0012025. I'll start again. Good evening everybody and welcome to the board of education facilities committee call. Tonight is Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 and the time is 6:00 p.m. I am joined here this evening by fellow board members, our chairperson Diana Karpio as well as Ashley Gulas. Um, also joined here by Miss Sandra Fyo and members of her team. Thank you everybody for being here this evening. So we will call this meeting to order and our first action item is to approve the minutes from our last meeting which was May 28th. Are there any edits or revisions or can I get a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. I didn't see any changes. seconded. >> Perfect. Thank you both. So those minutes are approved. Now we will move into our review and possible actions. So
002we do have three actions and these are acceptance of three different US removal projects that were worked on over the summer. The first one at Brookside, the second at Tracy, and the third at Fox Run. I reviewed them and they all look to be in compliance to me. Um, Sander, is there anything we need to know about these three before we vote on all three? >> They're pretty standard, right, Bill? Would you agree? >> Uh, yes. Only that the Fox Run is not a US. It's a specus abatement. >> Okay. Right. Yes, I see that. Thank you. >> So, all three of those projects were completed on schedule. So, thank you everybody for that. >> Uh, and then can I get a motion to approve these three? accept them as is. >> Seconded. >> Perfect.
003Thank you both. Then moving on to HVAC improvement project updates. >> Um we were going to have Alan Low join us with us. If you want, it's okay though because I spoke with him prior. I'm going to share my screen if that's okay with everybody. >> Sure. >> And this is just so that we have these projects. I I think that Allan is here too, right? >> Oh, is he? >> I saw him. Come on. >> Yes, I see him on the list. >> Yeah, he's here. Oh, Alan, >> can you hear me? >> We can now. Do you want to do you want to talk about your >> I don't know. I want to talk about it or not, >> please. >> Uh yeah, they actually very quickly um alto together there's six projects
004and total combined project is probably around $36 million on different status. uh very quickly on uh Roen School and Silver My School. Uh both of these project has boiler replacement projects. So we are in midst of actually getting everything ready and the boilers are set in place and and the burners are being put on and we are scheduled to finish both schools by October 15 in ready for the heating season. Um so they are moving along. It's a looks there's many different little challenges but I think we are meeting those schedule and I think we are in good shape. Um Brookside it's a air conditioning project and uh we the units been delivered and and and their rooftop units they've been in place and we just get going through some of the troubleshooting. We need
005to set up new equipment with uh and and and controls and everything else. So that should be done pretty soon. I think maybe by end of this week that project should be finished. Um and uh going back to Silver Mai a little bit. So we're gonna finish the heating heating boiler by by uh in about two weeks or so. And there's we are putting air conditioning into the gym and then we're looking to do that this fall. So Silver Mine as a project should be also be finished by end of the year. uh jumping around a little bit. There's activity going on BIM man and which involved removing underground oil tank and stuff so that we can put a chiller in and that project uh the chill has been ordered. There's whole bunch of different
006thing we need to do in terms of sound uh attinuation and stuff like that. Um anyway, it's a a little more complex, but we're looking to get delivery of the chiller probably, I think it's February or March or next year, and we look to go finish the uh Brian McMahon cooling project uh before summer starts so that we don't have to run a a temporary chiller uh next summer. I mean, that's a substantial cost that we had this year. So, I think we are we're looking to uh get that done prior to the summer next year. And lastly, NAM makes moving along kind of thing. We we are starting we we're starting some of the prep work uh soon uh in terms of um coordination and stuff like that. But Marvin is one project that
007we do not have a contract for construction yet. We are scheduled to go out to bit in probably another week and uh we're looking to get the bits back in in uh and go for approval process um in the next couple of months so that we can order the stuff uh equipment by the early late winter and be available for next summer installation. Marvin project was um little bit challenging when we went out to bit the first time and we just don't have enough time to re repackage the whole project and also recently we completed that and ready to go to bit. So that's about all the update again a couple project will be finished this year again which which we are looking at silver mine and Brookside to be finished before the end of
