BUILDING RENOVATIONS PROJECT COMMITTEE NOTES

Jr/Sr High School Library

March 2, 2006 (6:30 p.m.)

Board Members Present:   Rodney Figard, Pete Ritchey, Aaron Martin, Leroy Walls, Bernie Hoffnar, Ken Burkett, Dorothy Martin, Vivian Foster, and Roy McCabe.   Administration Present: Dr. Ronald McCahan, Rick Heath, Chris Cooper, Mike Panek, Lisa Rankin, and Jim Mitchell.   Committee Members Present: Robin Smith, Gary Morrow, Kevin Steele, Larry Williams, Mitchell Thomas, Ben Rogers, Kenneth Elder, John Husick, Adam Claycomb, Karen Haney, Amy Snyder, Cathy Harshbarger, Carol Black, Diane Kline, Jerry Shoemake, Corina Hoover, Deb Stepisianos, Mike Villa, Dave Thomas, Bonnie Jenkins, Jerry Miller, Brian May, and Tom McElwee.  

Press Present:   Jon Baughman – Broad Top Bulletin, and Ron Morgan – Daily News.   Also present were Les Bear and Bob Long.

Rodney Figard welcomed the group and reported a correction in the balance of the Capital Reserve Account that was provided at the February 9 meeting.   Lisa Rankin provided an explanation of the error and reported the balance to be $1.1M with an additional $325,710 in the 2005-06 budget to be transferred into the Capital Reserve Account by June 30, 2006.   Dr. McCahan presented the Administrative Report.   He reviewed a history of enrollments and provided additional information concerning a history of curriculum, etc.   He also reviewed dates that the buildings were constructed and updated.   He informed the group that his focus tonight will be on the 45 year old Jr/Sr High School improvements needed.   He further reviewed the systems at the high school that are inadequate.   Jim Mitchell provided additional information concerning ways he and his staff try to keep things working under the conditions that they are under (retrofitting mechanics because parts not being available due to the age of the equipment, etc.).   Dr. McCahan continued to review a list of building projects, including the possibility of completing several projects from a $2M loan.   He informed the group that the district has been researching the possibility of moving the administrative offices to the former Quality Manufacturing building and explained that additional uses are possible for the building, which includes a sports practice area, maintenance space, and storage.   He completed his review of administrative recommendations and explained the reason for these recommendations.   Skip Elder asked about the PDE enrollment projections – how accurate are they?   Dr. McCahan explained that projections are done each year by PDE.   There was a discussion concerning low and high costs as presented in the attachment.   Bob Long explained that these figures are estimates and the closer you define the scope of work, the more accurate the estimates are.   Bernie Hoffnar verified with Dr. McCahan that his recommendations are what he presented this evening.   Adam Claycomb asked if there’s an estimated operating cost in the purchase of the Chamber building.   Dr. McCahan reported that consideration has been given to additional costs, but informed the group that there are five new furnaces, and other upgrades in the building that won’t need to be addressed if purchased.   He also stated that the sports use of the building is not a practice gym, but another area for sports teams to utilize.   Roy McCabe asked what would become of the current district office if they move.   Dr. McCahan said that he anticipates turning it into a computer lab and relocating the Jr. High Guidance Counselor there in an attempt to align 7 ^th & 8 ^th grade students to the same area.   Jerry Miller asked the purpose of the committee – who would make the final decision on a building project.   Dr. McCahan said that the committee didn’t have a vote, but the purpose of the committee is to provide input and that input would be given serious consideration in the Board’s final decision.   Bernie Hoffnar and Rodney Figard both stated that they intend to utilize the committee’s recommendations while making a final decision on a project.   Kathy Hershberger questioned the estimates provided on the technology list, feeling that the estimates are low.   Robin Smith also raised a concern with the cost listed for computers because of upgrades needed with the project and asked if the costs are estimates or quotes.   Diane Kline stated that the prices listed are estimates from a company currently working with Chestnut Ridge.   Bernie Hoffnar said he would be interested to see if the committee would have any additions or suggestions on the administrative list.   Rodney Figard recommended that the committee get together when convenient for everyone on the committee to come up with a list of their suggestions and meet again on Thursday, March 9.   Deb Stepisianos asked why there’s no cafeteria improvements listed on the administrative recommendations, stating that the walk-in freezer and walk-in cooler specifically are aged and will need replaced.   Tom McElwee questioned the difference in cost to refinish the elementary gym floors compared to the high school gym floor.   Rodney Figard explained that the high school project included bleachers, electrical upgrade, and refinishing the floor with the elementary work being just refinishing the floor.   Lisa Rankin provided a financial report on millage.   Les Bear provided information on taking out a bank loan using the current Capital Reserve transfer dollars in the budget to make the payment.   Bob Long explained the process of the Resolution being presented to the Board tonight in Special Session.   Dr. McCahan further explained the reason for passing a Debt Resolution.   Robin Smith asked what the Board’s expectations are of the committee – how do they want the recommendations to be presented?   There was a discussion concerning this question with an emphasis on a recommendation being made on whether or not to proceed with a building project at all.   There was also discussion on the status of the request for a 20 year rule waiver.   Rodney Figard stated that he feels taking on a district-wide project at one time would be too much and recommended focusing on the high school while continuing elementary projects over the next several years with district dollars, with the possibility of elementary projects in the next few years.   The Board left to conduct a special meeting at 8:10 p.m. and the committee stayed in the library to discuss their next step.

 print 

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."