001Okay, thank you so much. >> Good evening and welcome to the Norark Public Schools facilities committee meeting. Today is December 9th, Tuesday, December 9th, and the time is currently 5:05 p.m. This evening, I am joined by fellow chair members Diana Karpio and Ashley Gulio, as well as Dr. Alexander Estraa, members of her cabinet, including Sandra Fyes, as well as members of the facilities team. To get us started this evening, I would like to ask for an approval of the minutes from our last meeting, which was October 22nd. Were there any edits? Um, I did actually see one which was uh the spelling of the word Marramac was misspelled as Naomi. Um, so on the record, we would like to have that um resolved. I will now move the meeting over for review and possible actions
002to Senator Fis. Thank you. And good evening everybody. And um for our possible actions, I'm going to have Bill Hodell review what we need from the committee. >> Uh thank you everyone. And um what I have here is two educational specifications that need to be approved uh because I'm doing two grant projects uh very much like I've done the past couple of years. Uh the first one will be an asbestous abatement flooring of the flooring at Nathan Hale and that requires an educational spec which is in front of you today that will be presented when we file the application um first week of uh January. The second job is the underground oil storage tank and it's coming to the end. We're not doing many more of these. This should be the last one for quite
003a while. uh that too is a grant project that will be uh 60% reimbursement and requires an edspec as well. So these two projects will be submitted to the state the first week in January of 2026 and without these uh approved we cannot move forward with the project. Thank you. >> Thank you Bill. >> Any questions for Mr. All right. And can I get a motion to approve both of these educational specifications? >> Motion back. >> Great. Thank you. These are both approved. >> All right. And do we want to do the construction updates and then >> construction? >> Good evening. Um this Alan Ro um John speaking construction update. Um we typically do this every month do it for for the uh facility committee. Uh I don't think do we have a package here
004this week? No. Okay. Well, just speaking we are we're moving along pretty well in all high school projects. Um and I think one of the thing I'm looking to do is that um as far as members because it's such a long project and we changing after election we're changing of some of the common council member and stuff. I was thinking doing a little tour in January. I know it's middle of winter, but we will have temporary heat and stuff like that for a good portion of the building. I think it's important for for everybody to kind of see what's going on. Also, too, is that we are submitting there's a second phase of that project that we're going to bid on on some of the furnitureures and everything else. Uh, so we are going to
005be submitting another capital budget request. So, for for everybody take a look, council member as well, board member to take a look at the building. So I think it's beneficial to the overall view of the scale of this project. The mayor came by there I think a couple weeks ago he was excited from candy is still coming back kind of thing. So he uh he said make sure to invite him for ribbon cutting. So it was good thing but again that's what I'm thinking about in terms of where we are but we are moving along portion of the building it's actually have break and windows and stuff but another port for portion of the building is still open to the open air. So it is a it's a we got two more years of construction
006before we move in in uh in fall 2027 and then after we move in the fourth semester then we going to start doing the parking lot and demolition existing building and then from then on we're going to do renovate here construct new athletic facilities and uh the school the entire property is supposed to be open but for the fall 2028 except the tennis court which because tennis season anyway So it's uh so well that the tennis got a little later and we we're ready for the spring of 2029. So overall we are on schedule. Um so that's um that's high school as you know regarding South Law School. Uh we still have some minor punches item. There's some some things they need to take care of, including we need to refinish the gym floor uh
007because the there's some construction issue with it in terms of the coding and stuff, but we're taking we're trying to take care of during the uh Christmas holidays and it goes a little bit beyond that because uh there's a curing time required, but there's miscellaneous stuff that we need to continue to finish up. Um and the other project working on it's it's actually HBAC project for various schools. uh the heating system is silver line and and waiting operate operational at the same time there's still more work to be done in terms of uh fine-tuning the system but the heating system is oper operable and we're working at primman high school and um naromic school um Marvin school was recently approved by karma council that project is a little bit later than the rest of the