008by the end of this year. That's it. Thank you. >> I had one question on um Marvin Allen. Is the Marvin project is it just air conditioning or is it heating also? >> I believe it's heating and cooling. >> Okay. All right. That's They have to do it in this summer. >> Okay. Because I know that they had had some problems in years past with heating. >> Yeah. >> Bill can correct me if I'm wrong. The heating is really is in the in the media center, right? >> The problem. >> Uh yes. All units are >> all units are heating, ventilating, and air conditioning. >> And the library had a very bad problem with the heat. That's what sparked this project. >> Hi But you said that we don't have a contract yet. We're still
009working bids for that one, >> right? >> Okay. So, that of all of the HVAC projects is at the end of the line right now in terms of progress, >> right? Okay. >> All the other five projects, it's uh it's being implemented except Marvin and we look looking at go a bit in two weeks. I mean, we go look in a week or so and then um we'll get bits back within maybe three weeks or so from now. three four weeks from now and then we go through approval process in the event if if there's a fin if we're looking to better bidding when we went out to bid on Marvin this is right before the summer it's very challenging to get mechanical contractor to commit at that time the year because they all committed
010for other projects so we didn't get very good bidding activity and also the price is extremely high to the point that it's not rational uh and we don't have enough money to implement them even though so and also at that point we we have to by time we you know we we have to restructure the package and and all the equipment will never make it for the for the heating season. So that's why we decided to wait and then now we do have this new schedule to u to manage it to get it uh get it implemented next summer. So >> next summer. Okay. >> Was the heating issue in the library a lack of heat or too much heat? >> Too much. >> I think Bill Bill can elaborate on it. I think it
011may be air conditioning actually. Right. That was a problem. >> Um it was a it all came down to a unit that's in very much in need of replacement. So uh we actually had to run air conditioning in the winter >> because the heat was so intense. So that unit um >> uh is beyond its useful life. >> I think also that the unit cover two portion of building. the one portion have get solar gain on one side meanwhile you're calling for air conditioning but meanwhile the other but the uh media center is uh we're buying different temperature zone kind of thing so I think what we're looking to do is break it up so that um so that there were separate controls uh typically you uh a large library or a gymnasium or an
012auditorium ortorium they would have its own unit at uh Marvin however the library unit that served the uh library also served some classrooms. So, it was one of those we're too hot, let's make an adjustment. We're too cold, make an adjustment. >> And you couldn't satisfy both areas of the school. And plus, the unit was on its uh last legs. [Music] >> Are we okay to move on? >> Yeah. Okay, >> I'm good. Thanks. >> Yeah. Thank you, K. So, we have some very quick updates just on some school projects that took place this summer, Bill. >> So, uh aside from the three you just approved, uh uh as completion, we also have four more. Uh the Roen lockers, I know that's been uh very longstanding. And um they were 8 inch wide lockers. What
013you see here now is 12inch wide. They are really happy. They picked a great color and they're in the hallways for the student lockers uh on all three levels. Uh they opted to go for the combination as opposed to everyone bringing their own combination lock. Some of the other schools prefer that. So Ed Singleton and his staff are very pleased that this was done. We got this in early and as a result this was done probably before July, believe it or not, or right after 4th of July. So that was done and the west rocks uh while we know we are talking about doing major improvements uh to west rocks the paving was at a serious safety issue. >> So what we did is instead of milling and paving we just scratched the coat and
014put uh block top over the existing and patch some of the bad areas to keep cost down and some sidewalks needed to be replaced as well. that was also done over the summer and the walkway around uh Fox Run was done as well. So there was a partially concrete but mostly asphalt that too was in bad shape and there were a lot of tree roots tearing it up and now the kids have a much smoother surface to play on and go to the rear playing areas. Uh cranberry roof solar installation. This has been long in the uh works. Finally, it took off. Right now, they should be installing their last few panels and they're going to spend about a month, month and a half on wiring it. So, that's an active project and that will
015be up and running uh well before the end of the year. >> This is Any questions regarding these four projects before we move on to school construction? >> So, were the Roen lockers ahead of schedule? cuz I thought that they weren't going to have them in time for the school year. >> Uh, no. Um, these were installed before right around 4th of July they were completed. >> Okay. >> You might be thinking ponis we wanted to do both but the ponus lockers because of the they are uh sort of special order because they are inside the wall. Okay. >> So we it took it we were not going to have those enough time to get them done this summer. >> Got it. So, uh, Ponis, I'm working on I'm sorry. >> I was say Ponis
