High School Building Committee (HSBC) Meeting #45 Minutes

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Wayland High School

Language Building L-9

 

Attendees

HSBC members:  Lea Anderson, Josh Bekenstein, Dianne Bladon, Brian Chase, Fred Knight, David Lash, Joe Lewin, Eric Sheffels, Jennifer Steel, Karen Talentino

Absent: Steve Breit, Jim Howard, Mary Lentz, Cindy Lombardo, Steve Tise

Ex Officio members: Gary Burton, Bob Gordon

 

Call to order – HSBC Chairman, Lea Anderson, called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m.

 

Review of Draft Presentation – The group reviewed a 10 minute presentation, “Update on Wayland High School”, developed by Dianne and Lea.  The HSBC plans to use the presentation in small group meetings with community organizations as a way to engage a broad range of Wayland citizens in addressing the high school facility problems.

 

Suggested improvements to the presentation were:

- Stress the importance of a modern high school in the education of the children of Wayland and as a community asset.

            - Be clear about the nature of the work done in 1989-92 at WHS.

            - Stress the effect that a failing facility has on the educational program.

- Be clear about the reluctance to spend money on the facility in the short term, when there is a long term solution.

- Incorporate pictures of other high schools in a side-by-side look with WHS pictures.

- Simplify the slide on the MSBA process.

- Make the point that we are back again because there is now a “game” to enter.  Last time we tried to anticipate the game.  This time the state is back and we are trying to be among the first to secure funding.

- The reason we are requesting funds is to provide a safe environment for Wayland children and to preserve the town’s most valuable asset.

 

Dianne will edit the presentation prior to the Loker meeting next week.

 

Communications Update – Lea reviewed the presentation schedule.

 

            Meeting                                                                       HSBC Presenter and others

            Loker PTO Family Night – Jan. 25, 6:30 pm               Mary Lentz  with Brian Chase

            Claypit Hill PTO Coffee – Feb. 2, 8:00 am                  Lea Anderson with Dianne Bladon

            Happy Hollow PTO – Feb. 13, 6:30 pm                                  Lea with Brian, Karen, Jennifer

            WCPA – date and time to be determined

 

HSBC members will be assigned community organizations to contact and visit.  It was suggested that we invite State Senator Scott Brown and State Representative Tom Conroy to an HSBC meeting.

 

A regular schedule of two high school tours a month will be developed and communicated at the presentations.  The HSBC will participate in the School Committee Budget Hearing in April.

 

The group discussed the poor quality of visual presentations at Town Meeting.

 

Goals Review – Lea asked the group to review the goal setting of 2004 and the revised charge which states: “By way of general direction, the School Committee places highest priority on health and safety code compliance, and on providing for fully adequate and functional core academic spaces. Secondary priority attaches to the modernization of non-core academic spaces, common spaces and spaces for extracurricular activities.”  These goals will inform the conversation on design approaches on Feb. 1.

 

Next steps – The group will meet on Feb. 1 when Jeff Dieffenbach of the Wayland School Committee will review enrollment projections.   The HSBC will strategize on design approaches.

 

Action items:

 

- Dianne will revise the presentation.

- Steve B. will look at towns that have submitted Statements of Interest (ongoing).

- HSBC members will think about design approaches in preparation for discussion.

- Lea will develop assignments for contacting community organizations.

 

Motion – A motion was made by Josh Bekenstein and seconded by Joe Lewin to approve the minutes of HSBC meeting #44 held on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007.

 

Vote – The motion was approved unanimously - 10 in favor, 0 opposed.

 

Comments and questions from observers: There were no comments.

 

Adjournment – The HSBC adjourned at 9:2250 p.m.

 

Observers:  Janet Correia, Molly Upton