Allenstown Schools

Space Needs Committee Minutes

December 6, 2005

Allenstown Elementary School

 

 

Karen LaPlume, Secretary called the meeting to order at 6:36pm in the Allenstown Elementary Library.

 

The following members were in attendance:

 

Karen LaPlume, Secretary

Tom Irzyk

Dennis Carmichael

Sandra McKenney

Larry Anderson

Betsy Cox

Terri Kenney

 

Excused: Capt. Sean Mulholland, Vice Chairman; Al Paradise; Ann Viar; Donald M. Chaput; Stedman Holton;

 

Tom Irzyk opened the meeting with a discussion regarding the resignation of Ben Fontaine as Chair. Tom proposed that we make a motion to appoint the Vice Chairman, Capt. Sean Mullholland as Chairman of the committee and elect a new Vice Chair. Sandy suggested we wait until the entire group was present.

 

Tom made the motion to appoint Sean as Chairman of the Space Needs Committee. Larry Anderson seconded. All in favor.

 

The Committee agreed to wait until the next meeting to appoint a Vice Chair.

 

Karen asked for a motion to accept the minutes of the November 9^th meeting. Sandy made the motion, Larry asked to adjust the minutes to reflect he made a motion to recommend Plan A and that Tom had seconded it.

 

Tom made the motion to accept the minutes as amended. Dennis seconded the motion. All in favor.

 

Larry asked Betsy how frequently the ARD gym was used as an intro into whether the gym could possibly be eliminated and made into classrooms. Betsy explained that it is not used during the first hour and last 45 minutes of each school day but is used consistently through the remainder of the day. She explained that the gym at AES is used ALL day long; before school breakfast program, am gym, lunches, pm gym and after school program. Dennis pointed out that the ARD gym section of the building is not configured efficiently. Larry asked whether an addition could be added on the Town Hall side of the school. Betsy noted that the Department of Education Office would need to grant an exception for a waiver to modify the ARD School.

 

The committee brainstormed on various options including; questioning what the church’s plan was for the old convent, the possibility was discussed of purchasing the church building along with the house adjacent to the school playground, which is currently on the market. These purchases could provide the middle school with an entire “block” on School Street which would abut the Town Hall. It was noted that the state requires a minimum of 8 acres for a middle school; ARD currently sits on 3 acres. Larry questioned the process to follow in order to pursue a waiver with the DEO. Tom explained that the first step would be to complete an engineering study along with an architectural plan. Tom noted that this type of plan could be pulled together over the summer for the committee to review in the fall of 2006. The committee requested that costs be included in this study. The committee asked that the School Board/SAU checking to the status of the convent.

 

Karen questioned what the costs associated with the engineering study would be and where those funds would come from. Tom was not sure of the costs of the study but will ask the SAU to inquire on the costs for an engineering study for ARD. As well, he would discuss with the School Board the possibility of using any budget surplus to cover those costs.

 

Larry questioned several safety/repair items at ARD which he witnessed while on a tour of the building and why they had not been included in the proposed budget. Tom noted that several of the items noted would possibly come from any surplus in the 2005/2006 budget at the end of this school year. Other items would be best addressed after the engineering study is complete.

 

The discussion turned back to the AES addition and ideas on how to market the bond prior to the March 2006 elections. Tom recommended the committee develop a Marketing Plan to include door to door education. Sandy mentioned the possibility of a ½ program on Cable TV. It was estimated that there are 2,500 homes in Allenstown – the number of informational materials we would need. Dennis stressed that the Need for an addition be conveyed in these marketing materials. Betsy offered to have an exploratory with digital photography where the ARD students could photograph the kids in the hall, emphasizing the need for more space. Tom will follow up with the SAUs on finding other NH SAU who have been faced with a similar project and how they effectively gained the voters approval.

 

The next meeting was set for Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at 6:30pm at AES. At that meeting we will elect a Vice Chair and discuss a Marketing Plan.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:36pm.