016lockers next summer then. >> Yes, I'm working on that as we speak. I already met with the, uh, school leaders yesterday. >> And I'm I'm very excited to see that the cranberry solar is like, >> yeah, >> well on its way, nearly done. >> That's great. >> If you have no further questions, I'll keep moving along. >> Okay. Um Allan, do you want to give a brief update on um Norakok High School PEC? >> There it goes. Sorry. Um >> that's okay. >> Construction project update. Uh Nor High School. Um J is not much to specific to talk about really. The project is moving along quite quite a bit. Uh do you would you be able to show those pictures? Uh Sandra uh the that >> the pictures that Johan sent. >> Uh no, not
017the p uh the uh the actually the update that uh that um uh Dan prepared. >> Did he send it to me? >> I I think it was posted in the agenda or it Dan did send it earlier this week. >> Okay. >> Stop sharing. >> Oh, Alan, it may have come from Henry. In any event, it's uh this project is ongoing and um um there's no major milestone that we're hitting or anything like that. We just continue. I mean, you got the building is uh you know, as you know, we finished the uh brick uh the the steel erection during the couple months ago. We have a what you call it a topping ceremony. But everything's ongoing in terms of uh interior work and uh exterior uh veneer is being put on where where
018where where it's appropriate and timing wise and the interior mechanical equipment are being installed. So everything is moving along and uh the again the anticipated anticipated completion date it's uh for the building it's uh open for uh student is 20 7 or four semester and then thereafter we will we will begin demolition of existing building and then con create the u create the the new athletic facilities. place. Um, yeah, there's some a few pictures in here that um, so I mean portion of the building have windows and and and exterior veneers and and brick work and stuff. So I think there's a couple more picture after that showing some interior works. >> So >> have you guys gotten a chance to go by? >> Okay, it is kind of went by the other night. It's
019going it's going by pretty fast. Wow. >> I'll have to get over there. I haven't been over there in a while. And the building is not blue. It's just the panels. >> Wow. >> Yeah, it's uh it's progressing. Is that is that the auditorium area or something? I I don't know what this picture is. That is the auditorium. >> It's a good guess. Mhm. Oh yeah, sorry. Okay. >> Yeah. So, you can see interior. There's quite a bit of interior wall and door frames up and stuff like that. So, yep. Anyway, so um that's where we are again. Uh I'm not planning to do any tour anytime soon, but at some point we may do a construction tour. Um >> and uh the next project is South School. Everyone knows we the school was opened
020uh in uh for the uh for the fall semester. We had the uh uh ribbon cutting ceremony. There we are. >> Uh so everything worked out well. Uh overall there a lot of time when we open the school sometime there's uh you know we always have some punch list items and miscellaneous issue that we need to continue to address and we are continuing to do that. So we meet we continue to meet every Tuesday uh to address all the miscellaneous thing. But the good news is that there's no major issues that that we are accounting just really uh touch up this and and deal with all the miscellaneous issue that typical with any construction project. Uh so overall it's a good thing. Um I believe there still um >> Yeah. So anyway uh one thing
021I'm glad just on a sidebar a little bit. One thing I'm glad is that I I was never pushing to acquire those property on on because a lot of and stuff but as I go through the ribbon cutting and see the whole property as a whole. I'm glad that we did it. Uh you know the the yeah the council was pushing me to do it and I we did it. Well I don't have a choice when they push me right at the same time is that you know it's just a lot of work to acquire. It's a lot of money you know. I mean, we spend probably like $3 million to acquire or >> more than $3 million acquire all those property and stuff like that. But the day when you sit out there with
022the basketball court is it makes such a difference. Otherwise, those those res those multif family house that are really deteriorated and it's really like a slum lot kind of property kind of thing. And also the construction yard it is is a significant improvements to the project. if those houses still those building are still there, it really is a distraction to to all the effort that the community has put in into creating this facility, you know. So, that's just a sidebar. That's um you know, a little bit of my perspective at the end looking back at things. So, okay. The other item that that um we listed here, it's that on September 3rd, there was a special hearing um for the land use committee where the proposed name was discussed and um principal uh Randall Austin
