Thursday, February 9, 2006
Wayland High School
Commons Conference Room
Attendees
HSBC members: Lea Anderson, Josh Bekenstein, Dianne Bladon, Steve Breit, Jim Howard, Mary Lentz, Joe Lewin
Absent: Brian Chase, Cindy Lombardo, Eric Sheffels, Steve Tise
Ex Officio members: Gary Burton, Fred Knight, Charlie Ruopp
HMFH team: Doug Sacra
Call to order – HSBC chairman Lea Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
HSBC Composition – Lea introduced the discussion by stating that the Wayland School Committee has asked for the perspective of HSBC members on the composition and size of the HSBC going forward. Each of the seven members present expressed willingness to continue to serve. Several members also stated that they would be willing to step down if the School Committee thinks it would be in the best interest of the town. Lea reported that three of the four absent members also want to continue to serve on the HSBC. Lea will notify the remaining member before reporting back to the School Committee.
Regarding the size of the committee, most felt that expanding the committee by a few members would be a good idea. Several, however, expressed concern at making the committee too large and unwieldy to function efficiently and that 11 members were enough. The consensus was to have no more than 15 members.
Comments were:
- The committee members held diverse opinions at the beginning of the process, but came to a unanimous conclusion in the end.
- The survey did not demonstrate a predominantly negative feeling about the HSBC by respondents.
- The challenge for the WSC is to determine what offers the best chance for the town to support a project.
- There would have been a better chance for approval if the project had not been rushed.
- There should be new members who are against the proposed project. This will be a very different approach from last time, when people were chosen for areas of relevant expertise.
– The School Committee should appoint a person from the high school neighborhood. The neighbors took a great interest in the project.
- There is no political expertise on the HSBC to know what is sellable to the town.
- There is really no expertise on any of the town boards regarding political assessment.
HSBC Charge – The HSBC discussed their thoughts on an amended charge. The group discussed the difficulty of making people aware of the conditions at the high school.
Comments were:
-A large number of survey respondents didnŐt see a need, so why would they spend any
money at all?
- Should there be a much greater communications function in the charge?
- We are not comfortable taking on a marketing role that is more than trying to get the facts out based on the work that the HSBC accomplishes.
- Would a project with a budget have a better chance?
- Allow time for a grass roots effort.
- We will not be alone this time. The state will be right there with us.
The group discussed the value of requesting funds in the range of $25,000 for FY07 to continue work on the scope and design of a project. Tasks that will be necessary before applying for MSBA approval when the moratorium is over in July of 2007 will be analyzing regulations, looking at alternatives, and updating cost estimates. The group decided to wait until the meeting with Katherine Craven on Feb. 24 to make a more informed decision on what funding, if any, to request in FY07. The HSBC will try to produce a time line of activity based on MSBA information available in the next few weeks. Lea reported that there is $17,500 left in the HSBC account. This will not be enough for schematics required for a Phase 2 application, should the MSBA approve a Phase 1 application.
Dr. Burton reported that the capital budget includes $50,000 to begin to prioritize building needs as cited by the NEASC and to fix the most critical needs on a short term basis.
There was consensus that rushing to update the charge before the regulations are known is ill-advised. The charge does not require town meeting approval. Any change to the HSBC composition, however, should be included in this yearŐs town meeting.
Suggestions from HSBC members on new elements of the charge were:
- Maximize state reimbursement.
- DonŐt box ourselves in; start with a budget.
- Construct a range of options from a minimum project the state will fund to the maximum project the state will fund.
- CanŐt throw a number out and know what it will buy.
- Prioritize code compliance first, academic spaces up to MSBA standards next, athletic and fine arts next.
Bob Gordon of the School Committee summarized the salient points he heard on changing the charge:
- Maximization of state reimbursement
- Diversity of options and price points ($10 million increments?)
- Educational prioritization
- Articulation of political sale
and he added:
- Addition of an ex officio member with expertise in private fundraising
Charlie Ruopp expressed his opinion that the state will help to make the case for the magnitude of the facility needs at Wayland High School when the needs assessment information is analyzed and the Facilities Condition Index for every school is published.
Next steps – Lea will attend the first public forum on the new regulations on Wed. Feb. 22 at 6:00 in the Gardner Auditorium at the State House.
Joy Buhler, Jeff Dieffenbach and Lea will attend a private meeting with Katherine Craven, Executive Director of MSBA on Friday, Feb. 24 at 2:00 p.m. at MSBA headquarters.
The HSBC agreed to meet in early March.
Motion – A motion was made by Josh Bekenstein and seconded by Mary Lentz to approve the minutes of HSBC meeting #35 held on Thursday, December 8, 2005.
Vote – The motion was approved unanimously (7 in favor, 0 opposed).
Observers: Sam DiSavino, Bob Gordon, Michael Short
Comments and questions from observers: There were no comments.
Adjournment – The HSBC adjourned at 9:35p.m.