BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD FACILITIES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2002

Members of the Board Facilities Committee met on Monday, February 4, 2002, at 6:00 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, Craig Haytmanek, and Rosie Amato. Also present were Thomas Doluisio, Superintendent of Schools, Michele Kostem, Assistant Superintendent, Jack Wittenberger, Acting Director of Maintenance/Security, Arif Fazil, District Engineer (D’Huy Engineering, Inc.), Mr. Gene Mater and members of the NOMALL group, and representatives from the press.

 

The meeting of the Board Facilities Committee was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mr. William Heske, Chairman.

 

The following items were discussed:

 

1.            Mr. Gene Mater introduced Mr. Ted Morgan of the NOMALL group who presented their views on the proposed Durkee Redevelopment Project along Eighth Avenue and its impact on the area and Nitschmann Middle School. Their main points were:

 

A.             Facilities area.

B.             Nitschmann Middle School with a 14-foot encroachment may not meet today’s setback requirements if it were new construction.

C.             Tax revenue impact of light-industrial would be more than commercial/shopping.

D.             They are asking the board to consider the Durkee Redevelopment Project a bad deal and would like them to consider not handing over the 14-foot encroachment. They would also like the district to write a letter to the City of Bethlehem requesting alternatives be pursued.

 

The board thanked them for their presentation and said they would take their information under consideration.

 

2.            Open Forum –

 

A.             Mr. Heske requested that the administration again look into the possibilities of a new site for the construction of a new Broughal Middle School. Mr. Doluisio noted that he has called the Bethlehem Steel Corporation and there is no change in the availability of their property. Mr. Fazil noted that the current site is 5.7 acres. He also noted that typical middle school acreage should be at least 20 acres but an ideal acreage would be 26 acres. Mrs. Leeson suggested that the administration check with the City of Bethlehem to see what they own on the south side.

 

3.            Construction Update –

 

A.        Jack Wittenberger stated that the Northeast Middle School project is on schedule. He noted that the schematic plans will be presented to the board at the March 4, 2002, Facilities Committee meeting.

 

B.         Regarding the elevator repairs at the old Northeast Middle School, the board asked if the new parts could be moved into the new facility? Mr. Fazil noted that, since an elevator would be needed in the new facility at the same time the old elevator would still be in use in the old facility, this would not be possible, but when the old facility is demolished, any new parts that can be salvaged will be removed prior to demolition.

 

3.        Agenda Items – February 25, 2002, Special Board Meeting

 

           Mr. Wittenberger and Mr. Fazil discussed the following agenda items. The board voted to bring these items to the February 25, 2002, Board Meeting:

 

A.             Pennsylvania Department of Education Self-Certification Approval – Spring Garden Elementary School Sewer Replacement Project

B.             Authorization to Expend 1998 Bond Funds – Donegan Elementary School Construction Project – Change Order Deduct

C.             Authorization to Expend 1998 Bond Funds – William Penn Elementary School Roof Replacement Project – Change Order Deduct

D.             Authorization to Expend 1998 Bond Funds – Bid Opening, February 21, 2002, Liberty High School and Lafayette Building Asbestos Removal (This item will be hand carried to the board meeting)

E.             Authorization to Expend 1998 Bond Funds – Rosemont Building Project, Change Orders (This item will be complete by the board meeting)

 

                     5.      Discussion Items –

 

A.             Freemansburg Bethlehem Township Athletic Association’s Request

 

Mr. Wittenberger noted that in 1995 the Freemansburg-Bethlehem Township Athletic Association entered into a ten-year lease with the Bethlehem Area School District and paid for the construction of four baseball fields on property adjacent to Miller Heights Elementary School. At the time of construction, outfield fences were not installed due to funding limitations. The Bethlehem Township Commissioners and the Parks and Recreation Department have had safety concerns regarding the lack of these outfield fences. Bethlehem Township has agreed to fund three outfield fences. The Freemansburg-Bethlehem Township Athletic Association is asking approval to have three fences installed at the Miller Heights Elementary School site at no cost to the district. Mr. Wittenberger noted that the maintenance department and the engineering staff have reviewed this request and recommend that the fencing be implemented for safety reasons. The board voted unanimously to approve this request.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

           

Minutes prepared by Charlotte L. Zimmerman, Confidential Secretary

 

 

____________________________________________________ Confidential Secretary