023had shared some data that he had collected from his school community, but I wanted to just bring that up to this committee in terms of um that what that discussion was like and to see if you had any questions about that meeting. Both Alan and I were present at that meeting. I wasn't, you know, in the background and Allan was um a panelist. >> So yeah, I unfortunately was not able to attend that meeting. I'm not sure if Ashley or Diana were. I I wasn't able to attend but I did uh Sandre and I had watched and I watched the video of at least that discussion. Um >> I I mean I think that we're hearing a lot of feedback for both keeping the name just as the South Norwok Neighborhood School and also for
024naming it after Dr. Ruby Shaw. Um from everything I mean do you want us to share like our our thoughts on it? It's really just it was just part of the update for the South Norwalk School. I wanted to make sure that you you know that you knew that there had been a hearing about the >> Yeah. And I mean are we ultimately that decision is made by that committee from the council, not by us? Or are we all working together on it? Okay, here's where I >> I just want I just want to be clear on like the process and then I mean I'm happy to share my my thoughts on it, but I just want to be clear on like where that decision ends up coming from. >> Well, it's unfortunate that they
025jumped the gun um because protocol is that we were going to have um focus groups and town meetings to have the community have an input. It usually goes through us first and we have discussions with the community and then there's a vote and then you know it's brought up to the city for their votes but unfortunately I don't know why it's being um pushed forward this fast. Um I am not in conjunction with this push forward with it. I know that there's a few people that want it done ASAP. However, we've been saying in these facilities meetings that we were going to take into consideration the community. We were going to let the school open for a few months and then start our our meetings. We haven't had a chance to even have those discussions
026or schedule any meetings. >> Okay, got it. Um, you know, I mean, having listened, I I I would say I see both sides of the discussion. Um, and it feels like if to me it feels like we can do both. Um, that it could be have a long name of you know the Dr. Ruby Shaw South Norwalk neighborhood school colloquially be called the Sono School and have a significant like display honoring her right in the lobby when you enter. That's a thought that I had. Um there were also some folks on that call who mentioned the property at um what is it 46 conquered and possibly you honoring Dr. Ruby Shaw with that in a way naming wise. So I mean I certainly see the value in honoring her legacy and her history. Um but
027yes I think the community Yeah, right. Um, okay. >> So, I think the the next step is that we're trying to schedule a meeting between >> facilities and um common council land use committee. Um, okay. So, there's been a lot of emails flying around trying to find a time that works also with Mayor Willing. Alan, I'm assuming you're probably like looped in on this as well, but we haven't landed on a time yet. Um, it's looking like it might be the week of the 13th if we can't find something sooner. Um, but I Yeah, I mean, I think I I agree with Diana. you know, from the very beginning of starting to work on this project, I can remember being in parent, you know, family meetings at Columbus and specifically saying when it came to
028the name that we wanted to allow for the community, the students, you know, everybody to move in and get comfortable with the school and get the feel of it before, you know, weighing in on, you know, what what they thought the name should be. So, I think a lot of us were surprised when we saw the big South Norwok school sign. >> Oh, okay. >> In front. >> Um because that was not what you know the the direction had been was that we were just going to >> jump right in and and put a sign up there. >> I think Alan Allen, do you want to talk about the signage? Yeah. And just um I I guess a little bit on a self I wouldn't call selfish perspective. It's like when when we started this
029project probably two and a half years ago we submitted to the state uh we submitted state of South school projects and um the selfish part is really is that I'm so I've been so focused on getting this school built in a timely fashion at a time and you know when the city and the board of decide to name the building whether it's two years from now 6 months from now 5 years from now uh I just didn't want we I need to continue the project with with signage and also So it's not these signs are not that's why the ground sign is really simply replaced if we need to kind of thing you know. So uh I didn't look at it as a you know there's there's some certain level of permanency to to South
030school and and kind of like uh you know explaining where where the building is and all. So I I just took I just took a liberty to just you know continue as that this is this is the name of the school that was being submitted to the state and then we want to put some signage out out there so we know what the building is called. Again anytime in the future we change it that's I purpose didn't do signage that's that kind of service mounted on the on the on the wall of the building that you know that drill into the wall and stuff like that kind of thing. So really it's just a ground sign that's made out of wood. is simply replace or or you know or paint it over kind of thing.
