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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-07-24 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session July 24, 2003 CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room. Present were School Committee Members Carpenter, Dahl, McFadden, Russo and Spadafora. Also present were Superintendent Schettini and Associate Superintendent Richards, Robert Peirce and Sid Bowen of Flansburgh Associates and George Livingstone Consultant to the Superintendent. Chair Dahl formally welcomed new Superintendent Patrick Schettini. Superintendent Schettini thanked the Committee and stated that he is pleased to be back in Reading. Chair Dahl thanked Mr. Richards for his work as interim superintendent. He stated that the Committee owes Mr. Richards a debt of gratitude. Superintendent Schettini introduced new Parker Middle School interim principal William Foye. Mr. Foye thanked the Committee and Superintendent Schettini for the opportunity to serve in Reading. BILLS & PAYROLL There were no bills and payroll. CITIZENS' INPUT Mr. Brown stated that he had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Foye at Parker, and he challenged Mr. Foye and the Parker community to raise money for the Veterans' Fund as the Coolidge community had done this year. GIFTS Mr. Carpenter moved to accept the generous donation of office equipment and furniture to Reading Memorial High School and direct the Superintendent to write an appropriate letter to Ms. Hilliard. Mr. Spadafora seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora v Regular Session 2 July 24, 2003 Chair Dahl updated the Committee on the recent Finance Committee meeting and stated that the next Financial Forum is scheduled for September 3'a Chair Dahl stated that the School Committee would be meeting with the Board of Selectmen on July 291h to select a School Committee member to complete the term of Ms. Cavicchi. Superintendent Schettini updated the Committee on his meeting with the Chair of the NEASC visiting committee. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Spadafora moved to reappoint Mr. Everett Blodgett as the School Committee representative to the Town of Reading's Celebration Committee. Mr. Russo seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora. FLANSBURGH PRESENTATION Superintendent Schettini introduced Robert Peirce and Sid Bowen of Flansburgh Associates. Mr. Peirce updated the Committee on the status of the new elementary school. Mr. McFadden asked if the school is on schedule for opening next September. Mr. Peirce stated that they were on schedule. Mr. Richards updated the Committee on the construction process and the weekly meetings held with the contractor and architect. He thanked the Town Manager and his staff for working with the contractor. Mr. Russo asked if there is a delay that goes beyond September is there a contingency plan in place for shifting students. Superintendent Schettini stated that the administration has begun working on a contingency plan that will be brought to the Committee for review but he is hopeful that the project is on schedule. Regular Session 3 July 24, 2003 Mr. Peirce presented the schematic design drawings for the Barrows Elementary School project. He discussed the changes that have been made since the initial drawings. He stated that the program has not changed as the plan was for 15 classrooms, 2 kindergartens, art, music, media and a gymnasium and the drawings still include those things. He stated that the amount of additional square footage has changed. He stated that the changes that occurred where the result of working with the school staff to design the school for educational issues. Mr. Russo stated that he does not understand the cost increase if the economy has declined over the last year. Mr. Peirce stated that the budget for the Barrows School was developed in 1998. Mr. Peirce outlined the discussions the architect has had with school staff regarding the lay out of the building. Ms. Phillips discussed what was submitted to the SBA and what was being presented this evening. She asked if there would be a problem with the SBA since changes were made to what was originally submitted. Mr. Peirce stated that we are accommodating a program for the elementary school and because there were no changes in the educational program the SBA should not view the changes as a problem. Chair Dahl asked from a historical issue have changes such as the ones made to the Barrows project created a problem for SBA reimbursement. Mr. Bowen stated that he estimated Flansburgh has done 150 schools and changes were made in the design from submittal to final design on most, and provided the educational program does not change the SBA has not had issues with the changes. Ms. Phillips asked what the cost is that SBA reimburses. Mr. Bowen stated that he could not recall the exact figure but that the Barrows project is well within the reimbursable range. Ms. Phillips stated her concern that Flansburgh's contract with the Town was for 5,000 more square feet. Chair Dahl asked that the presentation on the design of Barrows' continue. Regular Session 4 July 24, 2003 Mr. Peirce discussed the two additions now being proposed. He reviewed the designs with the Committee. Mr. McFadden asked if Barrows is considered an emergency shelter. Mr. Peirce stated that it is not, but the emergency generator is required to run sprinklers. Mr. McFadden asked if there was sufficient storage built into the plan. Mr. Peirce reviewed the storage areas. Mr. Russo asked if sufficient space was being planned for special education areas. Mr. Peirce reviewed the special education areas. Mr. McFadden asked whether the special education space was sufficient to handle the projected increase in special education students. Mr. Richards stated that special education space needs to be looked at district -wide, but that under the current plan and projections he believed the space would be adequate. Mr. Carpenter asked Mr. Peirce to summarize how the changes were driven by ADA and building code changes. Mr. Peirce stated that there were no changes specific to ADA. He stated that they had changed their approach regarding the entry and the stairway. Mr. Richards asked Mr. Peirce to review how existing space was recaptured. Mr. Peirce reviewed the areas where space was recaptured including the staircase, bathrooms and front porch. A member of the audience questioned whether the computer plans were for wireless. Mr. Peirce stated that had not been decided and discussions with the consultant were continuing on technology. Regular Session 5 July 24, 2003 Mr. Phillips asked how much the price would be lowered from what was anticipated if we are having a net reduction in square footage Chair Dahl stated that the goal was to stay within our budget and get the same product. Mr. Phillips stated that there is an allotment by SBA to accommodate inflation. Chair Dahl stated that regardless of what the SBA will reimburse for the project the Town has set a budget that the Committee must stay within. Superintendent Schettini discussed the impact the new space would have on the delivery of instruction. He thanked principal Callan and the Barrows staff for their work with the architect. The Committee discussed taking a classroom off line for a computer room. Mr. Richards asked Mr. Bowen for clarification on whether the Flansburgh contract is tied in to the square footage of the building. Mr. Bowen stated that it is not. He stated that Flansburgh does not receive a percentage of the construction costs but is paid based on the hours of work. Chair Dahl stated that the architect is bringing an educational plan forward for the Barrows school. He stated that it appears as though the Committee is not dissatisfied with the work on the plans for Barrows. He stated that he expects the high school project to go through similar changes. Mr. Bowen discussed the site plan. The Committee discussed the basketball court and parking options. Mr. Peirce stated that the Town would like off street parking for all cars. He stated that the issue of parking and the basketball court were still under discussion. Mr. Peirce left the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Mr. Brown stated that with the new elevator parents would not have to drive around to the back of the building for accessibility. Mr. Phillips stated his concern about the lack of a second exit and Mrs. Phillips discussed the number of parking spaces and parking options. Mr. Russo stated that as public officials we are obligated to make sure public is getting value for what is being spent and he stated his concern about estimates for the Barrows renovation. .--A. Regular Session 6 July 24, 2003 Mr. Carpenter stated that the best way to determine the cost is to go out to bid on the proj ect. After discussion Mr. Dahl asked if it was the consensus of the Committee to continue to move the Barrows project forward as presented. Seeing no dissention he accepted the action to move forward. ADJOURN At 9.30 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adiourn. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion The vote was 5 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Spadafora. Respectfull Pfitrick A"piettini, Jr. Superinter0ent of Schools