Joint BOS/BOF/BOE meeting

The Boards of Selectmen, Finance, and Education met this evening from 7.30-9:15pm in the Adams choral room.

I will include a brief summary and more detailed notes for those who are interested. Overall, the meeting was positive, productive, bipartisan and collaborative, with both vision and attention to the specifics of accomplishing the challenging goal of passing the necessary bonds to fund improvement in Guilford’s school facilities. It was inspiring to see the leadership of the town envisioning this important step for Guilford’s future.

These notes are my own personal notes and are paraphrased.

Brief Summary:

All members present from the Boards Selectman and Finance endorsed the BOE recommendation for building a new GHS on the existing site with the understanding that more detailed schematics and price considerations as well as an analysis by the standing building committee will be forthcoming. While the exact timing of a referendum will depend on completing essential steps in the preliminary planning it is anticipated that the BOS will vote to recommend a referendum between February and April, then working with the BOF to frame a question for funding with the goal of voting on and submitting required paperwork for state reimbursement to meet a June deadline (assuming successful passage). The BOF will likely recommend a 30 year bond, which would decrease yearly costs relative to a 20 year bond. It should also be noted that discussions regarding Adams figured prominently, although towards the latter part of the meeting, and a suggestion was made to devoting a joint meeting (perhaps the next one) to this topic specifically.

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Detailed summary:

The meeting opened with Dr. Forcella speaking for about twenty minutes regarding “the importance of a new high school to education”. While he has consistently acknowledged the primacy of good instruction he touched on:

* The need for good air quality. He spoke of the “dead air” in the high school, and the fact that many students and teachers are physically tired out by the current air quality.
* The need for collaborative and common spaces for students and teachers, and how a new structure could enhance the culture of professional learning communities.
* The importance, and the possibility, of a new high school being a true resource for the community – how an air conditioned gym or performing space could be used for summer programs, and how a space that is used by the community could reinforce community commitment to education.
* The possibility of taking true advantage of new technology through new construction, including the possibility of locating GCTV in the new high school and incorporating its use into the curriculum.

Following this summary discussion turned to a timeline and some of the issues that had to be addressed prior to a referendum, specifically moving to more detailed site plan considerations. Based on concern about tearing down the recent ’98-’99 science wing addition the BOE is investigating with Fletcher Thompson the possibility of either saving the science addition as a free standing building or attempting to incorporate it into a new high school. Some possibilities for use discussed included moving the pre-K program (currently at Guilford Lakes) into the ground floor (approximately 10,000sqft) and the possibility of locating BOE offices in the upper floors. The whole addition is approximately 26,000sqft (10Ksqft in the ground floor and 16Ksqft in the upper floor). It should be noted that saving/converting this portion of the building may involve additional costs, for example the hot water supply comes from the current HS building.

There was a fair amount of discussion regarding the impact of the placement of a new HS building on field spaces (either the existing baseball field or the track/football turf field). It was noted by Mr. Balestracci that it would be possible to develop fields on Long Hill Road to accommodate HS sports, and that the investment required to do this would be minimal compared to the cost of developing a new HS; specifically that short term field considerations should not be a deciding factor in long term plans.

The economy was briefly brought up. It was noted that just this month Old Lyme had passed a $47million bond for a high school renovation. This referendum had failed in the spring-- when town officials were questioned on how they had passed it this time they mentioned that they had emphasized the fact that they were one of only three communities in the state that had not significantly renovated or built new HS facilities (Old Lyme, Clinton, and Guilford). Now there are two (Clinton and Guilford).

The need for educational specifications for the HS was mentioned (an “ed-spec”). While the preliminary work for this is done, it will need to be tailored to the needs of a new HS. The BOE will be working on this and hopes to approve it in November. Educational specifications are the requirements that architectural plans are ultimately designed on (i.e. # of classrooms, size of science labs, size of an auditorium, etc.). For example, it was noted current science labs are undersized.