031So it's not a it's not in my view it's not such a it's a you know it's just identify the as south school for now and then until such time there is a formal adoption of the name for the building then we can take care of that at such time >> is the name on the sign that's drilled into the wall because there is a sign drilled on the wall >> well the only one is the plaque >> that's the one I was talking about is it have the name on the plaque >> yeah I mean when we do even like cranberries school. We have a plaque we call Cranberry School in the future some. >> But what I'm asking is the plaque that's already on the school. Does it say there's a name on
032there? >> Yeah, there's a name on it. >> There was a jump on that too before we even had a chance to have a discussion. >> I'm just curious like where did that direction come from, Alan? Like specifically to to build those signs to order the signs and install them. It's a bit bid construction bid package. Um there's really no specific direction I got from anybody. It's really come down to is we are as part of construction package we are we are putting we are we have a ground sign and we have put the plaque and then the submitt uh package came in I signed off on it because that's what the uh there's no name being proposed at that time. So I continue calling it South School. Um it's no hidden agenda all the
033time. It just it's a plaque and it's a ground sign. So >> you were also in these meetings when we've had these conversations. So, yes, I do agree with Cara that it's a it's a surprise that the name has already been put on the building when all this time we've been talking about it for quite a while now that the community would have an input and I understand that those signs are up. Some of them like the wood ones will be easy to remove. We're talking about a plaque on the wall too that is already went on social media in the news and everything. Um like if the school does get renamed, do we change those plaques? There's a fee behind all of this. And I understand the other schools that are made new because
034they're already existing schools and this school is a brand new school and we've been talking to the community and telling them that they were all going to be a part of this. And it's unfortunate that it's come to this because we have community members that are already upset with the board because they're assuming that we named the school when we didn't. Protocol wasn't followed. I'm putting this on public record. we were waiting to have these meetings and let the public um put in their requests and you know follow voting procedures and vote on the best name for the school. But unfortunately that's not what happened. Um we'll continue with our meetings and see how we move forward with this. But as long as the public knows that's how all of this fell through. Just to
035be clear though, the name of the school as it was submitted to the project though had to have a name. The same way that when we had the incubator, we had to give it a name in order for it to be recognized by the state. Right. >> But I understand I understand. >> We never said it was going to be a permanent name, >> but we're not saying that it's a permanent name, >> right? But I want the public to know that. >> Abs. Absolutely. Thank you. But yeah. All right. Any additional slides here for us to review? >> Yes, if we're okay to move on. >> Sure. Thank you. >> Okay. We we actually um as you saw that there was an announcement made from the city um that the next school construction will
036be the West Rocks Middle School and we wanted to take some time to have Michael Lasasso share with you uh what the conceptual design would be. Are you okay with us moving on to that? Mhm. >> Okay, Michael, I'm gonna present and then >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Uh my name is Michael Lassaso. I'm an architect at Antonazi Associates. We're located at 271 uh Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport. Is my audio coming through? Okay, >> it's a It doesn't sound great. >> Sorry. Is that any better? >> Yeah, that's better. >> Okay, >> thank you. >> Apologize. Um so um we have uh been working on this project for um for actually uh several years and um in in fits and spurts actually but uh we've got a submission to present to you tonight. Uh
037Sandra I think we can go to the next slide please. >> Oh Michael before we go just making sure that everybody understands that this is a conceptual design. We have not gone out to bid on an architect or we haven't this is really just for us to be able to imagine what this project could look like. So that's why um there will be changes when when the actual project comes along. So just giving that as a disclaimer not to be held to this particular design. >> Thank you for clarifying. >> Of course. So, um, if we could switch to the next slide, please. >> Is this okay, Michael? This one. >> I'm I'm still seeing the uh the cover page, the the initial slide. >> Is everybody else do you see my slides advancing? >>
038No, it's still the >> Oh, my apologies. I don't know why. Okay, let me stop sharing and reshare and see if that'll work. Are you able to see it now? >> Yes. Thank you. >> Okay. So, Michael, do you want me to go back one or are you okay with this? >> Uh, if you could Yeah. go back one, that would be great. >> I don't think it's allowing me to do both. >> We can we can start here then. That's fine. I don't want to. Oh. >> Oh, okay. My apologies. Okay. What I won't do is share full screen. It won't allow me to manipulate it. Is this okay though to start here? >> That's perfect. Is that um every everybody uh able to see the screen adequately? Perfect. So, um, as Sandra, uh,
039rightfully clarified, um, our our effort on this project was really, um, essentially, uh, developing a conceptual plan, uh, looking at different alternatives as to how we could execute, um, the work associated with, uh, uh, a modification to the West Rock School. The, um, plan that we have before you was actually done, uh, previously. Uh when we began the project, um there was initially concern about developing on um the portion of the site that had the the fields. Um although I think we all agreed that that was the logical location for it. Um the those fields were relatively new and there was concern that if we did so uh we could uh potentially u result in having some concerns about uh losing the use of of newly installed uh fields. Um this particular plan uh that
