August 22, 2006 Minutes
Present: Robert Aeschback, Marguerite Willis, John Taylor, Jennifer Williams, Chris Skelly, Donna Paley, David Greenburg, Bill Yager, Ned Wolf
Chair Bob Aeschback called the initial meeting of the Building Use Subcommittee (BUS) to order at 6:30pm. The meeting was held in the Central Office meeting room, at the Mohawk Middle School Wing.
School Committee Member Marguerite Willis was introduced as the Alternate Chair, and community member John Taylor will serve as the Vice Chair.
Proposed meeting dates and times were reviewed and agreed. The following meeting dates were set: August 28, September 5, and September 11. Meetings will begin at 6:30pm with the Mohawk Middle School providing the meeting location unless otherwise posted.
The BUS discussed the various documents and reports that had been prepared by previous groups. Copies of the reports should be made available to all members (preferably electronically to save paper and copying) and that request will be made through the Central Office.
The role of the BUS was discussed, as was the new ÒinterimÓ (short-term) process versus the original ÒstrategicÓ (long-term) proposal. The list of Òmajor optionsÓ outlined in the 8/14 Interim Planning Committee agenda were reviewed.
The group identified potential means of keeping as many existing buildings open through new revenue sources. Grant money, rents from new users, school choice income, and from sale of real estate were given as examples.
The group discussed the legal requirements, if any, of restricting access to school property relative to the option to lease out portions of buildings to non-District entities. It was agreed more clear advice was needed from Central Office.
The meeting then focused on how to develop and provide recommendations or direction for the Interim Planning Committee relative to building use and reuse. The group agreed to start by listing the pros and cons of each of the 7 current Òmajor optionsÓ, and from a facility management standpoint wherever possible. Such a list was generated for the ÒStrengthen Existing SchoolsÓ and the ÒSingle Regional ElementaryÓ options using a SWOT model.
The subcommittee agreed to continue this process at the next meeting for the remaining five options (as time permits). The listed options are: School Union in lieu of the current K-12 District, Consolidate to two or more elementary schools, Single K-12 School, Convert to K-8 model at the elementary schools, Alter the Middle School grouping and/or location.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
John E. Taylor
