As a decision on the Pittsburgh Schenley High School building looms, Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt last night provided additional information showing the district's financial condition is improving but remains a serious concern.

Mr. Roosevelt said the presentation, given at the school board's agenda review meeting, was not intended to foreshadow his recommendation on the Schenley building. He will make his recommendation at a meeting Monday, and the board is expected to vote in June.

In October, Mr. Roosevelt proposed closing the Oakland building at the end of this school year because of maintenance problems totaling $64 million. He later requested more time to study the issue.

Board members requested last night's presentation because they were unsure how much money has been saved, or spent, since Mr. Roosevelt joined the district three years ago.

General fund budgets increased 18.6 percent from 1999 to 2002, jumped 9.1 percent from 2002 to 2005, then decreased 0.2 percent in the past three years, Mr. Roosevelt said. This year's general fund budget is $529.1 million.

Despite spiraling costs for health care and other items, Mr. Roosevelt said he has held the line on spending by closing 22 schools, cutting positions district-wide and raising additional state, federal and foundation funds.

Debt service increased 71.5 percent from 1999 to 2002, 21.2 percent from 2002 to 2005 and 6.4 percent in the past three years, Mr. Roosevelt said.

Debt service, part of the general fund, is the repayment of bonds used to finance capital projects. The district's debt now tops $475.6 million.

Board President Bill Isler said he's concerned that the district would "not be able to take on much more debt." After the meeting, Mr. Isler said that statement wasn't a reference to the debate over Schenley's future.