The process for the approval of a bond referendum was briefly discussed. It was noted that only the BOS has the power to approve a referendum vote for the assumption of significant debt on the part of the town. It was mentioned that at a recent BOS meeting a new process for approval of building projects had been adopted that involves the approval of the standing building committee. The standing building committee will be working with the BOE, BOS, and Fletcher Thompson to answer outstanding questions regarding schematics and costs of the HS and the ultimate recommendation of the BOS will depend on this analysis and approval.

Following this discussion Jim O’Keefe (BOF) handed out a list of questions he felt were important to be addressed. I did not obtain the actual list but some of those discussed included:

* Does the BOS/BOF agree with the BOE recommendation for a new GHS on the existing site? Specifically, would any member of the BOS/BOF argue for a different solution, i.e. light renovations or renovate like new? No member of the BOS or BOF spoke in favor of a different solution. Ted Zuse noted his dissent on the BOE recommendation.
* Would anyone on the BOS/BOF disagree with new construction on the existing site? Noone spoke against this, given currently available land for school construction in Guilford.
* The need for more detailed decisions regarding the site of a new HS was raised.
* The need to decide what would become of the existing HS (minus the science wing) was raised. The question was asked would anyone be in favor of keeping the existing HS? It was noted by Ted Zuse that most communities around CT who had built new high schools had reused their existing HS for a middle school. Cynthia Cartier mentioned that hadn’t this been looked into? It was noted that the current HS site is 34 acres for the HS alone, with state recommendations for a HS site to be 40 acres. It was again mentioned that the TF had investigated the possibility of siting both the HS and middle school at one location and this was not feasible given the need for fields, parking, and traffic circulation.
* The possibility of the use of the HS for swing space for Adams was mentioned. Part of this discussion wa
* The price tag was brought up, and mention of the two independent estimates was made. Jim O’Keefe requested itemized and detailed cost estimates to all boards be presented when feasible.
* The need for green construction, and other details regarding size, shape, siting etc. were mentioned
* The need to interface with P&Z early on in the process was mentioned.

There was discussion on the importance of public relations from the boards, and the timing of this, was brought up. It was agreed that all boards would have to convey the importance of this to the town, and to dispel some of the misconceptions about financing and cost. The impact and importance of school tours was raised.

The possibility of obtaining grants was raised. While obtaining designation as a magnet school would not be feasible -- long and interesting (I thought) discussion on why-- other grants may be feasible. Specifically, designating the HS as an evacuation center for a disaster (rather than the current community center designation) may allow funding from homeland security, there is the possibility of designating the auditorium as a “hearing handicap” auditorium, etc.

The impact of a plan for Adams was discussed. While it is acknowledged that this may have an impact on the HS referendum it was mentioned that the Adams planning committee is being formed and has been given a year to do their work. Questions remain regarding specifics of a new Adams and re-use of the existing building.

Funding was mentioned—Mike Ayles (BOF) presented data regarding community wealth and reimbursement. State reimbursement for schools varies from 20-80% (Greenwich, #1, 20% à Hartford, #169, 80%). Rank accounts for a 0.36% change. As ~the 34th wealthiest town in CT, Guilford is currently eligible for 31% school construction reimbursement. It is unclear how the economy may affect reimbursement after June 2009, although the outlook is negative.

The question of a 20 or 30y bond was brought up, Joe Mazza stated they would likely investigate a 30y bond for this type of project. This type of bond would also allow the potential for refinancing to more favorable interest rates at a later date if this would be advantageous. It was noted that in 2013 there would be a substantial drop off in bond repayments. The question of other outstanding projects was raised? It was noted that we have a new fire safety complex, a new library, elementary schools in good shape etc.

The Goss property was mentioned. Mr. Balestracci stated that there would be a press release on this tomorrow at 10a.m. This property includes 624 acres, of which 65-68 would be available for “future municipal use”. A referendum on the purchase of this property will be upcoming.

The meeting was adjourned at ~9:15pm.

For those who have read this far, I know you are truly interested. I am optimistic that even in these trying times Guilford can rise to the occasion. GuilfordPACT was specifically mentioned a couple of times during the meeting and it is clear that having a citizens group behind this has provided some necessary confidence to the leadership of the town – thanks to all those who have helped with this effort so far… we need lots more help so please consider pitching in to help our efforts (specifically need help on Nov. 4th..)!

Chris