BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD FACILITIES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2004

Members of the Board Facilities Committee met on Monday, January 12, 2004, at 6:00 p.m., in Superintendent’s Conference Room A at the Education Center. Present were school board members William Heske, Joseph Craig, Loretta Leeson, Charlene Koch, Rosario Amato, Craig Haytmanek, Diane Rowe and Margaret Williams. Also present were Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, Superintendent of Schools, Michele Kostem, Associate Superintendent, Monty Perfetti, Director of Operations, Planning, and Special Programs, Stanley Majewski, Business Manager, Lewis Lengyel, Assistant Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, Fran Bentkowski, Fred Harris, Al Snellmen, Rick Agretto, Arif Fazil, District Engineer (D’Huy Engineering, Inc.), 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:

 

I.               Open Forum –          

No Report.

 

II.             Agenda Items – January 26, 2004, Regular Board Meeting –

 

After discussion by the administration, the board unanimously agreed to bring the following agenda items to the January 26, 2004, Regular Board Meeting for approval:

                             

A.    Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds – New Northeast Middle School – Change Order – Folding Doors

B.    Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds – New Northeast Middle School – Change Order – Cameras

C.    New Northeast Middle School Construction Project – PlanCon I Submittal

D.    Quotations for the $4,000 - $10,000 Cost Category

 

All agenda items were discussed and recommended for board approval at the January 26, 2004, Regular Board Meeting.

 

III.           Construction Projects –

 

1.     Projects in Design Update
The few planned summer projects are being prepared for bid.

2.     New Northeast Middle School Update
The project is on schedule. Dr. Lewis is to provide a photo report at the January 26, 2004 board meeting.

3.     Projects in Construction Update

No report.

IV.           Discussion Items –

 

1.     Colonial Intermediate Unit #20 Second Chance Academy Construction Project.
Dr. Joseph Mickley, IU Executive Director, presented an overview of the plans for the new Second Chance facility and described the program. Dr. Mickley reported that this program will result in savings in special education costs to the districts in the long term. A 27 page handout was provided for review. Dr. Mickley reported that the current Reinhard building in Hellertown is not adequate and is in poor condition, also the planned site of the new building near Windgap has some zoning issues to resolve and financing for the project needs to be finalized. Mr. Makovec further reviewed the handout.

Dr. Mickley explained the financing. Mr. Amato asked that the facility allow for adequate space for future needs. Mr. Makovec noted that the facility appears to be adequate for 5 to 10 years with room for expansion. Further discussion resulted in confirming this based on current projections. Dr. Mickley stated that payment for the bond needs to be guaranteed; however, districts will pay only for their specific needs. A reconciliation will result in rebates if the cost allocated is not used.

Mrs. Williams asked about the costs the District pays when special education students have to be sent to programs out of the District. The costs were shown in the handout and are much higher than those through the Second Chance Academy.

After further discussion the board stated their support for the IU to proceed with the plans pending final board approval of the agreements required.

 

2.     Freedom High School additions, schematic plan review – PlanCon A and B.
Mr. Perfetti introduced the design team members. Mr. Furst presented site plans and floor plans of the planned additions and described how the various additions address existing conditions that need to be corrected. Mrs. Leeson asked that possible handicapped parking closer to the building be considered to access the building. The front entry atriums and the proposed solution were reviewed. We reviewed the fact that a portable stage can be located in the Gymnasium. Mr. Craig asked if the AD office should be relocated because of its remote location. The design team noted that the pros and cons of the proposed location of the AD office were reviewed; however, the location will be reviewed further by the design team.

Mrs. Koch asked if the plaza area on the east side would create similar problems as the front entry court that is being eliminated. The design team has studied this; however, there is an elevation change and need for windows along the fitness room. The team will further evaluate this area.

The board requested that the new school entries be clearly defined. Mr. Furst said this will be addressed. Mr. Heske noted that the design addressed many of the needs and made good improvements and also reminded the board that the design team concept the BASD uses works very well and the design will continue to be improved.

The board stated their approval of the design and permitted the design team to proceed with submissions of PlanCon A and B and the various approvals. Mr. Fazil noted that in addition to PlanCon A and B approval we may need to submit a waiver request from the PDE 20 year rule and the board approved Capital Plan update will need to be approved with a formal resolution.

3.     Freedom High School stage rigging.
Mr. Fazil reported that some recent repairs were made to the rigging. An inspection of all the rigging was also performed and resulted in a recommendation that the rigging be replaced since the existing rigging is old and wearing down.

4.     Freedom High School pool and gym bleacher replacement.
Mr. Fazil reported that the existing gym and pool bleachers are in very poor condition. Temporary repairs will not be feasible in the near future. It was suggested that:

i. the existing gym bleachers be replaced but with a capacity reduction from 1200 to 700 seats once the new gym is complete.

ii. the pool bleachers be removed and new raised bleachers accessible from the second floor be installed. This will eliminate all the concerns with the existing bleacher access being off the pool deck and will also provide storage for the pool area below the new bleachers. This will also improve entry access to the pool spectator area and possibly eliminate a planned first floor corridor in the addition.

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:00 PM.

 

Minutes prepared by Arif Fazil, District Engineer, D’Huy Engineering, Inc.,

and Monty Perfetti, Director of Operations, Planning and Special Programs

 

 

 

_________________________________________________________

Arif Fazil, District Engineer, D’Huy Engineering, Inc.