Minutes from the

Facilities and Capital Improvement Committee meeting

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Present: Jim Hull, Roland Doig, Mark Bordeau, John Gage, Ralph Schuldt, Dr. Renee Stalma, Mary Rader, Don Gerlach, Julia Bowers, Janice Young, Jim Marean, Joe Kolanda, Gerardo Tagliaferri, Christine Miller; BCK representatives Rosanne Groff, Bob Costello, Ed Bernhauer.

* Mr. Marean welcomes those present, copies of agendas are distributed along with minutes from February 11, 2008 meeting. Minutes were reviewed and accepted.
* Mr. Tagliaferri introduces Ralph Schuldt, SV's new Director of Facilities.
* Mr. Costello, Mrs. Groff and Mr. Bernhauer present Elementary Schools Programming Review, based upon visits to Donnelly and Brookside, meetings with building teams and questionnaires filled out by staff regarding building needs/wants/wishes.
* BCK distributes presentation handouts outlining information regarding storage, infrastructure, classrooms, special education, each grade level BK-5, OT/PT, cafeterias, gymnasiums, libraries, music and art rooms, computer labs, faculty areas, main offices, health offices, circulation and playgrounds.
* There is discussion regarding enrollment projections, current space capacity and building populations.
* BCK says Donnelly and Brookside are currently at capacity – all space is being used. There is no way to find more space within current building footprints – addressing space concerns would require additions. Space concerns identified are not unique to SV.
* Discussion ensued regarding additions to building(s), shifting students, aid and a combined building.
* Discussion on next step: this is last piece of information FAC has asked BCK to provide – now time to crunch the numbers. Committee must decide priorities and scope of project.
* BCK says cost magnitude multiplier has risen from 1.6% in November to 1.8% now. BCK cites unprecedented increases in cost of steel and copper. New (2008) bottom line for raw project work: $27.55 million – this would need to be reduced, given multiplier, to stay within debt limit.
* Discussion on how capital projects are bid and awarded.
* Discussion on prioritizing project needs – ranking items and forming sub-groups to do the legwork and report to larger committee and to the board of education. Chairs will meet with district administrators and BCK representatives to define process and plan of action.
* Committee's goal is to make project recommendation to board of education by the end of the school year for consideration of a November/December referendum.

Next meeting: April 21, 2008, 7:00 p.m., SV High School Library.