BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING NOTES

March 16, 2006

The Tussey Mountain School Board of Education and the Tussey Mountain Building Renovations Advisory Committee met in the High School Library at 6:00 p.m. on March 16, 2006 .   Board Directors present were Dorothy Martin , Rodney Figard , Pete Ritchey , Leroy Walls , Bernie Hoffnar , and Aaron Martin .   Administration present was Dr. Ronald McCahan, Rick Heath, Jim Mitchell, Joni Rankin, Webmaster, and Lisa Rankin, Board Secretary.   Committee members present were Robin Smith, Kevin Steele , Larry Williams, Ben Rogers, Kenneth Elder , John Husick, Jerry Miller, Brian May, Adam Claycomb, Cathy Harshbarger, Diane Kline, Mike Villa, Jerry Shoemake, Bonnie Jenkins, Amy Snyder, Carol Black, Mike Angelo, Karen and Anna Haney, and Deb Stepisianos .   Also present were Les Bair, financial consultant from Arthurs LeStrange, Scott Vencil , architect from Crabtree & Rohrbaugh Firm, and Dick McClure.

The meeting began at 6:15 p.m. with Ken (Skip) Elder updating the group what has happened since the last meeting and provided an agenda from their March 7 meeting.   He said that they voted to continue with a building project and said they considered eleven options from the architect.   They considered what was best for the school district and provided additional information about how their recommendations were formed.   He proceeded to report their recommendation, which they call Option 12 as follows:

-                      Building a new high school

-                      Move the students into the new high school

-                      Renovate the current high school into a central elementary

-                      Move the elementary students into the newly renovated central elementary

-                      Close the current elementary buildings, possibly using one of the buildings to house the Administrative office, storage, gymnasium, etc.

The committee is not in favor of purchasing the former Quality building because they feel it would not be needed with Option 12, which they consider a long term plan.   They are aware that this could result in an emotional response from the community, which they have considered, as well as financial views.   They feel they are “forward thinking” to place the district in the 21 ^st century.   There was discussion concerning the vote of the committee being unanimous and it was reported that all members who voted were in agreement except three, which were marginal.   Robin Smith provided a handout of a list of pros and cons that the committee created and reviewed each item.   There was also discussion concerning how the grade levels would be divided with the new buildings.   There was a discussion concerning property values being affected by a building project.   Skip said that they committee had discussion the histories of the elementary schools, but wanted to move into the 21 ^st century by combining all three elementary buildings into one so that all students would be given the same opportunities and be offered the same activities.   There was a discussion concerning the disposition of the current elementary building, with the possibility of them becoming a community center.   Bernie Hoffnar made several points about some of the pros listed.   Rodney Figard said that the committee has definitely given the Board something to think about and said that he would like the Board to get together and state what their desires are for a building project.   A meeting was scheduled for this discussion for March 23, 2006 after the scheduled Policy & Curriculum Committee at 6:30 p.m.   He asked Scott Vencil to address the space suggested for a new building.   Scott said this option was briefly considered but not provided due to declining enrollment and the capacity of the current high school.   He provided additional details about this option, including land availability and PDE’s “rule of thumb” recommendations (1 acre for each 100 students plus 35 acres).   He said that it would need to be analyzed.   Skip Elder said that the committee has concerns about PDE’s enrollment projections being accurate and the possibility of completing a building project that is short of the required capacity that may result in an addition in the future.   Scott said that, in a PlanCon process, you want to plan for your current enrollment plus 10%.   There was a discussion concerning an estimated cost per square foot to build a new building and further discussion of various options.   Another meeting was scheduled between the Board and the committee for April 3, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. in the High School library.   The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.  

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MISSION STATEMENT

“The continuing mission of the Tussey Mountain School District

 is to provide a safe, stimulating, and challenging environment where every person has an

equal opportunity to attain the knowledge and skills necessary to become

lifelong learners who contribute positively to society."