Impact Coalition organizes various get-togethers in Bethel Park, including kickball and baseball games and clean-up days. The group meets at Bethel Baptist Church at 3 p.m. the first Saturday of each month.

At its regular meeting Jan. 27, the board will consider several personnel changes, including expanding the role of the director of elementary education. Dorothy Stark serves that capacity while also splitting her time as principal of Abraham Lincoln Elementary School.

“With all the changes coming down the pike,” Superintendent Nancy Aloi Rose said, “we recommend that Dr. Stark be moved to central office as our full time director.”

The board would then look for a candidate to serve as principal at the elementary school.

The board will also accept resignations of various staff members, including Michael Brookie, former principal at Armstrong Middle School, who has accepted a position as assistant elementary principal in Peters Township.

The board will consider hiring David Disque to manage the planned construction project at Washington Elementary School. Bethel Park School District plans to replace the heating, air conditioning and ventilation system at the school over the summer.

Board member Chuck Scheuble praised Disque for his work on constructing the new high school three years ago and said he considered him to be one of the heroes of that project.

The board will consider renewing the district’s contract with Allegheny Health Network, who provides athletic training services at sporting events. The board may ask to add additional hours to the contract to expand coverage of middle school sports. The cost difference will be about $6,000 a year for a total of about $30,500 annually.