Present: All Members and several members of the public
S. Heinrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.
S. Heinrich announced that work on both paving and athletic fields has been suspended until spring.
S. Heinrich indicated his concern for the numerous redundancies Lucent has built into the proposed networking plan. He also questioned the cost and whether all items in the plan were needed. He wondered what the overall plan and intention of the Technology Committee was.
A member of the public, Ed Danielson, commented that the plan provides an excellent network but he felt it was way over-subscribed. He asked what applications were planned.
W. Morrison answered that the some intended uses were video conferencing, shared programs and inter-department communication/cooperation.
General discussion ensued. Issues raised included paying for wiring, what type of wiring would be sufficient, cable ports in each classroom, potential donations of equipment and time, the design capability and co-aux cable. It was suggested that the district should look mid-price range. Wiring and cabling variations were discussed.
A main issue was the need for a definitive plan for the district. There needs to be cooperation and better communication between Heron and the schools to determine what the district has, what the district needs and who will do what when.
A member of the cable committee, Craig Showers, told the committee that the new cable contract calls for cable in each classroom in the district with the cost split between Heron and the town. He noted that the current time table calls one year before the I Net will be up and operational. He said the district is supposed to provide a diagram of where each cable hook-up will be in each classroom.
A consensus was reached:
Plan A: Cable and 2 CAT 5 with Coax for all schools.
Plan B: Cable and 2 CAT 5 with Coax for the Hub only and something less for other schools.
Plan C: No CAT 5 at all.
The plan recommended to school board by the high school space needs committee and going forward to the voters will be a three story building with partial basement, 20 classrooms, special roof re-enforcement for third story connection, main offices in area of current E-112, additional space for P.E., and the entire building sprinkled. The proposal had 100% approval of the space needs committee. The project is eligible for 30% building aid. The contract manager will be Hutter Construction.
It was unanimously voted on a motion from D. Miller, seconded
by T. Koenig, to endorse
the building proposal.
S. Heinrich reported that the school district voted to put warrant articles for $75,000 or 33% of FY 98-99 budget surplus (if any) into the roof and pavement capital reserve funds. They will also request $75,000 or 33% of budget surplus for the sewer capital reserve fund.
S. Heinrich also reported that the School Board will not be proposing funding for the survey the PBC requested. This led to a discussion among committee members over whether to petition a warrant article for this amount or to try to convince the School Board to find funds within the budget to cover a survey. W. Morrison felt that the PBC had decided that a survey was vital to completing the task of determining feasibility of kindergarten. He indicated that if the School Board still wants the committee to research kindergarten plans, then they must fund a survey. M. Morrison noted that the time line for increased state aid for the institution of local kindergarten is running out. D. Miller would like to see the survey completed regardless of the kindergarten issue.
S. Heinrich made a motion to table discussion on this item until the next meeting on December 22. The motion was seconded by M. Morrison and the vote was unanimous.
The next meeting will be on December 22, 1998 at 7:30 P.M. Cable & Network and Funding for a survey will be the main issues of discussion. On a motion from S. Heinrich, seconded by M. Morrison, the committee unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Planning & Building Committee
Merrimack School District
Last Updated: June 27, 1999 by Wayne Morrison