HomeMy Public PortalAbout20131023 - Elementary School Building Committee - Meeting Minutes
Voted as amended 11-7-13 10-23-13 - Page 1 of 3
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
4:00 PM – Corner of Hilltop Road and Hayden Rowe Street
MINUTES
Elementary School Building Committee Chair Joe Markey opened the meeting 4:03 PM with the
following present:
Voting Members:
Mr. Joe Markey, Chair
Mr. Mike Shepard, Vice Chair
Mr. Rob Nickerson, Secretary/Clerk
Mr. John Mosher, Member (arrived at 4:50 p.m.)
Mr. Jonathan Graziano, Member
Ms. Pam Waxlax, Member
Mr. John Weaver, Member
Members: Members Absent:
Dr. Cathy MacLeod, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Scott Aghababian, Member
Mr. Ralph Dumas, Director of Finance
Ms. Lauren Dubeau, Principal Center Elementary School
Mr. Norman Khumalo, Town Manager (arrived at 4:55 p.m.)
Mr. David Daltorio, PE Town Engineer/Facilities Coordinator
Non-Members:
Ms. Jean Bertschmann, School Committee
Mr. Al Rogers, (School) Director of Buildings & Grounds
Mr. Don MacAdam, Conservation Administrator
Mr. Ken Weismantel, Planning Board
Ms. Kim Sullivan, Preschool Coordinator (arrived at 5:05 p.m.)
Ms. Kristy Willadsen, HPTA
Ms. Mary Pawela
Mr. Joe Marquedant, Surveyor
Mr. Dave Marquedant, Surveyor
Ms. Michelle Murdock, HCAM-TV
Mr. Dawson Markey
I Community Input
The chair invited community input and there was none
II Approve Meeting Minutes
On a motion made by Ms. Waxlax, seconded by Mr. Shepard the committee voted to approve
the September 23, 2013 Meeting Minutes.
Vote: In Favor: 6 Oppose: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1
Voted as amended 11-7-13 10-23-13 - Page 2 of 3
III Site Walk – Irvine Property
Mr. Shepard presented a map of the Irvine property describing boundaries, listing abutting
property and land attributes. He explained the property had frontage in two spots on
Hayden Rowe Street and consisted of 28 acres which is primarily brush and forest. He then
led the site walk on the property, exiting the site via the playground area at EMC Park. At
the end of the site walk, the meeting reconvened at the Hopkinton Integrated Preschool,
located in the back of the Middle School at 88 Hayden Rowe Street.
IV. Tour – Hopkinton Integrated Preschool
The group reconvened at the Hopkinton Integrated Preschool, minus Mr. Graziano who was
not present for the remainder of the meeting. Dr. MacLeod and Ms. Dubeau assisted by
Ms. Kim Sullivan, Preschool Coordinator, provided the tour of the preschool. Immediately
pointed out was a disadvantage of the location as it relates to mandated hand washing for
all students upon arrival. Due to the current set up there is a daily loss of education time as
a result of not having appropriate sinks for requisite hand washing. It was further explained
that in an ideal situation there are multiple areas for children to learn through play. Stressed
was the need for a flow of space for students to move from one learning area to another.
The committee observed and learned about the current layout of the preschool and the
many challenges faced in the present space.
One challenge is navigating through the Middle School wing where the occupational and
physical therapy space is shared by the Preschool and Middle School, as well as a classroom
for intensive special needs services. Transitioning to these rooms as well as the bathrooms
often occurs in conjunction with Middle School student class transitions. The speech and
language room, formerly a closet, is a learning area with no window or ventilation in
addition to being extremely small. Bathrooms are proportioned for adults and call for
students to use step stools to reach toilets, sinks, faucets, hand towels and so forth. The
two classrooms service 50 students, 35 of which are students required to receive service.
The present ratio is 7 students with disabilities to 8 community peers. Ideally the ratio
should be half that and allow additional opportunities for community peers. The present
location is too small to provide this option for more community students. Additionally the
location of the Preschool leaves staff members with a feeling of isolation. This poses a
challenge in planning for student transition to Kindergarten and beyond.
Mr. Shepard asked how the number of preschool classrooms needed gets determined. Dr.
MacLeod explained that Hopkinton Integrated Preschool is required to meet the needs of
early intervention identified students who require services in the town. After that number
of students is identified, remaining slots are available to community peers who would
choose this as an option over a private preschool. This number of slots is limited by the
space available.
Another challenge pointed out was the impact of the maintenance garage which is located
below the preschool classrooms. Auditory distractions from the garage door and grounds
equipment, as well as fumes and odors from the maintenance staff performing day to day
tasks prove disruptive.
Voted as amended 11-7-13 10-23-13 - Page 3 of 3
Additionally, the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)
determined that the Preschool outside play area is not legally considered a playground
because the equipment is not built into the ground. Instead it is considered an outdoor play
space. The Preschool has been in place since 2000, but was formerly housed at the Hopkins
School, and prior to that at Elmwood.
The last challenge brought to the committee’s attention pertained to security. The
Preschool lacks a defined entrance and office spaces. It is necessary for parents to remain
outside during student drop off and pick up. Students arriving after designated drop off
times must be buzzed into the Middle School by the main office. This procedure requires
parents who have been CORI cleared to walk through the Middle School to the Preschool, or
a Preschool staff member to meet the student in the Middle School office to escort them to
the Preschool.
Despite being faced with many challenges, the Preschool staff pointed out they make the
best with what they have to work with.
V. Other Business
Mr. Mosher proposed a joint letter from the Board of Selectmen, School Committee and the
Elementary School Building Committee be sent to the MSBA reiterating the commitment to this
project by the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Elementary School Building Committee,
and the community. He added on a separate topic that special attention should be made to the
population impact of large construction projects ongoing at Legacy Farms, and soon to be
Lumber Street, as well as several smaller projects in town, which may impact enrollment
numbers. Dr. MacLeod felt that a joint message showing strong support by the committees
would be beneficial.
On a motion made by Mr. Mosher and seconded by Ms. Waxlax, the committee voted to send a
joint letter from the Elementary School Building Committee, School Committee and Board of
Selectmen to the MSBA with an appendix documenting work completed to date
Vote: Favor: 6 Oppose: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1
On a motion made by Ms. Waxlax and seconded by Mr. Shepard the committee voted to
adjourn the meeting.
Vote: Favor: 6 Oppose: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.
VI. Next Meeting:
Thursday, November 7, 2013 7:30 – Middle School Library – 88 Hayden Rowe Street