Falmouth School Board Minutes

Falmouth School Board
Ad Hoc Advisory Building Committee Minutes
Wednesday, November 15, 2006

1.         Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order by Mark Terison at 7:04 p.m.  Committee members in attendance were Karen Boffa, Gerry Davis, George Entwistle, Karen Farber, John Flaherty, Jean Gulliver, Dan O’Shea, Judy Schneider, Bonnie Taylor, Mark Terison, Penny Wheeler-Abbott, and Joe Wrobleski. 

2.         Approve Meeting Minutes of October 26, 2006
Mrs. Farber with a second from Dr. Entwistle moved the Committee approve the minutes of the October 26, 2006 meeting.  The motion passed 12 – 0.  

3.         Architect Ad/Meeting Process
Dan O’Shea distributed a copy of the ad that will be placed in the Kennebec Journal on November 19, and November 26, 2006.  This ad will also be placed in the Portland Press Herald on November 19, 2006.  The deadline for submissions by interested architects is December 8, 2006 at 1:00 p.m.  It was decided that the sub-committee will narrow down the choices to 3 (or the top choices).  A larger group will interview the finalists.  The sub-committee will present its findings and final recommendations at the next meeting on December 14, 2006.

There was a discussion regarding LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified and “green” schools.  It was decided that the ad would include experience with sustainable design, “green,” high performance schools.  The committee expressed an interest in touring a recently built school that incorporated “green” features and East End Elementary School in Portland was selected as an excellent option.  John Flaherty offered to contact the principal to set up a few tour times/dates for committee members.  Committee members will contact Thea Cerjanec in the Superintendent’s Office regarding which date they would like to tour the East End school.

4.         Configuration – District’s 5th Grade Philosophy
Dr. Entwistle informed the committee that the Leadership Council unanimously believe/agree that 5th grade should be in the elementary school.  He also mentioned that Jeff Rodman had spoken with current 5th grade teachers and they, too, agree with that philosophy.  It was stated that while the district does a really good job with the current 5th grade configuration, ideally, it belongs in the elementary school.  Also discussed was the possibility of two separate K - 5 “neighborhood schools,” and it was agreed that separate elementary schools were not desirable.  A question was asked about how K – 5 will be configured and the committee agreed that further review and discussion will need to take place before that decision is made.

5.         Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.

Handout – Architect Ad

Important Dates:
East End Elementary School Tour Dates:  December, 1, December 5, December 8 at 10:00 a.m.
Next Meeting:  Thursday, December 14, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. – Lunt School

Last Updated: 12/5/06

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