BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD FACILITIES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2006

Members of the Board Facilities Committee met on Monday, March 6, at 6:00 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Conference Room at the Education Center. Present were School Board Members Charlene Koch, Diane Rowe, Judith A. Dexter, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Loretta Leeson, Rosario Amato, Margaret Williams and Joseph Craig. Also present were Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools, Robert Gross, assistant superintendent for human resources, Scott Gilliland, director of facilities and operations, Roger Washburn, principal, Freedom High School, 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 6:05 p.m. by Mr. Amato, chairman. The following items were discussed:

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS –

 

None

 

OPEN FORUM –

 

Mrs. Williams provided two articles to Dr. Lewis for distribution to the board. Mrs. Koch shared her educational trip experience from a legislative leadership conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania. She reported that there were three legislative priorities the delegates of PSBA will be lobbying for:

1.     Legislation to increase the state contribution for special education services based on actual cost incurred and students served.

2.     Legislation that would relieve school districts from the impact of the back-end referendum requirements of Act 72 of 2004, including efforts to expand the number and scope of exceptions.

3.     Legislation requiring a periodic review of state-mandated programs, providing for full and continual funding of such programs and authorizing school entities to discontinue programs when funding is inadequate or terminated.

Mr. Craig reiterated how wonderful the conference in Hershey was. He shared that the guest speakers were Governor Ed Rendell, Lynn Swann, candidate running on the Republican ballot for PA Governor, U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, and Robert Casey Jr., candidate running on the Democratic ballot for U.S. Senate. Some topics discussed were Act 72, block grants and early education intervention.

 

Dr. Joseph Lewis informed the board that the charge of $6.00 for the “senior citizen night” for theatre shows was done in error and has been corrected. Mr. Washburn agreed and stated that it was a break down in communication. Dr. Lewis reported that with the current construction at both high schools it makes the theatre experience for senior citizens difficult to implement. Mr. Craig asked the board to consider a “senior prom”, a dance for seniors, instead of a play. Dr. Lewis and the administration will look into a location. He stated that perhaps a middle school may be able to accommodate that experience. Mrs. Williams mentioned that this event started off as a bus tour of the district for senior citizens and then expanded to seeing the high school plays. She stated that a prom would be a good alternative.

 

Mrs. Dexter asked Dr. Lewis if he committed to roll out 9^th grade laptops to freshmen in the fall. Dr. Lewis noted that this proposal is currently under consideration and study and would require board approval. Mrs. Dexter asked why the newspaper reported otherwise. Dr. Lewis responded by saying that he was probably misquoted. She also stated that Dr. Donaher had outlined this program at a Nitschmann parent meeting. Mrs. Dexter stated that she understood that training of ninth grade teachers had begun. Dr. Lewis responded that he was not aware of any training.

 

AGENDA ITEMS FOR MARCH 20, 2006, BOARD MEETING –

 

After discussion, the board committee unanimously agreed to bring the following agenda items to the March 20, 2006, Regular Board Meeting:

A.    Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds – Bids Opened March 7, 2006 Floor Replacement Asbestos Abatement – Asa Packer Elementary School

B.    Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds – Bids Opened March

                        3, 2006 - Flooring Replacement – Asa Packer Elementary School

C.    Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds – Bids Opened March

                        3, 2006 - Masonry and Roof Repairs – Various Buildings

D.    Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds – Bids Opened March

                        3, 2006 - Stage Rigging Replacement – Freedom High School

E.    Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds – Bids Opened March

3, 2006 - HVAC Replacement – Fountain Hill Elementary School and Fuel Line

            F.   New Northeast Middle School – PlanCon Part J Submittal

            G    Quotations for the $4,000 – $10,000 Cost Category

 

Mrs. Leeson asked why the Freedom High School Rigging Project was not part of the Freedom Addition Project. Mr. Fazil stated that since this is specialized work that only a few specialty contractors perform, it is more cost effective to bid it independently.

 

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS -

Projects in Construction Update –

A.    Freedom High School Additions
Mr. Gilliland reported that the building is ahead of schedule. He stated that during electrical shut downs it was discovered that changes are needed to the existing emergency lighting system in certain portions of the existing building. Recommendation for the correction of this situation will be brought to a subsequent meeting.

B.    Liberty High School Additions and Renovations

Mr. Gilliland reported that the building is also on schedule. Mr. Gilliland mentioned when you open archives, situations pop up from time to time. Plaster repairs needed to be addressed. The complexities of keeping the existing school operational require utility relocations almost daily. The existing conditions uncovered at the front plaza require modifications. Mr. Gilliland stated that existing building chases are currently not adequate for outside air requirements.

C.    Summer Projects

Mr. Gilliland noted that some of the Capital Improvement Projects will be started before the end of school only where it is necessary and where it will have minimal disruption to existing operations. He stated that roofing at Nitschmann will start on a portion of the building beginning April 3, 2006, and that this has been coordinated with the building administration. Some masonry repairs will be started at this time at some of the other buildings. The majority of work will occur over the summer.

 

In addition, the maintenance department will perform some “curb appeal” type work as well as regular maintenance projects which include refinishing of gym floors, line painting of parking lots, landscaping cleanup, and painting.

 

Mrs. Leeson inquired if the gym refinishing will affect summer programs. Mr. Craig and Mr. Gilliland noted that the work will be done in coordination with the various school athletic directors.

 

Mrs. Dexter questioned Dr. Lewis as to when the 8^th Avenue roadway improvements at Nitschmann would be addressed. Dr. Lewis stated that this is J.G. Petrucci Corporation’s responsibility and he is under the understanding that this is one of the early things they plan to do. Mr. Fazil stated that Petrucci has informed us that they will notify BASD before they start work. Dr. Lewis also mentioned that there is $150,000.00 set aside for some internal building improvements. The board will need to decide on how and when to spend this money.

 

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS –

 

None

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:50 p.m.

 

Minutes prepared by:

 

 

_____________________________________________

Joanne Carraghan, secretary to the director of facilities and operations

 

 

_____________________________________________

Scott T. Gilliland, Director of Facilities and Operations