008project we are uh the number came in well and we're going through um contracting right now and uh we're looking to order the equipment and have it ready for installation for next summer. Um I think there's one more project here in any event. So we are moving along. We those project huh >> side >> Brookside Brookside is done speaking. We got some punches item we're working on. So overall those those six project total about 35 $36 million and the state reimbursement 60%. So we we are doing pretty well. We we anticipate all six project be finished uh before December next year. Um other than that um I think that's it. Okay. Thank you >> Alan. Sorry did you mention Westerro's the update there on pushing back that date due to the additional 5%. Yeah, recently
009we've been uh well not recently but for a little while we've been working on um and and analyzing the overall city cities and boy strategy in terms of a school improvement project. Uh the next project we're looking at uh is West Rock School uh and the strategy there was to actually completely build we build a new school and demolish existing one. So we we're going to build a new school on same property and then tear it down. we went through the town uh town hall meeting recently um that information be presented to the public. Uh subsequent to that the state actually approved a a a bill that allows city of Norwok or not just for a city like Norwalk to to receive additional 5% of reimbursement rate. So instead 60% would be 65%. Uh since
010it's a substantial project it will probably over $120 million. So that five 5% is quite a bit uh in terms of extra dollars. Uh so finance department actually went through a whole analysis. City's finance department actually went through an whole analysis and based on our annual because if we the way the the bill is set up is that project that's submitted after July 1st of 2026 will be eligible. But then the their submission deadline is June 30th. So if we submit a project this the coming year it will not be eligible. So finance department did a whole analysis about what's what's the difference. We we uh push uh postpone one year. Uh we anticipate there's going to be a 4% increase per year uh based on uh current construction estimates and the uh the in
011the increase uh reimbursement is 5%. So difference only 1%. But that 1% when you calculated for debt service for 30 year came up to $56 million for total. So and we also the finance department also look taking in consideration of present value. Uh and so it it is um substantial amount. So I think the recommendation on the city side to to the board of education that is that we wait one year and we'll submit it as a 2027 project. So that's what um originally we were going to submit a capital budget request uh for this project coming year but we are recommending that we postponed it one year so that we can capture some real savings for the city. >> Thank you. >> Any questions? >> Thanks. Makes a lot of sense. >> Yeah. >>
012Thank you for the update. >> All right. Um so at this time we're going to move into the next item which is the naming of the very school that we are all sitting in right now. Um so we have some slides up on the screen. Um and I would like to take everybody through uh this little presentation and then we will have some words from for Austin. Um so Dr. Ruby Nay Foster Shaw legacy of learning leadership and love for every student. So, Dr. Shaw's early life and educational journey. She was born May 30th, 1925 in New York City to immigrant parents from Panama and Costa Rica. She was among the first black students inducted into New York City's high school honor society. She earned a BA in anthropology and sociology from Queens College in
0131945, an MSW in social work from Columbia University in 1947, a doctorate in education administration from the University of Bridgeport in 1985 and was a lifelong advocate for education as a transformative power. her dedication to Noro public schools. She joined the Norach public schools in 1962 as a social worker. She served as assistant superintendent for human relations and alternative education from 1976 to 1986. Some of her signature achievements, she established Norwok's first magnet school. She spearheaded the Columbus Magnet School transformation in 1980, ensuring diversity and inclusion. She championed opportunities for all students to reach their potential. >> Community leadership and service. Dr. Shaw founded or led innovative student and family programs including ACCE class gain and packed initiatives. >> Can we hold for a second? Sure. It's not it's not live streaming. >> Okay. >>
014And I just got an email. >> Yes. >> All right. Um continuing on with community leadership and service, Dr. Shaw also served on boards of numerous organizations including the Norachok Hospital, United Way, Maritime Aquarium, and Human Services Council. She guided the I have a dream program in 1999 to support minority students in pursuing higher education. She was recognized as a woman of substance by the Connecticut Post in 1994 and was a volunteer spirit award recipient in 2006. Why name a school after Dr. Ruby Shaw? Dr. Ruby Shaw embodied the heart of Norwok's educational mission, equity, opportunity, and excellence for every student. First generation American who broke barriers in education. She was a pioneer of inclusive and innovative schooling in Norwok. A tireless advocate for community collaboration and lifelong learning. Her life's work continues to inspire
