Merrimack School District
Planning & Building Committee
Minutes of the April 3, 2001 Meeting
Present: T. Koenig, C. Morrison, K. Powell, W. Morrison, M. Morrison and School Board liaison P. McGrath
(arrived late)
Excused: S. Heinrich
W. Morrison called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. K. Powell was sworn in and welcomed as a member of the committee.
Approval of Minutes
On a motion from T. Koenig, seconded by C. Morrison, the minutes of February 8, 2001 were accepted with three grammatical
changes on a vote of 2 - 0 - 2.
Middle School Alternatives
W. Morrison reported to the committee that the incoming 6th grade at the middle school in September may be slightly smaller
than the outgoing 8th grade. He wanted to know if the committee wanted to look at the current space problems at the middle
school and offer suggestions on ways to deal with the problems until a permanent solution, i.e. new middle school, is built.
M. Morrison arrived during this discussion. P. McGrath reported that the School Board is not giving the PBC a specific
charge dealing with either the current or the new middle school at this time. C. Morrison told the committee that she would
like to come up with a list of suggestions. M. Morrison said he was concerned that, since the space can't be altered,
any suggestion might affect curriculum which he felt was not part of the PBC's job. W. Morrison spoke about the resources
that are available to the committee. T. Koenig noted that the committee can also request and receive administrative input.
C. Morrison brought up the space that the Maintenance Department is currently using in the middle school. M. Morrison said
that, if the committee wanted to look at current middle school space usage, he felt there should be a clear purpose and a
defined focus with limits. P. McGrath noted that the School Board and the Administration certainly appreciated the data in
the PBC report that quantified the need for a middle school. He suggested that the PBC brainstorm solutions for space use
and indicate the various impacts of each solution.
C. Morrison made a motion to study the space need at Mastricola Middle School and offer the administration several interim
solutions which could be in place by September, including pros and cons of each option, to deal with the space issues until
such time as additional classroom space is constructed. The motion was seconded by K. Powell. The motion passed unanimously.
Reorganization
M. Morrison nominated W. Morrison as Chair of the committee. T. Koenig made a motion, seconded by C. Morrison, that the
clerk cast one vote for W. Morrison as chair. The vote was unanimous.
W. Morrison nominated S. Heinrich as Vice Chair of the committee. T. Koenig made a motion, seconded by M. Morrison, that the
clerk cast one vote for S. Heinrich as vice chair. The vote was unanimous.
T. Koenig nominated C. Morrison as Secretary of the committee. T. Koenig made a motion, seconded by M. Morrison, that the
clerk cast one vote for C. Morrison as secretary. The vote was unanimous.
The list of committee members addresses and e-mails was updated and each member will be provided with a copy.
Discussion of Goals and Objectives
T. Koenig asked that the committee review and revise the parking plan that was presented to the School Board three years ago.
He is especially concerned about safety at Thorntons Ferry and would like this goal to be a priority. C. Morrison suggested
that the goal regarding Technology should read "implement" rather than "develop" a technology plan. P. McGrath suggested
that the committee might want to consider focusing on at the needs and location of the Maintenance Department. C. Morrison
wants to find 6 - 8 classrooms for use at the middle school to ensure maximum educational benefit for all students.
K. Powell told the committee about a letter to the editor she is considering writing regarding the space issues in the
schools. She said people are always suggesting that school be run like a business, so she is wondering what would happen to
businesses if they were run the way our schools are run. Further, she suggested that the committee consider adding a goal of
visiting area schools to see how they utilize space as well as visit schools that have had a recent successful building
proposal. W. Morrison requested committee members contact the clerk if there were any suggestions: corrections, additions or
deletions to the list of goals and objectives from 1999. He indicated that the committee would vote to approve a final
version at the next meeting.
Meeting Schedule for 2001-2002
By consensus, the committee decided to change their meeting nights to the 2nd Thursday and the 4th Wednesday, with the 2nd
Thursday being the primary meeting night. The committee also decided to start meetings at 7 PM. Further, due to April
vacation, the committee set April 18th as their next meeting date. T. Koenig suggested that the committee might be able to
meet at Town Hall during the summer.
On a motion from M. Morrison, seconded by T. Koenig, the committee voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Planning & Building Committee
Merrimack School District
Last Updated: January 20, 2003 by Wayne Morrison