040we have on the screen now was a sequential um addition uh and renovation of the existing school. And what we were proposing uh was adding a two and threetory structure in the um parking at the souththeast corner of the of the site. Um, as that uh construction was complete, we would remove and move students into that space uh which reflected the academic sections, take down the academic uh two-story section that's south of um of the existing WestRock school uh and then um construct the balance of uh common spaces and then take the uh take the the balance of that section of the school down as well. that would ultimately provide us a new school, but the sequencing and phasing of that suggested it would be significantly expensive. And so we took a a second look
041at this and uh if we could go to the next slide, Sandra, please. >> Mhm. >> Um this is just the existing site. Um and we provide this to give uh some insights in terms of the approach. Um we have uh identified uh specific a aspects both in terms of the configuration of the existing school uh various features that we thought uh could be retained and potentially reutilized uh and then other aspects um associated with the development of the new fields that informed our our future design. Uh and then the next slide please Sandra. Thank you. Um this describes um a diagrammatic relationship of spaces. Um what we found um significant about the the site was that uh again if we uh were able to develop on top of the fields um doing so essentially
042allowed um the existing Westerrock school to remain active without any kind of um disruption except for the absence of of the athletic fields. Um we proposed uh the assembly of spaces uh in part informed by the existing terraces that are uh exterior seating provided for uh current uh sports viewing. Um and also the the orientation of the west uh parking lot in the uh northwest corner of the site. um and then began to array um spaces associated with that uh uh in anticipation of the construction of a new school. Uh one of the challenges with the site is obviously a fairly dramatic level change. Uh we had configured um what we refer to as common spaces or the the the um uh auditorium cafeteria. Those spaces are often times utilized after hours uh in the
043uh upper field. and then uh reserves the lower field where the practice field is currently um which is a level below uh for the uh introduction of a um of a multi-story uh uh educational section. Um the yellow line that we have described there is suggesting the connection of um the drives as well which is often advantageous in terms of um emergency responders and and school access. And so if we could go to the next slide please Sandra. And this describes the conceptual um plan that um uh resulted from from those uh initial conceptual layouts. Um what we've uh proposed with this is a configuration that allows a bus drop off on the northwest corner of the of the building and an entirely separate um parent drop off on the south uh side of the
044of the proposed new building. Um the parent uh entrance off of West Rocks and uh through the drives uh provides uh extensive queuing. So we were proposing introducing less impact on on West Rocks and adjacent uh residential areas. >> Ain Street uh to the north uh provided a another existing curb cut that allowed um the introduction of buses. Um, as I mentioned before, that uh terrace uh seating area on the exterior uh became a um a sort of central feature of the building uh providing us an opportunity to have outdoor seating uh for a two-sided auditorium. Um and we'll look in into the building. will have uh the opportunity to open the rear of the auditorium and have outdoor presentations as well as utilizing the same auditorium with the closed um rear to to provide
045um the conventional uh auditorium use. Um as I mentioned before we have the common spaces and again these are primarily public spaces associated with um the uh administrative offices in the center. um the auditorium uh we've programmed a uh gymnasium uh cafeteria and food service and also media center for the building and that all essentially is at um at what we would say is the is the intermediate level that intermediate level continues into the academic wing and then it's a level up or level down uh for the different grades and so we've utilized four level >> go ahead I'll advance if you want >> oh sure yeah so we can go to the next slide Mhm. >> So, this is a quick overview and we'll we'll zoom in in a minute, but um the intermediate
046level is the plan on the right hand side and um kind of where the the box shape at the bottom uh stops um is that uh uh connection back to the um academic spaces. So, that plan on the right hand side is the intermediate level that connects all the all the floor levels. Um we have on the right sorry the lefth hand side is uh a view of the lower level and so that's one story down below this intermediate level um and it provides a a complete uh section for um for a grade level. I think in this case we actually had proposed the seventh grade but really the um the classrooms as proposed are essentially uh standard for all grades. So uh it gives flexibility in terms of uh how they might be organized
047in the space either lower level, middle level or upper level. Um the academic spaces are organized around an outdoor instructional space um and um or learning space and um and uh each of the uh grade levels uh sixth, seventh and eighth have two cohorts uh comprised of uh five classrooms. Um for the purposes of this uh study, we assumed a total population of 720 students and that is essentially 24 students per classroom. Though I do understand that there is um a 28 classroom limit based on >> the um teacher contracts. >> Um if we go to the next slide, we can zoom in a little bit to the this is a view of the um u common spaces. And so, um, we've arrayed the, um, spaces that tend to generate more noise, specifically the gymnasium,
048auditorium, um, music spaces, and the the cafeteria in this area. Um, we've separated them from, uh, the academic spaces to the south. Um, we've outfitted this to include band and coral spaces. essentially the program though I have to uh mention uh this was developed without um the uh in in-depth um ed specification educational specifications which are currently being prepared >> um but this was essentially um a program that was derived from uh information uh gathered from the original uh building >> um and uh as I mentioned before we have the the um uh the uh administrative suite centrally located in the building. Um, and this provides us the ability to have the two entrances that we saw from the site plan both from the north and south. Um, so that students can then convey into
