BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD FACILITIES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2002

Members of the Board Facilities Committee met on Monday, January 7, 2002, at 7:30 p.m., in the Superintendent’s Conference Room at the Education Center. Present were school board members Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, Julie Venanzi, Margaret Williams, William Heske, Joseph Craig, Edward Gallagher, Craig Haytmanek, and Rosie Amato. Also present were Thomas Doluisio, Superintendent of Schools, Michele Kostem, Assistant Superintendent, Jack Wittenberger, Acting Director of Maintenance/Security, Monty Perfetti, Director of Secondary Education, William Burkhardt, Principal, Liberty High School, Stan Majewski, Director of Business Affairs, Arif Fazil, District Engineer (D’Huy Engineering, Inc.), Charlie Shoemaker of Spillman Farmer Architects, and representatives from the press.

The meeting of the Board Facilities Committee was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mr. William Heske, Chairman.

The following items were discussed:

1. Open Forum –

A. Mr. Craig requested an estimate for fencing to enclose the athletic areas at Freedom High School.

2. Construction Update –

Jack Wittenberger stated that all current projects are complete.

3. Agenda Items – January 7, 2002, Special Board Meeting

Mr. Wittenberger and Mr. Fazil distributed and reviewed a bid summary sheet.

Mr. Fazil and Mr. Doluisio explained that the CAMP program will be taken out of Northeast Middle School as previously planned and moved to the Monocacy building. The administration noted that it will be more cost efficient to maintain Monocacy than add additional space at the new Northeast Middle School. Mr. Fazil and Mr. Doluisio informed the board that only minimal necessary improvements were being planned at both Rosemont and Monocacy, the buildings are not being renovated. The improvements include electrical work, some flooring, and minimal site work.

The following agenda items for the January 7, 2002, Special Board Meeting were reviewed -

A. Authorization to Expend Bond Funds – Bid Openings –

1. Auditorium and Cafeteria Air Conditioning Electrical Contract – Liberty High School

2. Auditorium and Cafeteria Air Conditioning Mechanical Contract – Liberty High School

-- Mr. Amato questioned if this item was more a luxury than and actual necessity. Mr. Amato and Mrs. Leeson voted “No” on this item.

3. Electrical Contract – Rosemont and Monocacy Buildings

4. General Contract Improvements – Rosemont Building

5. Mechanical Contract – Rosemont Building

6. Plumbing Improvements – Freedom High School

7. Elevator Modernization Electrical Contract – East Hills Middle School and Liberty High School

8. Elevator Modernization General Contract – East Hills Middle School and Liberty High School

9. Elevator Modernization Elevator Contract – Various Sites

-- The administration discussed the necessity of modernizing district elevators

10. Site Improvements – Calypso Elementary School, Rosemont Building, and Monocacy Building

11. Plumbing Improvements – Rosemont Building and Backflow Preventors – Various Sites

B. E-Rate Proposal – Agenda items were reviewed by Dr. Scott Garrigan.

4. Agenda Items for the January 28, 2002, Board Meeting -

Mr. Wittenberger and Mr. Fazil discussed the following agenda items. The board voted 9-0 to bring these items to the January 28, 2002, Board Meeting.

A. Authorization to Expend 1998 Bond Funds – Telephone/Written Quotations for the $4,000 - $10,000 Cost Category – Asbestos Removal – Rosemont Building

B. Northeast Middle School Construction Project – District-Wide Facility Study

C. Bethlehem Area School District Stadium Concession Stand Report - 2001

5. Discussion Items –

A. Ten-Year Plan, Broughal Middle School -

Mr. Fazil reviewed the district’s current 10-year plan (dated October 2001). He noted that, with the board’s approval, Broughal Middle School would be reconstructed after the Northeast Middle School project is complete. Mr. Charlie Shoemaker from Spillman Farmer Architects presented tentative drawings for building a new Broughal Middle School on the current site. Options were discussed. Mr. Heske requested the administration investigate other possible sites on the south side of Bethlehem that may have more acreage.

B. Northeast Middle School Building Concept –

The administration reported that the design team is currently working with the staff of Northeast Middle School. It has been decided that

1. Students will remain in the old building during construction of the new facility. It was also noted that the existing building would not be demolished at the completion of the project but may be used in the future to house students from Broughal Middle School, Liberty High School Commons Building, etc., if the board approves reconstruction of these and/or other facilities.

2. The streets around the facility will be used to maximize access points and prevent mixing of busses, service/delivery vehicles, and cars.

3. The new facility will be three stories.

4. The new facility will contain areas for community use. These areas will have outside entrances and the capability to be closed off from the main building during non-school hours.

5. The board requested that flexible spaces be incorporated into the design, e.g., rooms with the ability to be partitioned into smaller rooms. It was noted that the design team is already considering this and will continue to do so as long as rooms will be used in both ways, since there is a premium to construct these types of rooms.

6. Mr. Heske requested terrazzo floors be incorporated in the corridor.

7. Mrs. Leeson requested that the architecture incorporate a community relationship to instill pride.

C. Durkee Property Redevelopment Project (Improvements at Nitschmann Middle School/8^th Avenue) –

Mr. Fazil gave an update on the redevelopment project at 8^th Avenue including the changes in traffic patterns adjacent to Nitschmann Middle School. He explained that the developer has agreed to construct a split-face block wall, install new sidewalks, and plant trees at Nitschmann Middle School to reduce noise into the building and provide for pedestrian safety along 8^th Avenue. The board agreed that students who walk to school along 8^th Avenue will be bussed to school if the project proceeds. Mr. Amato suggested two walkway bridges be constructed for pedestrians to cross 8^th Avenue and Union Boulevard. Mrs. Koch noted that a block wall may prohibit visibility behind the wall and result in vandalism. Further updates will follow if the city approves this project.

D. Lafayette and Maintenance Annex Plan Review –

Mr. Fazil reviewed plans for the property at Lafayette once the building is demolished. The board requested bathroom facilities and equipment storage sheds be built on the site for athletic purposes. It was noted that the bathrooms and storage areas are to be kept locked except when in use by district personnel.

Mr. Fazil also noted that the house next to the Maintenance Office on E. Fairview Street has been purchased by the district and will be demolished and used as a parking area for approximately eight maintenance vehicles. Both plans were approved and will be submitted for city approval.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m., at which time a special board meeting was held.

Minutes prepared by Charlotte L. Zimmerman, Confidential Secretary

____________________________________________________ Confidential Secretary