MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
CONFERENCE ROOM A
FEBRUARY 19, 2008
Members
of the Board present:
Mitchell Wilber, President
D. Thomas Scherer
Josephine Guard
Erminia Colizzi-Wooster
S. Ford Weiskittel
Member
excused: Norbert Amberg
Others
Present:
Robert C. Young, Jr., Superintendent
of Schools
Paul Darnall, Assistant
Superintendent for Curriculum/Instruction
Lauren Poehlman, Assistant
Superintendent for Business Services
Tod Mervis, Director of Facilities and
Operations
The meeting was called to order by President
Mitchell Wilber at 7:00 p.m.
Superintendent Robert Young led all present in the
salute to the flag.
Moved by Mr. Scherer, seconded by Mrs.
Guard that a discussion was held regarding
presentations on the district facility needs.
Goal: To exercise due diligence in examination of
the
EXCEL
Project Planning.
Objectives:
- Present proposal to public
- Prioritize safety needs
- Communicate in a way that is simple and
effective
- Insure
items in proposal is perceived as critical and essential
- This should include essential
technology, infrastructure upgrades
and technology upgrades whose purpose is to upgrade students
Strategies:
-
Appear conservation in scope
-
KISS: Simple justification
-
Zero impact in the levy
Principles Discussion:
- Exclude Hillier litigation elements
-
No field components
-
Exclude references to past quotes on moving forward
-
Emphasize importance of taking advantage of state assets offered to
offset depreciation of buildings/infrastructure ($2million per year)
-
Communicate the importance of capitalizing on state (EXCEL opportunity)
-
KISS: Simple justification
-
Keep in mind 10% reduction in enrollment in last 8 years
- EXCEL dollars don’t have to be used all at
once, small project is easier to sell
to community
- Develop a
progressive (multi-years) approach
Process:
- Create
consensus
-
Develop three scenarios
-
Test three scenarios
-
Create final first year proposal
Discussion:
-
Regarding degree of public involvement
-
Utilization of focus groups
-
Community ownership
-
Recruitment of public ambassadors
-
Public involvement which reflects vested ownership
Critical
Structures and Systems:
-
Roofs
- Priorities, WSS, NSS (high school
preventative), all three recommended
-
Boilers and univents
- NSS/WSS
priority
-
Window systems
- NSS/WSS priority
-
Ventilation
- NSS/WSS
priority
-
Technology
- NOC
- Wireless
- Further investigation
- Smart boards
- Need
Board visitation of use and Midlakes STEM Conference Attendance
-
Phones tied to communication needs
-
Computer Lab, NSS
-
Paving traffic walks
- WSS
priority
-
Plumbing contingencies
- NSS/WSS
testing results needed
- Air
conditioning
- Cooling for technology infrastructure essential
- Postpone all other until completion of
commissioning of Carter Rd Complex
Other
-
Lighting, NSS auditorium
-
Alarm systems, NSS/WSS
Closing Remarks:
-
More interest in addressing elementary issues instead of
-
Exclusion of original project items
-
Need to sort technology items
-
Need to address elementary issues equally (focus on North and West)
-
Thomas to address questions that have arisen
-
Administration will provide something for Board to react to over a
series of projects
-
Important to address safety and health items at
-
Refine costs
-
Classroom additions are now a low priority
Yes: 6
Absent:
1 (Mr. Amberg)
Motion
was carried.
Moved by Mrs. Guard, seconded by Mr. Scherer that
the meeting be adjourned to the call of the chair at 9:22 p.m.
Yes: 6
Absent: 1 (Mr. Amberg)
Motion was carried.
Respectfully
submitted,
Glenda
Board
of Education