High School Building Committee (HSBC) Meeting #39 Minutes

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Wayland Town Building

School Committee Conference Room

 

Attendees

HSBC members: Lea Anderson, Josh Bekenstein, Dianne Bladon, Steve Breit, Brian Chase, Mary Lentz, Jim Howard, Joe Lewin, Eric Sheffels

HSBC appointees: Fred Knight, David Lash, Jennifer Steel, Karen Talentino

Absent: Cindy Lombardo, Steve Tise

Ex Officio members: Gary Burton, Bob Gordon, Charlie Ruopp

HMFH: George Metzger

 

Call to order – HSBC Chairman, Lea Anderson, called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.

 

Introduction of New Members – Lea introduced and welcomed the four newly appointed members of the HSBC. They are Fred Knight, David Lash, Jennifer Steel, and Karen Talentino. Lea reviewed the process of selecting new members as authorized by Annual Town Meeting last spring. Fourteen people initially applied for the four slots, but two withdrew. The appointing sub-committee, composed of two members of the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and School Committee, interviewed all twelve applicants. Applicants were all skilled, capable, and ready to work on finding a solution to the high school facility issues. Lea reminded the HSBC that several members had expressed interest in adding people who had serious reservations about the high school project. She reported that no citizens with strong negative views applied, so asked the four new members to “hold the HSBC’s feet to the fire” in challenging assumptions and choices.

 

Update on MSBA – MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) has issued final regulations that have now been approved by the Secretary of State. Changes were made to the draft regulations based on input that the MSBA received at hearings. Some specific changes to the draft regulations are:

- Time for getting local approval after the MSBA approves a project has been extended from 90 days to 120 days.

- Statement of Interest (SOI) is now a pre-application which allows the MSBA to review SOIs prior to a formal application.

- Feasibility Study designer will now be procured by the local community which will share the cost with the MSBA.

- Designer selection will now be subject to MSBA Designer Selection Panel approval. Standard contracts will be required. (George Metzger of HMFH said that there is lack of clarity on Designer Selection.)

- The MSBA will recommend, not require, membership for School Building Committees. Final MSBA approval of the committee is still required.

 

Lea reported that Statement of Interest for Wayland High School was submitted in August. It is one of 90 SOIs submitted to the MSBA.

 

George reported that the regulations lay out a square footage guideline that is graduated in accordance with enrollment. The guideline for a school of 1000 students (the assumption used in the HSBC study) is 185,000 sq. ft. The Preliminary Design Proposal was for a 234,000 square foot facility, 40,000 sq. ft. of which was the field house. The regulations appear to be close to the size proposed excluding the field house.

 

Enrollment will be determined by the MSBA. The SOI used the enrollment figures from NESDEC (New England School Development Council). The MSBA will use enrollment, square foot per student, and up-

 

to-date cost per square foot numbers to determine a budget for building projects.

 

The group discussed the difficulty in understanding the MSBA process with new terms for various phases of application (now 6 through local voter approval). None of the templates that the MSBA refers to are available yet. There is lack of clarity about the timing of the Feasibility Study.

 

George suggested that the MSBA might establish test cases for the new process and that Wayland might consider approaching the MSBA on this point. He also suggested that the HSBC make a schedule lining up each step of the process and who is required to approve.

 

Eric Sheffels suggested that we figure out how to use professional help with the remaining funds estimated at $17,000 (since confirmed at $17,514.92). He noted that our professionals continue to come to meetings even though they are no longer being paid. We should define a scope of work. Concern was raised about the limits imposed on spending any additional funds, but it was recalled that the limit was set until final regulations were released. Final regulations have been released, so funds may be spent.

 

Supplemental Charge – The HSBC reviewed the Supplemental Charge to the High School Building Committee, which was approved by the Wayland School Committee last spring. The charge builds on the original charge to the HSBC presented in January 2004. The HSBC agreed to:

 

            - Review the 1990 renovation, 2002 Feasibility Study, 2003 HSSC Report in one meeting.

- Review the 2004 Preliminary Design Report and HSBC Report over multiple meetings delving into assumptions, education program, options.

- Look at where we ended up through new perspectives of four new members.

- Look carefully at survey results.

- Analyze regulations.

- Talk to WPSF (Wayland Public Schools Foundation) about capital fund raising.

 

The group discussed communications. Comments were:

            - HSBC is constrained in the advocacy area.

            - The override organization was very effective at the grass roots level.

            - Make it easy for people to get information.

            - Do a better job of communicating decision-making process.

            - Analyze what we did and what we should do next time.

            - 15 people on the HSBC should talk one-on-one with people in town.

            - Communicate earlier.

 

Review of WHS Repairs - Gary Burton reported on the short term repairs that were done this past summer with the funds appropriated at Annual Town Meeting. He worked with Dick Amster of Turner in defining a priority list of work in the areas of safety and accessibility. He mentioned the need to cordon off an area under the overhang outside the commons building where a piece of concrete fell off. He said that the School Committee is grappling with not wanting to spend substantial amounts of money if a major building project is on the horizon. He also reported that the Division of Occupational Safety (DOS) visited Wayland High School in response to an anonymous call about conditions especially in the science classrooms. Dr. Burton will respond to DOS.

 

Next steps – The group decided to meet every two to three weeks to gain some momentum as we address the charge. Meetings are scheduled for Oct. 26, Nov. 16, Nov. 30, and Dec. 14. These are all Thursday nights.

A new list serve will be established with Jean Tower’s help.

 

 

 

Action items for Oct. 26

            - Fred will present report on 1990 renovation and Feasibility Study with help from Cindy.

            - Lea will present HSSC report with help from other HSSC participants.

            - Eric and Joe will propose a scope of work for HMFH and Turner considering available funds.

            - Fred will post report on 1990 renovation.

            - All will read 1990 report, Feasibility Study report and HSSC report.

            - New members will get sworn in by Town Clerk.

           

 

Motion – A motion was made by Josh Bekenstein and seconded by Jim Howard to approve the minutes of HSBC meeting #38 held on Thursday, May 11, 2006.

 

Vote – The motion was approved unanimously (9 in favor, 0 opposed).

 

Comments and questions from observers: There were no comments.

 

Motion – A motion was made by Josh Bekenstein and seconded by Jim Howard to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 pm.

 

Vote – The motion was approved unanimously (9 in favor, 0 opposed).

Adjournment – The HSBC adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

 

 

Observers: Pat Abramson, Janet Correia, Sam DiSavino, Barb Fletcher, Steve Goldstein, Louis Jurist, Gabriel Leiner, Michael Short, Lisa Valone