BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD FACILITIES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2006

Members of the Board Facilities Committee met on Monday, May 1, 2006, at 6:15 p.m. at Northampton Area Community College, South Campus, Room 220. Present were School Board Members Charlene Koch, Diane Rowe, Judith Dexter, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Loretta Leeson, Rosario Amato, Margaret Williams and Joseph Craig. Also present were Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools; Stanley Majewski Jr., assistant to the superintendent for finance and administration; Robert Gross, assistant superintendent for human resources; Thomas Washington, director of student services; Scott Gilliland, director of facilities and operations; Robin Lutcher, director of information technologies; Joseph Santoro, principal, Broughal Middle School; Arif Fazil, district engineer (D’Huy Engineering, Inc.); Robert Furst, principal architect from Architecture Furst; and representatives from the press.

 

The meeting of the Board Facilities Committee was called to order at 6:25 p.m. by Mr. Amato, chairman. The following items were discussed:

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS –

 

Mr. Stephen Antalics asked Mrs. Williams why she wrote an editorial on “Broughal, a Long Hard Decision” in the Lehigh University Brown and White newspaper. She stated she wrote a letter to the editor and six other board members read her letter before submittal. It was the choice of the Brown and White staff to editorialize her comments.

 

AGENDA ITEMS FOR MAY 15, 2006, REGULAR BOARD MEETING –

 

After discussion, the board committee unanimously agreed to bring the following agenda items to the May 15, 2006, Regular Board Meeting:

 

A.    New Northeast Middle School Construction Projects – PlanCon Part J Submittals

B.    Freedom High School Additions Project – PlanCon I Submittal

C.    Liberty High School Additions and Renovations Construction Project – PlanCon I Submittal

D.   Authorization to Expend 2005 and 2007 Bond Funds – Freedom High School Additions – Change Order

 

– Mr. Gilliland explained that the Freedom High School new
athletic field on Chester Avenue needs fencing to maintain safe
play areas due to the proximity to the roadways. Mrs. Williams
asked if Mr. Gilliland was referring to the black vinyl coated
fence that is installed at the Lafayette ball fields. Mr. Gilliland
stated that five-foot high black vinyl fence was selected to
minimize the aesthetic impact yet still provide for safety.

 

E.    Authorization to Expend 2005 and 2007 Bond Funds – Liberty High School Additions and Renovations Project – Change Orders

F.    Pennsylvania Department of Education Self-Certification Approval – East Hills Middle School Library Ceiling Repairs

G.   Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds – Bids Opened May 9, 2006 – Library Ceiling Repairs – East Hills Middle School

– Mr. Gilliland explained to the board the proposed request to
address the East Hills’ library ceiling. Paint is falling down on
work stations and tables, and it must be addressed. The
specifications have been written as a base bid for sheetrock
with an alternate bid for prefabricated acoustical panels.

 

H.   New Broughal Middle School – PlanCon A and B Submittals

I. Quotations for the $4,000 - $10,000 Cost Category – Broughal Middle

School – Wood Shop Floor Abatement and Resurfacing

– Mr. Gilliland discussed the request to abate and resurface the
Broughal Middle School woodshop floor. Abatement must be
completed at some time prior to the demolition of the building.
The replacement floor is necessary due to safety concerns
relative to the wear of the current flooring.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS –

 

Mr. Arif Fazil discussed the new Broughal Middle School facility plans, and the PlanCon A and B submissions. He had the board look at A1-2 of the site plan and noted that Mr. Santoro and staff relocated the DARE officer to the second floor. Administrative offices will stay as originally planned on the first floor.

 

Mr. Santoro explained that after all the discussion and consideration of moving administrators to other floors, the administration’s recommendation is to keep all administrative offices on the first floor. This discussion was based on security concerns, access control, traffic flow, student movement, and the benefits of centralizing student-related services. He reflected on the fact that earlier in the week there was a murder on Broadway Street in Bethlehem, his neighborhood, early in the morning not far from his building. It is the best way possible to keep the building safe and controlled.

 

Mr. Fazil shared with the board the progress and timetables for approved summer capital improvement projects. He noted that a portion of the Nitschmann Middle School roof was completed and that some masonry projects are underway as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPEN FORUM –

 

Mrs. Leeson offered Mr. Fazil and Mr. Gilliland a magazine with an article regarding a school in South Carolina, “Taking the Leed in South Carolina Buildings” which seemed very similar to what we are doing with Broughal Middle School.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:25 p.m.

 

Minutes prepared by:

 

_____________________________________________

Joanne Carraghan, Secretary to the Director of Facilities and Operations

 

 

_____________________________________________

Scott T. Gilliland, Director of Facilities and Operations