049the uh into the building in controlled manner after hour or I'm sorry after school is is active. The main entrance would be on the left hand side. Um, and that would be through a secured entrance um and with appropriate resistance to intrusion. And then if we go to the next plan, um this is representative of the of the three different levels. Um on the upper portion which is closer to the um to the common spaces, we have uh classrooms that are associated with science and learning. Uh this particular program and envisioned a marine science classroom as well as a specific Verizon tech lab. Um there's a centrally loc located computer lab as well. Uh and then as you descend further into these spaces, uh the uh individual cohort co cohorts are um are more secure
050and separate from u the access points um to the to the north of the plan. Um and then I think we have one more slide and this information on the right hand side is just another this is the upper level. So it's very similar. There's a few different program types. Um we have the visual arts um in this particular level which is sort of centrally located um and again additional science classrooms. On the uh left hand side is the state's current form that's utilized for determining square footage uh eligibility. And um in this case uh based on benefits and bonuses that are available um in in this particular form associated with mechanical spaces and so forth um we're looking at having a building uh at 720 students that affords about 121,000 square ft. Um in
051the upper uh right hand corner of this slide uh we've actually done the area takeoffs associated with the the proposed conceptual plan and we're just under 120,000 ft or sorry 121,000 ft. So uh we think that this uh particular plan although it will likely uh be modified as the EDS specs are developed are certainly within the um the realm of possibility relative to state grant funding. And that uh concludes uh my portion of the presentation and I'm happy to address any questions. >> My question is if you want to go back to the athletics field that lower field at that school. I know that that was always a question because of flooding and drainage. Is that something that you guys are looking at or have even discussed now? It has come up actually in in
052um medians previous um and we are aware of it. Um any site development of that nature would obviously have to take into account the um the the flooding uh and wet uh nature of the site. Um we also have to make uh provisions to make I think there was a issue that was raised that um uh that there was water um impacting adjacent sites and so the development of this site would have to be done in a manner that would prevent any uh runoff going on to adjacent sites in accordance with state statutes. >> Thank you. Any other questions regarding this conceptual design? I'll have a few updates just on the roll out of the project, but anything on these particular slides for Michael. >> Nothing for me. Thank you. >> No, I I had
053sort of the same question as Diana about the the drainage on that lower field. Um, I'm going to stop sharing that because I'm going to turn back to my other presentation if that's okay with everybody. And thank you for your patience as I switch through. Um, so if there are no questions on the conceptual design, I just wanted to give you guys just some highlights. So the we're the application to the state and thank you Michael. so much. The application to the state will be June um with uh tentative groundbreaking for the spring of 2028. By then we will have Norak High PE all of their fields back on so that it won't be as stressful on the community in terms of having some of the fields offline. Um we project the completion of fall
0542030 Uh Michael went over the square footage. This is a very rough estimate just based on um some um numbers that Alan Low ran for us just in case you're ever asked, but we this is a very preliminary number because we have not yet done the education specifications to actually be able to price out the project. Um the reimbursement rate is 60% and I just wanted to share that there is going to be a community engagement on the seven and we will advertise that. I'm sorry if you don't mind. >> I don't mind at all. >> I think when we talk about cost estimate is something that uh that the first number that we show somewhat publicly kind well not somewhat it is publicly um it kind of stick on people's mind. >> Yeah. This
055is really the first number that without actually we going through the design was really a number that that the the the main reason why we're coming to to uh board of educated facility committee today and I'm going to land use tomorrow to present a similar kind of presentation to to to the city side is really is that assuming this is a project this both the board of education and city would like to move forward on we had to start submitting a capital budget request. We have to I mean actually I mean the board of education would need to submit a capital budget request to the city on December end of December of this year you know to get onto schedule in terms of developing this project. So it is essential for us to start looking
056at it so that so everybody understands and and get you know transparent about we are moving forward. If this is the project we want to move forward, then the board of education would submit a capital budget request to the city as part of the upcoming capital budget. So from now to end of December, there's a lot of work that we staff need to do, you know, to further develop a dollar amount for the budget requests. So we are taking this conceptual design, develop it, do some technical write up on it and give it to a cost professional cost estimator to come up with a a a more realistic budget that will will include the redevelopment and new new sports fields and stuff to deal with drainage issue, demolition existing building, environmental remediation, all those factor
