BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD FACILITIES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2006

 

Members of the Board Facilities Committee met on Monday, June 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the Dining Room at the Education Center. Present were School Board Members Charlene Koch, Diane Rowe, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Loretta Leeson, Rosario Amato, Margaret Williams and Joseph Craig. Also present were Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools, Stanley J. Majewski Jr., assistant to the superintendent for finance and administration, Thomas K. Washington, director of student services, Scott Gilliland, director of facilities and operations, 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 6:35 p.m. by Mr. Amato, chairman. The following items were discussed:

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS –

 

Dr. Craig Haytmanek introduced his guest, Reverend Gilberto Garcia, Pastor of the United Church of Christ from South Side Bethlehem. He invited his friend to June’s Facilities Committee Meeting to see how Bethlehem Area School District conducts business.

 

AGENDA ITEMS FOR JUNE 26, 2006, BOARD MEETING –

 

After discussion, the board committee unanimously agreed to bring the following agenda items to the June 26, 2006, Regular Board Meeting:

 

A. Authorization to Expend 2005 and 2007 bond funds – New Broughal Middle School

Construction Project – Soil borings and Geotechnical Report

B.     Authorization to Expend 2005 and 2007 bond Funds – New Broughal Middle School

Construction Project – LEED Certification Design and Commissioning Consultants

-       Mr. Arif Fazil explained to the board members that the chosen LEED proposals were not necessarily the lowest in terms of cost but were the lowest in terms of their qualifications.

C.     Liberty High School Additions Project – PlanCon I Approvals

D.    Freedom High School Additions and Renovations Project – PlanCon I Approvals

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

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS –

 

Dr. Lewis discussed with the board a Broughal Middle School Artifacts List that was generated for the purpose of replicating or relocating selected building artifacts into the new Broughal Middle School.

 

Mr. Fazil recommended that a specialty contractor should be considered to make this process successful.

 

Dr. Lewis discussed the following artifacts: lobby marble, French doors, plaster rosettes, wall sconces, mosaic tile patterns, original slate blackboards, library checkout desk, historical plaques, and mosaic tile murals, entrance balustrade, brownstone book accents, engraved brownstone, brick patterns, and brownstone elements. He did share with the board that the architect will be presenting a proposal for cost in using exact or rough replication of the artifacts.

 

Mr. Craig suggested that if we need to prioritize the artifacts, the cornerstone, the Broughal High School engraved brownstone, and historic plaques should be given top consideration.

 

Mr. Gilliland explained the cost estimates for air conditioning eight Nitschmann Middle School classrooms located in the original building along 8^th Avenue. After discussion, the board decided to review and check conditions at the school in early September or October before a final decision will be made.

 

Mr. Fazil detailed a proposal for modular classroom relocation of units from Rosemont to Miller Heights. The scope of the project includes the dismantling of two existing modular classrooms, transporting and reassembling at Miller Heights Elementary School. Mr. Fazil shared with the board a breakdown of costs associated with the project.

 

Mrs. Williams indicated that she dislikes the current use of “art on a cart” and “music on a cart” and feels that these subjects are best taught in their own classroom.

 

Mr. Fazil shared with the board that summer projects are moving along very nicely. Freedom is moving well, and the front two story addition is about to be turned over for district use. This includes the administrative office/main office of the principal. Liberty is also looking very nice. Mr. Fazil mentioned that he and Mr. Gilliland attended a meeting with the Pennsylvania Department of Education on Broughal Middle School. There were some capacity issues that necessitated the adjustment of rooms for reimbursement purposes; this was successfully accomplished. The Pennsylvania Department of Education does not reimburse for auditorium space.

 

Dr. Lewis shared how receptive the City of Bethlehem and the Rev. Edith Roberts of St. Paul Lutheran Church have been toward this project. Representatives from Lehigh University are meeting with Dr. Lewis, Mr. Fazil, Mr. Majewski and Mr. Gilliland in the near future to work collaboratively on construction staging and parking issues related to the project.

 

OPEN FORUM –

 

None

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:35 p.m.

 

Minutes prepared by:

 

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Joanne Carraghan, secretary to the director of facilities and operations

 

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Scott T. Gilliland, Director of Facilities and Operations