BOARD FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2004

Members of the Board Facilities Committee met on Monday, February 2, 2004, at 6:20 p.m., in Superintendent’s Conference Room A at the Education Center. Present were school board members Joseph Craig, Loretta Leeson, Julie Venanzi, Charlene Koch, Dr. 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; William Burkhardt, principal Liberty High School; Sam Senneca; Lois Pinto; Donald Midway; Frances Bentkowski, principal, Freedom High School; Al Snellman; Fred Harris; Lewis Lengyel, assistant supervisor of buildings and grounds; Charlie Shoemaker; Dan Harrigan; Mark Ortwein of Spillman Farmer Architects; Robert Furst of Architecture Furst; 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 6:25 p.m., by Mrs. Leeson, acting Chairman.

 

The following items were discussed:

 

I.               Open Forum –          

• Mrs. Koch asked that the Donegan Elementary School Web site photo be updated.

II.             Agenda Items – February 23, 2004, Regular Board Meeting –

 

After discussion by the administration, the board unanimously agreed to bring the following agenda items to the February 23, 2004, Regular Board Meeting for approval:

                             

A.    Planned Capital Improvements – District-Wide Facility Study
The February 2, 2004, Capital Improvement Plan books were distributed to all board
members.

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

C.    Freedom High School Additions – PlanCon A and B Submittals

• The plans for the PlanCon submittals were handed out and reviewed. In addition,
a handout of summary scope of work was reviewed.
• The board requested that Frances Bentkowski present the plan to parents and
students for their information. Mr. Craig asked if Freedom was pleased with the
plans. Fred Harris and Al Snellman responded that they are very satisfied with
the plan addressing the needs.
• Mrs. Venanzi was assured that the gym seating capacity of 2,500, cafeteria size,
and planned classrooms will be adequate for currently projected enrollment needs.

 

All agenda items were discussed and recommended for board approval at the February 23, 2004, Regular Board Meeting.

 

 

 

III.           Construction Projects –

 

1.     Projects in Design Update
• Summer project bids will be presented in March

2.     New Northeast Middle School Update
• Project is on schedule

3.     Projects in Construction Update

• No report

IV.           Discussion Items –

 

Liberty High School Additions and Renovations Schematic Plan Review –

 

• Charlie Shoemaker and Mark Ortwein presented the plans.

• The board was pleased with the creative plan which will be presented for PlanCon A & B

approval in March.

• The board requested that pool seating be increased to approximately 300. Mr. Craig asked

if we had reviewed increasing the size of the pool for dedicated diving. The team has

reviewed this, but budget and space restrictions limit consideration.

• Discussed possible improvements to the location of public toilets for auditorium use.

There is limited space for this toward the Linden Street side of the Commons Building, but

the team will review.

• Existing lobby marble and features of the original building will be maintained.

• The tradition and appearance of the Commons Building should be maintained, and the new

addition will be integrated into the Commons Building and Memorial Gym.

• Discussed the fact that auxiliary gyms would not be used for wrestling.

• The plan will result in 10 to 12 additional classrooms and the School District plans to

stabilize the capacity at approximately 2,500 – 2,800 students. Mr. Burkhardt noted that

with the addition/renovation the building should be able to hold 3,000 students; however,

he and Dr. Lewis do not support such a large high school.

• The planned restrooms for the Memorial Gym at the west end will double for stadium use.

• Mr. Craig was assured that provisions will be made for television crew cable access into the
gym from the west end of the gym that is planned to be closed into a new lobby.

• Mr. Shoemaker stated that ADA compliance will be met. Mrs. Leeson asked if some

handicapped parking considerations will be made. A new ADA accessible ramp is planned

for the front of the building along Linden Street. ADA parking will be provided per code

requirements.

• Mrs. Leeson asked if we could review options to limit building access. This will be difficult

because of the separate buildings (Classroom Center, Lab Center); however, this will be

reviewed.

• Dr. Lewis stated that the project’s budget will be increased by approximately $1.2 million

by using capital improvement funds. By doing so, following improvements will be more

economically addressed as part of this project:
- East side stadium toilet rooms, storage, etc.
- Lab center’s roof replacement – this will be bid as an alternate.



• Mr. Craig asked if Liberty High School was pleased with the plans. Mr. Burkhardt and Ms.
Pinto responded by saying yes. However, because of existing conditions and budget
restraints, the indicated that there were some compromises and limitations, but the
improvements will greatly improve the spaces. Mr. Burkhardt also noted that there is a
space allocation for a climbing wall which requires a modification to the high school
health/fitness curriculum.

• Mrs. Leeson asked if a new drop off could be considered. Mr. Fazil reported that this will be
considered along Elizabeth Avenue; however, the traffic and two eastbound lanes along
Elizabeth Avenue may not permit this.

• Dr. Lewis and Mr. Burkhardt confirmed that there has been extensive input from a wide
variety of staff and instructional departments.

• Mr. Burkhardt was requested to follow up with students, parents, and community

representatives to review the plans.

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:00 p.m.

 

Minutes prepared by Arif Fazil, D’Huy Engineering, Inc., district engineer,

and Monty Perfetti, director of operations, planning and special programs

 

 

 

_________________________________________________________

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