057need to be considered. So when we talk about $125 million really it's really abstract by you know you're building a building that's 120,000 square feet blah typically this is what the number is kind of thing but since it has no really in depth evaluation what the dollar amount is so I said we highlight the word rough estimate and and I talize it and stuff like that but really is that I think the number we're going to provide the the the board of education and the city and the city as well as the public by by end of December I think that that's the that is going to be the budget number. This is like you know we anticipate everybody has a question like how much is this kind of thing. So I just again I
058just want to say this very clearly that this is our first pass. It's not really a estimate. I mean it's not really based on a a a project scope. It's just based on 120,000 square feet building. So so I just want to be fully aware of that. Um the other thing too is that I think the city through through last couple of years I I know that Mike mentioned that he been working for two years on this project really we are looking at all different things in terms of which project to start working on kind of thing and the one of the thing that the city has generally accept the fact that we're looking to do a major school construction every three years. So we we finished South School. We're in middle of which is
059a south uh nor high school which is a significant uh capital financial responsibility of the city. And I I thought that this is a good time to start planning for the next one. Um and and also one of the reason why also starting I think uh Sandra briefly mentioned is that we are currently we are using the the uh west field for to for for no high school soccer. So we think but we feel that this we're going to move into the new building nor high school in in fall of 2027. So that's why we're able to start construction of this the spring of 2028 and by the fall of 2028 the the the uh the the sports complex or high should be finished so that they won't need the field at at uh at
060Westerro. So that's a little bit of a strategy in terms of maneuvering activities between the two site kind of I think that that's where tra that's where some of these ideas come from. So again the city financially affordability it's uh we're looking every three years to do one major scoop and construction project. So it is significant I mean when you term 125 million 60% of that roughly it's you know 40% of city money. So it's about $50 million I guess >> you know for the city share. So it is something that uh the the city finance finance portion the city need to assess a city's debt limits and everything else to to come up with these uh concepts. So uh that's all I have >> and if I may just provide a bit of context
061u we do we did share uh the Newman DLR facility study with the board. We presented it in 2021, so I know it's been quite a a while, but even in that study, West Rocks was the school that was named as the school that was in most need of repairs. Um, and that's a large, you know, that's sort of like the set the stage for uh tiering the project and West Rocks was at the top of that tier. We keep doing band-aids because obviously, as you could see, the groundbreaking wouldn't take place until 2028, and we still have students there. The building is safe, but the building is a lot to maneuver um in terms of planning, and the classrooms are small. But on the 7th, we will have a town hall. We will explain
062why West Rocks is the school that was chosen. we will have a panel to be able to um answer questions from the public and engage uh the community. Um all the feeder schools will be personally invited and then we will just send out a blast to everybody else to have a more in-depth conversation about the project. >> Yeah. Although I think I I'm not involved in this. I know the board of education had requested money for roof repair at West Rocks last year. So, it is it was I mean we we've been talking about this kind of like thinking about what the which school and all that stuff and I think that um that's why we're not looking to replace the whole roof. We're just going to do I think I I forgot how much
063it is that the board requested really intended to to do some uh uh minor repair to the point that we protect the building from water water penetration and and and get by until the new building is constructed. that I think that's part of the strategy so we're not wasting money. Uh >> yeah, we we got to do a tour we did a facilities tour of Westerox last school year and I mean the the need is clear. >> Yeah. >> So um glad we're doing this. I hope a lot of folks um come out to the community engagement meeting next week. >> We'll we will make sure that we advertise it well. >> Yes. And lastly, I know I talk a lot, so so you got to excuse me, but but I think one the main
064reason why u there's no I guess approval requesting today or or tomorrow by this on the city's land use really is just informing the the the board and the common council that this is uh in terms of planning wise this is what the the the thoughts are and the schedule would could be uh so that everybody's fully aware that this is a project that we want to move forward and And so when when you see on the capital or when the board start making requests for capital so everybody's aware that you know there has been discussion on this so it's not like surprise anybody uh I think that's the main reason so there is no that's this is a discussion item for tonight as well as for tomorrow night at land use so it's no
065action required the only action as time comes on is really is uh board of education need to review and approve the education specs >> yes >> and also the city side had to go through approval to submit to state as a grant application later on in the year. So they are approval to be made but the same time and also as far capital budget we have to allocate the full amount of the project uh as part of the capital budget uh by April 15 uh so that when we submit the application to the state the project is funded by the city and that's part of the basic requirement of the state that the city uh approved the funding for it. So so again this tonight there's no no action requested and um I think that's
066it. and I need to stop. >> So, that's it for tonight, but we're here for questions. >> I don't have any further questions, Diana, Ashley. >> Nope. Thank you for all this all of this information. >> Yeah. No, it's an exciting an exciting update. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you, everybody. All right. Well, then I'll ask for a motion to adjourn. So moved. Motion to >> seconded. >> Great. Thanks everybody. Have a great >> everyone. >> Thank you. >> Good night. Bye.