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Merrimack School District
Planning & Building Committee

Minutes of the April 22, 2002 Meeting






Present: S. Heinrich, C. Morrison, W. Morrison, M. Morrison, T. Koenig and K. Powell (arrived during the meeting)

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM by W. Morrison.

Reorganization

S. Heinrich made a motion, seconded by C. Morrison for the current officers to continue in their respective positions for another year. The vote was unanimous.

Discussion of the School District Meeting Voting

W. Morrison noted that the new middle school had again failed and there had been a 47% voter turnout. T. Koenig mentioned that the "Vote No" signs might have had an effect and that they did not appear until after "Vote Yes" signs had been put out. The committee noted that going to the various town committees (Selectmen, Conservation, Zoning and Planning Board) was a good thing.

Middle School Space Usage Options

W. Morrison asked the committee to brainstorm ideas for short term space usage solutions. He asked for no comment on the ideas at first. The following were suggested:

  1. Classes in the All Purpose Room
  2. Classes in the Smith Gym
  3. Modular Classrooms in the Courtyard or on the Ball Fields
  4. Reclaiming the Maintenance Department space
  5. Renting space
  6. Double sessions of current middle school population
  7. Double sessions with grades 5 & 6 together and grades 7 & 8 together at middle school.
  8. Year round school.
  9. Building classroom space in the courtyard
A discussion of the various ideas ensued. K. Powell noted that whatever might be utilized should not create a situation where the students education will suffer. She asked if there were any temporary solutions that might affect non-required school areas. Concerns regarding the safety and cost issues were raised for several of the ideas. (Modular classrooms, renting space, building in the courtyard, year round school and double sessions) There were also concerns about where the district would rent space and what they would use any rented space for.

Liaison to the Merrimack Library Building Committee

C. Morrison made a motion, seconded by W. Morrison and T. Koenig, to appoint K. Powell the liaison and S. Heinrich the alternate to the Merrimack Library Building Committee.

Upcoming Business

W. Morrison noted some of the issues that would be coming up over the next year: Kindergarten Grant, Traffic and Parking, Review of Goals and Objectives and Meeting with Technology Committee sometime in October or November.

By consensus, the Committee decided to meet on the second and fourth Mondays of the month, with the 4th Monday being the alternate meeting date.

On a motion from T. Koenig and S. Heinrich, seconded by M. Morrison, the committee voted to adjourn at 8:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Planning & Building Committee
Merrimack School District

Last Updated: April 1, 2003 by Wayne Morrison