Present: W. Morrison, C. Morrison, M. Morrison, T. Koenig (arrived 7:15 PM), K. Powell, (left 8 PM) School Board Liaison P. McGrath (arrived 7:10 PM), Mastricola Middle School Principal T. Levesque
Excused: S. Heinrich

W. Morrison called the meeting to order at 7:07 PM.

Middle School Space Issues

C. Morrison asked about student safety due to the large population in the school. T. Levesque told her that all students do not pass in the corridors at the same time.

W. Morrison asked T. Levesque if there had been any criteria for the space options he had looked at. T. Levesque replied that some of the criteria were to create more space using areas the building currently has, have limited impact on other programs, have minimal cost impact for a short term solution, meet fire codes. He noted that using the court yard is a limited option due to fire codes and that staff issues are his first priority. He said he was not against portables but they had been proposed and cut before. If he had portables, he would use them for Health classses.

W. Morrison reviewed the various space possibilities that the committee had come up with. Further discussion on these options included

1. Double Sessions - the possibility of an extended or a flex day. P. McGrath suggested potential flex time/staggered student flow options. However, he noted that these have significant implications especially financial ones. T. Koenig brought up the possibility of block scheduling in combination with a flex 6 day schedule to help accommodate the student needs. However, all members agreed that most of these changes would work better if the entire district was affected rather than one specific school and/or grade.
2. Portables - K. Powell wondered about housing the library in portables if portables were available. Most committee members felt that classroom use for a limited population rather than a library for the entire population was a better use for portables.
3. Maintenance - moving maintenance will result in one large classroom or basically 11/2 regular classrooms. There is a conceptual plan to build a maintenance facility by the road to the lower field at the high school. However, there is no funding for this in the current operating budget.
4. Use Other Available Space in the Community - The potential availability of Texas Instruments was brought up. While most of the committee felt this site was not a good choice for a new school, they felt it could and would be brought up as less expensive than building a new school. The committee strongly suggested to P. McGrath that the district architect should review this site to determine suitability and potential conversion/construction costs and have that information available as part of any new school presentation at the next school district meeting
5. Year Round and/or Weekend School: T. Levesque noted that this was very controversial and the community has resisted this in the past. He felt it should only be considered in an emergency when there were no other options available.
6. Use the APR/Stage/Gym for classrooms: T. Levesque noted that there might be some potential use for tutoring on the stage. However, he noted that this use would be impacted by various school wide activites as well as community activities such as voting. The possibility of voting at the high school was suggested as well.

C. Morrison asked about accomodations for SpEd. children so that they are not being taught or tutored in hallways. T. Levesque noted that there will be no more tutoring in the hallways per a recent report from the fire marshall. This report will also limit or eliminate things that are currently being stored in hallways. C. Morrison asked about the time it takes to evacuate the building. T. Levesque noted that, though longer than it used to take, the time to evacuate is still within acceptable safety time frames.

K. Powell asked for information on safety time frames. T. Levesque noted that the school sends reports on every fire drill to the fire department and have had no negative feedback. He noted that other safety drills might be a concern.

Committee members received a copy of the 2000 - 2001 Middle School Space Utilization Inventory. T. Levesque reviewed the maps with the committee and clarified several areas on the space utilization inventory that were not marked.

M. Morrison asked T. Levesque to identify specific space needs the middle school would have for 3 - 6 years. T. Levesque noted that increased space for both Consumer and Family Science (CAFS) and Technology Education (TechEd) would be needed plus space for storage, conferencing and teachers room(s.) He felt that 3 portables (one portable = two classrooms) plus small expansions into the courtyard for CAFS and TechEd would alleviate space issues until a new school was built. (K. Powell left at this time.) M. Morrison noted that portables would be a "last stand." They would be a temporary fix, but not a permanent solution to the space problem.

C. Morrison asked about Physical Education (PE). T. Levesque noted that students do not take PE each day or even each term in order to accomodate the student population.

Other student safety issues were brought up. T. Levesque noted that student violence and incidence of "outrageous behavior" have declined, but there is bullying.

M. Morrison suggested that the district should find a short term solution which has the least negative impact on the staff and the community. C. Morrison brought up negative community reaction which might occur if portables were placed at MMS across from the police station.

W. Morrison thanked T. Levesque for coming and meeting with the committee.

Master Plan Review Committee (MPRC) Meeting

Approval of Prior Minutes

1. Discussion of Proposed Middle School: K. Powell () brought up marketing the land as buildable.
2. Discussion of Current Middle School Space Issues:
   I. Teachers on Wheels: issues discussed included which subject areas would be put on wheels.
3. Public Participation:
   ... Mr. Rothhaus replied he had not. Members of the committee noted that many of Mr. Rothhaus' concerns are not new and, actually, were addressed in either the current high school renovation plan or in the proposed middle school plan.

W. Morrison noted that the PBC has put together a plan to meet school district space needs based on the recently completed Town Build-out Study. He indicated that one of the committee goals was to fine-tune that plan during the upcoming year. () C. Morrison noted...

On a motion from T. Koenig, seconded by C. Morrison, the committee unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:18 PM.

Last Updated: March 23, 2003 by Wayne Morrison