Merrimack School District
Planning & Building Committee
Minutes of the December 21, 1999 Meeting
Present: All members
S. Heinrich called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M.
Space Needs Preliminary Report
The committee reviewed a second draft of the space needs report. The committee focused on the
middle school needs. After much discussion, the committee determined the capacity of the middle
school program as the building is currently used is maximum acceptable: 1042 students and
recommended: 897 students. The capacity including the proposed three classroom "pod"
would be maximum acceptable: 1126 students and recommended: 969 students. There was a great deal
of discussion about middle school science curriculum. It was agreed that this issue could be
explored to be included in the final report issued by the committee. There was additional
discussion about what type of a building to suggest the school district build and how best to
include kindergarten. The committee agreed there is an immediate need for space for 500 - 800
students. The variance was due to difference between recommended capacity and maximum acceptable
capacity. Allowing space for future growth as well as future programming needs, the committee
agreed by consensus to recommend a building to accommodate 1,000 students or 40 classrooms. The
committee felt that the actual grade alignment of the district schools will require more study and
further input from administration which could be done after the presentation of the preliminary
report and a recommendation included in the final report issued by the committee.
Warrant Article for Surveys
On a motion from S. Heinrich, seconded by T. Koenig, the committee unanimously voted to reconsider
their vote on a surveying warrant article. On a motion from S. Heinrich, seconded by T. Koenig,
the committee unanimously voted to discuss the intent of the warrant article with the School Board
and not present a petitioned warrant article for surveys, if the School Board would include funds
for surveying either in the operating budget or as a separate article. On a motion from
S. Heinrich, seconded by T. Koenig, the committee voted unanimously to include in the preliminary
report a recommendation that the School Board establish a Capital Reserve Fund for construction,
survey and other related costs and start the fund off with $350,000.
Next Meeting
The committee decided to hold its next meeting on December 30, at the Merrimack Ambulance Garage at
7 P.M.
On a motion by T. Koenig, seconded by D. Miller, the committee unanimously voted to adjourn at
9 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Planning & Building Committee
Merrimack School District
Last Updated: July 16, 1999 by Wayne Morrison