Published: June 26, 2008 08:56 am      

NEW - Pittsburgh's Schenley school – whose alums include Andy Warhol and George Benson - to close

PITTSBURGH — A historic, 92-year-old school building is going to be closed because it is too expensive to repair.

The Pittsburgh school board has narrowly voted to close Schenley High School on June 30. Wednesday’s vote followed emotional debate on whether the building could be saved.

Superintendent Mark Roosevelt says it would cost $76 million to fix asbestos problems and update mechanical systems.

Board member Jean Fink says the building had to be closed for the children’s sake. Her colleague Randall Taylor says the public is not going to forget this decision.

Supporters wanted to save Schenley because of its architecture and history.

It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Schenley graduates include artist Andy Warhol, Nobel laureate Clifford Shull and jazz musicians George Benson and Ray Brown.