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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-05-16 ad Hoc School Building Committee Minutessaw( 6a4u? (_~~ft4e 5116 /W r^ J f! Reading School Building Committee Minutes of RSBC Meeting Held on May 16 2000, 7.30 p.m. (In the Library of Reading Memorial High School) Committee Members Attending: Russ Graham, Chair (RG) Alex McRae (AM) Joe Lupi (JL) Rich Radville (RR) Tim Twomey (TT) Jeff Struble (JS) Paula Perry (PP) Dennis LaCroix (DL) Featured Guests: Frank Orlando, Principal (RMHS) Rick Barrett, Director of Facilities The main reason for the meeting was to have the Committee tour the RMHS facilities, which began as soon as the meeting was called to order. Messrs. Orlando and Barrett conducted the tour, during which time no group discussions took place. The tour lasted until approximately 9:00. Upon returning from the tour, Mr. Orlando gave a brief description of some of the problems that face RMHS (enrollments increasing, lack of technology, lighting, mechanical, etc.). RG stated that the Committee would have a chance to speak with the architect who directed the latest study (Gene Raymond of Strekalovsky & Hoit) at a later date. He then asked the members for general impressions, having had the tour. PP asked if the present classroom spaces are adequate or inadequate for their functions. Mr. Orlando stated that different subjects and applications require different amounts of space, citing English and Science as lower/higher users of space as examples. Use of computers in the curriculum also adds to the space demands. RG reminded everyone that NESDEC had shown that the older portion of the high school (1954) had smaller-sized classrooms than recommended by the SBAB for present educational programming. TT added that class size plays a part in assessing the adequacy of classroom space. Mr. Orlando went on to say that one of his goals would be to have at least three computer workstations for students and one for teachers in every classroom where computers are used. Further, he pointed out some of the architect's suggestions, such as enlarging classrooms by trading three existing classrooms for two new ones, moving the business F' K Reading School Building Committee 2 Meeting Minutes from May 16, 2000 department into the present girls' locker room and re-assigning the present business classrooms and trying to keep individual departments together in the same locales. JS asked Mr. Orlando if the high school was (in any way) in accreditation trouble at the present time. He responded that in 2001-2002, the high school administration would be evaluating themselves. Then the following year, a visit will be made by a group of New England educators to assess the school on nine standards, ranging from educational program to staffing to facilities. Emphasis will be placed on how well previous accreditation reports have been addressed. Mr. Orlando feels that RMHS will do well on all standards except facilities. The educators will be aware of Reading's plans for addressing the school facilities by way of the Capital Plan and any directives made by Town Meeting and should take them into account. Mr. Orlando went on to say that RMHS may receive some strong recommendations for facilities upgrades, but he would be surprised if its accreditation would be pulled because of it. Other observations were offered. RG commented on the dreariness of most of the spaces, stating that they are not conducive to good learning and that this effect should be addressed. Mr. Orlando agreed. PP asked if there were any safety concerns. Mr. Orlando mentioned students crossing the parking lot to access the fieldhouse as one issue. Another was the use of too-few electrical outlets. To that point, Mr. Barrett added that the electrical distribution network is nearly maxed-out, requiring increasing use of exposed conduit, which is undesirable from a safety standpoint. Increased technology demands will also increase electrical demand, further aggravating the problem. PP asked about the air quality in the school, to which Mr. Orlando replied that it was acceptable. Recent venting repairs in the science wing (C Bldg.) corrected a long-standing ventilation problem there. In addition, the existing intercom system is undependable and in need of general repair. Communications within the building are poor and are a potential safety risk (timely responses to emergencies). Walkie-talkies were used primarily for inter-administration and long-distance (outside) communications and do not work in all areas within the building. Mr. Barrett offered local building component settlement onto communication lines as a possible explanation for their inoperative condition. Mr. Orlando stated that although the building is wired for a computer network, only a quarter of the classrooms that could use computers have them, leaving most of the network access points unused. RG asked Mr. Orlando if any progress had been made assembling an advisory group from the RMHS administration to talk with the Committee. Mr. Orlando replied that he had asked the department heads to seek out volunteers (many teachers have expressed interest already) to compose a group with broad departmental representation. This group would most likely be ready to enter into a dialogue with the SBC in early fall of 2000. Reading School Building Committee 3 Meeting Minutes from May 16, 2000 - RG asked the members of the sub-committee reviewing the Strekalovsky and Hoit feasibility study if they would be ready soon with their report. A date of June 6, 2000 was offered as a probable date for their presentation to the full Committee. RG advised the Committee that they should be gathering their observations for discussions with S&H and that the Committee should plan to devise a working timetable to follow for the coming months. JS passed out copies of the minutes from the last meeting (4/13/00), asking for comments by 5/23/00 so that he could post them at the Reading Public Library. JL stated that it was his opinion that the Committee would inevitably need more professional help (i.e., architect/planner) in preparing any solution for presentation to Town Meeting given the (expected) large scope of the project. RG further commented that decisions such as that would have to be made in conjunction with the over-all strategy and timing, noting that any money for additional professional services would have to come from Town Meeting in the first place (in the fall). Revisions to the State's School Building Assistance program would also have a bearing on this question. Some general discussion occurred concerning summer schedules and the availability of Gene Raymond (S&H) for discussions. No determinations were made pending the report of the sub-committee and the formulation of a timetable. JS asked TT if any further discussion had occurred within the School Committee concerning the advancement of a renovation program for Killam Elementary School. TT responded that none had occurred. RG added that Town Meeting had accepted Killam as a capital exclusion over-ride in its latest adoption of the ten-year Capital Plan. A specific direction for advancing the project had not been formulated as yet, however, and should be made part of the SBC's over-all strategy. Mr. Orlando added some comments about how accreditation boards are subject to the discretion of the members that compose them. No other business being put forward, DL moved for adjournment which was seconded by PP. A vote was taken and it was unanimous in the affirmative. (Time: 9:35 p.m.) Minutes prepared and submitted by: Jeffrey W. Struble, Secretary Reading School Building Committee