015generations of students and educators. Naming a Norwok school after Dr. Ruby Shaw ensures her vision that every student matters will live on. So it's with that that I would like to announce that this school will be named the Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School. So, so this um the committee would have to vote to pass this on to the main board agenda that will go for final approval, >> but it's not the next business meeting. >> Okay. >> And I know that principal Austin would like to share a few words. >> Good evening everyone. And I I have to say what an honor it is to bear the name Dr. Rush Elementary School. And in the previous meeting, um Nikki Ears, who I've known for many years, made the statement that it's important for students to
016know our history. And so these past couple of weeks, our job as a school, our job as an SGC has been to educate families, um soon to educate students, and part of the work forward is bearing their name with pride. Um some of us including myself have benefited from Dr. Rishaw. So I attended Columbus Magnet School as a kindergarten student, a member of the SGC. Also we were reminiscing of students who we know who have come through the um I have a dream program. So we are still bearing and living out her legacy and I'm excited for our students to learn about why the school is named and how we are honoring her legacy. Our next steps are initially we have our student talk show short time. So, we're going to have them present to
017students just why it's important that we're honoring her legacy, who she was, what she did for Norwok, as well as parents so that they also know. And just listening to her story, it is a no-brainer that we wouldn't live out her legacy in this space. And so, I want to officially present to the members of the panel. And can you come by holding this? So we have rebranded and we have our new gear and you all will be getting one. This is Dr. Shaw Elementary School. I don't think Bill got the assignment. >> And I I do want to also our new apparel. Um, we'll be sending out so each student will get a shirt branding her name as well as members of the panel and soon our staff. And I also want to share
018with you the new logo that bears her name as well. And I'll just pass these around. And I thank you all for engaging with us. I thank you for giving us the opportunity to engage with our community. We are living the name forward. We are going to wear it with pride. And I'm excited to bear the name inside out of the school through the halls because she made this all possible. And it's only right that we all know why. So I appreciate all of you and again we thank you and welcome to Dr. Rishaw Elementary School. We also um have uh Miss Sarah Young here with us. I don't know if she wishes to share a few words. I know she has been one of the um biggest advocates for this transition and I think
019it would be appropriate to allow her to share a few words. >> I'm not really >> you're used to this. So, I just want to say thank you to the board of education, to you, to the students, and to all of us who took the opportunity to really listen, and that's what really makes things happen. Um, and I just so appreciate it. I don't care how we got here, we got here. You know, it took us a while, but we got here. And I think as you said, Principal Austin, it's a no-brainer. And as you had mentioned what uh Nikki said, that was what I was kind of thinking, right? How do we remember the people who have impacted our communities? We name buildings after them. We name things after them to keep the legacy
020and the history alive. And that is particularly important in South Norwalk as South Norwalk changes. But this is considered a neighborhood school. And we need to make sure that we acknowledge it in the best and brightest way. And Dr. Shaw's efforts in this city uh to elevate young people. There's no better way to do that than to rename this school after Dr. Ruby Shaw. I had the awesome opportunity of working with her, not a lot, but when I saw her, she was always engaging, always energetic, and always talking about young people. And this is the perfect way for her legacy to live on. So, I thank you P principal Austin. I thank you, Superintendent. And I thank you this committee and the board of education and all of you here who are supporting this. So
021that's it. >> Thank you. >> All right. So I think we may have slightly jumped the gun, but um we will be taking a vote right now. >> Have we are we in contact with anyone in Dr. Rudishaw's family to let them know that we're doing this? I know that that members of the family have reached out to us, but um I think that we will make an attempt to invite them to the next board meeting. >> So where the formal would happen? >> I'm still laughing at the Shaw Sharks. That's what we want. The Shaw Sharks. Yeah. And also um you know just thinking about it going back like Darlene said what most people don't know about me. I was born and raised in South Mo and I actually knew Dr. Ruby Shaw and
022my parents did too and the number of families that she had helped and also put into my mind the time to take to you know volunteer and help others. And just to see her name up there is very heartwarming. >> That's amazing, Diana. Thanks for sharing that. All right. So, um, members of the facilities committee, can I please get a vote to move this board to the full board at our meeting next week? >> Seconded. >> That is unanimous. Forward. And if there's nothing else, I will call for a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn for our next meeting. We have to run out of >> Thank you everybody. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. feeling.