2014-11-13-PBC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

PBC when there is a project so that the PBC can make the decision on how much involvement the committee would like to have. Another concern is cost and schedule control issues. Motion to approve track changes and submit draft letter to Carl Valente, Town Manager (Dick, Eric) The Motion was approved 6-0 Pat will send the draft letter to Carl Valente and David Kanter reques Valente. 2. Ad Hoc School Master Planning Committee (AhSMPC) Update. Jon Himmel indicated that the AhSMPC members include members of the PBC, School Committee, Superintendent of Public Schools, Director of Public Facilities, Board of Selectmen (BOS) and the Advisory Committee. Pat questioned whether there was a quorum of the AhSMPC. There was a quorum present so Judy Crocker, AhSMPC Member left the room. Jon shared that the AhSMPC met before the School Committee placing standard modulars at three elementary schools. The issue before the PBC tonight is the need for eight (8) classrooms at the elementary level, ten (10) classrooms at the Middle School and seven (7) classrooms at the High School in order to address the needs as described by the Enrollment Working Group (EWG). Jon also shared that the PBC is not interested in making School Committee policy but is concerned by how the modulars get built out and whether there will be a need for swing space to have this happen. The PBC should make sure the budgets are set appropriately and adhered to. The School Committee would like to lease temporary modulars at the Bowman, Bridge and Fiske Elementary Schools. The Hastings Elementary School overcrowding is also an issue and the current, prevalent thinking is to replace that school. Pat shared that the vote by the School Committee to put standard modulars at three (3) elementary schools has accelerated the need for the Master Plan to address the elementary schools now. Pat would like the PBC to discuss the SMMA work and focus on elementary schools, then middle schools, especially if there is a Special Town Meeting on January 21, 2015; and if accepted, the elementary schools could be broken into two blocks (including Hastings). Pat believes that it is important to understand how the Hasting students can stay in the school during construction. The members engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding the long and short-term solutions with respect to placing standard modulars at the elementary schools. Long-term solutions include the possibility of placing permanent pre-fabs and/or a new wing added onto the schools. Short-term solutions placing leased temporary standard modulars to address the immediate need of enrollment at the elementary school level. Further discussion included (i) whether the consultant has completed his report and recommendation, (ii) what was the basis of the School Committee wanting to do something without the consultant full recommendations, (iii) what was the concern of the School Committee if they did not act right away; (iv) should the PBC recommend installing two essentially permanent standard modular classrooms in the fall of 2015 without knowing what the need will be in 2016 and 2017; (v) what are the other solutions; (vi) what happens at Diamond Middle School, (vii) was the discussion the opinion that the PBC wanted to send to BOSand what the PBC believe what needs are and that there be an appropriate process for the School Committee to make an appropriate decision and the PBC is not convinced that the timing is correct; (ix) what would be the class size at Fiske if no modular were placed; (x) is anyone else making a presentation to the BOS; (xi) what is PBC Meeting Minutes 111314 Page 2