BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD FACILITIES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2002

 

Members of the Board Facilities Committee met on Monday, October 7, 2002, at 6:00 p.m., in Superintendent’s Conference Room A at the Education Center. Present were school board members Margaret Williams, Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, Julie Venanzi, Rosie Amato, and Joseph Craig. Also present were Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, Superintendent of Schools, Stanley Majewski, Director of Business Affairs, Arif Fazil, District Engineer (D’Huy Engineering, Inc.), Jack Wittenberger, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, and representatives from the press.

 

The meeting of the Board Facilities Committee was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mrs. Margaret Williams, Board President.

 

The following items were discussed:

 

I.               Open Forum – Nothing to report.

 

II.             Agenda Items – October 21, 2002, Board Meeting –

 

After discussion by the administration, the board unanimously agreed to bring the following agenda items to the October 21, 2002, Board Meeting for approval:

 

A.    Authorization to Expend 1996 Bond Funds – Hanover Elementary School Renovation Project – Change Order Deduct.

B.    Authorization to Expend 1998 Bond Funds – Spring Garden Elementary School Main Sewer Line Lateral Replacement – Change Order Deduct.

 

III.           Construction Update –

 

A.    Mr. Fazil reported on the following projects in design:

 

1.     Farmersville Elementary School, William Penn Highway road improvements – Pursuing approval and design. Dr. Lewis requested that acceleration lanes be investigated. Mr. Fazil reported that the scope of work is governed by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation requirements.

 

Mrs. Williams asked if there was an increase in traffic in front of Farmersville Elementary School along William Penn Highway as a result of the Route 33 extension. Mr. Wittenberger stated he would check with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Bethlehem Township Police Department regarding this question.

 

2.     Northeast Middle School construction project update. Mr. Fazil reported that this project is on schedule. Mr. Craig voiced a concern regarding the positioning of the athletic softball field backstop along Pembroke Road. He was concerned about foul balls being hit onto Pembroke Road. Mr. Fazil reported that the new fence backstop that will be installed will address this concern.

 

 

 

 

B.    Mr. Wittenberger reported on the following projects –

 

1.     Monocacy Building site improvements project - complete

2.     Lafayette athletic field project – schedule for November completion

3.     Maintenance annex parking lot project – complete

4.     East Hills Middle School chiller – submittals in progress

 

IV.           Discussion items –

 

A.    Mr. Wittenberger and Mr. Fazil discussed the Bethlehem Township Athletic Association (Bulldogs) request to install three soccer fields at the Farmersville Elementary School location. Site plans were given to the Board and Mr. Fazil discussed these plans. Mr. Majewski reported that he is working on the lease terms including parking, insurance, etc. by Bethlehem Area School District be addressed in the lease.

 

B.    Mr. Fazil presented the 2002 Capital Improvement Plan books to the Board and gave an explanation of each tabulated section of the book.

 

C.    A summary sheet of the 2001 bond issue projects was given to the board and Mr. Fazil and Mr. Majewski reviewed this information. All individual projects within the categories will be submitted for board approval before bidding the project.

 

1.     The bids for the Northeast Middle School scheduled to be received in February 2003 have been set up (with Pennsylvania Department of Education approvals) with an alternate add price for demolition of the existing building. If this add alternate is not accepted, the existing Northeast Middle School will be kept in place and used for implementation of the district’s 10-year plan which includes, Broughal Middle School, Liberty High School, and Nitschmann Middle School. Without the use of the existing Northeast Middle School, the 10-year plan implementation is very difficult.

 

2.     The 10-year plan yellow sheet is an option for moving the Broughal Middle School reconstruction up one year and depends on finding a new site for the school. Dr. Lewis stated he is pursuing this with the City of Bethlehem.

 

3.     The Freedom High School gymnasium addition is included in the Capital Plan and will be considered with a potential classroom wing and other core space additions depending on an enrollment evaluation.

 

4.     The plan lists all district wide required improvements. The projects at the various facilities targeted for reconstruction/renovation on the 10-year plan are being deferred and only necessary repairs will be done as required.

D.    Mr. Fazil and Dr. Lewis discussed a variance request in the area of Farmersville Elementary School regarding a proposed restaurant/bar facility.

 

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

 

 

Minutes prepared by Jack Wittenberger, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds

 

 

 

 

_________________________________________________________

Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds