BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD FACILITIES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2007

 

Mr. Rosario Amato, chairman, called the meeting of the Board Facilities Committee to order at 9:25 p.m. on Monday, November 12, 2007, in the Dining Room of the Education Center. Present were School Board Members Michele Cann, Charlene Koch, Diane Rowe, Loretta Leeson, Judith Dexter, Rosario Amato, and William Heske. Also present were Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools; Scott T. Gilliland, director of facilities and operations; Arif Fazil district engineer (D’Huy Engineering, Inc.); and representatives from the press.

 

The following items were discussed:

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS –

 

Mr. Fazil handed out the November 12, 2007, Capital Plan book as well as the proposed 2008 summer project list. He reviewed the proposed project list which included:

           

1.     Thomas Jefferson Elementary School – Replacement of fire alarm system

2.     William Penn Elementary School – Replacement of fire alarm system

3.     Spring Garden Elementary School – Re-coat single-ply roof

4.     Transportation Department – Re-coat single-ply roof

5.     Freedom High School – Provide monitoring cameras

6.     Freedom High School District Data Center – Install Liebert air-conditioning system and emergency generator

 

Mr. Fazil explained the items on the project list in detail. He said that the fire alarm replacement at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and William Penn Elementary School were an issue of safety. He also said that by re-coating the roofs at Spring Garden Elementary School and the Transportation Department would extend the warranty by ten years. He explained that Freedom High School was in need of additional security cameras, and the District Data Center housed there is in need of an air-conditioning system as well as an emergency generator. He asked the board to keep in mind that if the data center were to shut down due to a power failure, it could cause a large problem.

 

Dr. Lewis said that the normal annual capital for these items has been intentionally reduced by one-third.

 

Mr. Amato stated that three of these items were safety issues, and they should be fixed. He also added that he would like to see the roofs of Spring Garden Elementary School and the Transportation Department re-coated in order the extend the warranty by ten years.

 

 

 

Mr. Gilliland explained agenda item A, the new Broughal Middle School incidental fees and charges change order. He said that the $100,000 that was in the account was to pay for all the incidental fees associated with the Broughal Middle School project. The City of Bethlehem has allowed the School District to pay them directly and have also reduced some fees.

 

Mr. Gilliland outlined agenda item B, the PlanCon J Approval for the New Northeast Middle School construction project. This was submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education back in May 2006.

 

Mr. Gilliland explained agenda item C, the new fire rated glass replacement agreement for Freedom High School. He said after inspection of the glass that was installed during construction, there were irregularities noted. He and Mr. Fazil worked closely with the company to correct the problem. They have settled on a new agreement. The original warranty was only for one year, and the new warranty will be for two and a half years including parts and labor.

 

Dr. Lewis added that Mr. Gilliland and Mr. Fazil took the time to note every irregularity in the project, and by doing so, they have extended the warranty.

 

Mr. Gilliland reviewed item 1 of the new agreement, replacement by SAFTI. He asked the board to note that the company will replace the glass, hardware and/or components due to flaws, not misuse of the product.

 

Mr. Gilliland continued to explain agenda items D, E, and F. He said the carpet that will be installed at the Education Center, if approved by the board, will be carpet squares. Mr. Gilliland also said that he has had much success with carpet squares in the past.

 

AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NOVEMBER 19, 2007, REGULAR BOARD MEETING –

 

After discussion, the board committee agreed to bring the following agenda items to the November 19, 2007, Regular Board Meeting:

 

A.    Authorization to Expend 2005 and 2007 Bond Funds – New Broughal Middle School – Incidental Fees and Charges – Change Order

B.    New Northeast Middle School Construction Project – Plan Con J Approval

C.    Freedom High School Additions Project – Fire Rated Glass Replacement Agreement

D.   Liberty High School Additions and Renovation Construction Project – PlanCon Part I Approval

E.    Pennsylvania Department of Education Self-Certification Approvals – Various Projects

F.    Quotations for the $5,800 - $15,200 Category

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS –

 

No discussion.

 

OPEN FORUM –

 

No discussion.

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:40 p.m.

 

 

Minutes prepared by:

 

__________________________________________________________

Kristen M. Snyder, Secretary to the Director of Facilities and Operations

 

 

_____________________________________________

Scott T. Gilliland, Director of Facilities and Operations