Plainville Community Schoosl
Steering Committee Agendas & Minutes

May 20, 2004 Minutes

Committee: Plainville Community Schools’ Steering Committee

Date: May 20, 2004

Time: 7:05 p.m.

Attendees: Bill Petit, Richard Ireland, Kate Lawson, Jay Steeves, Ron Pavano, Becky Tyrrell, Barbara Willard

Absent: Robert Ciotto, Jack Mastrianni

Also Present: Kathy Binkowski, ex officio; Lynn Logoyke, exofficio, Attorney Nicole Bernabo

Bill Petit called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Barbara Willard joined the meeting at 7:07 p.m. Jay Steeves joined the meeing at 7:10 p.m.

Nicole Bernabo, attorney for Plainville Community Schools, presented the committee with information regarding the new legislation for building projects. Attorney Bernabo explained to the committee that the recent changes in legislation require a building project to be approved by the town before it can be submitted to the state for funding. Attorney Bernabo also spoke to the committee about the roles of the steering committee, building committee, town council and school officials during the process. She told the committee that construction on projects can not begin prior to state approval of the project, however architectural services may be rolled into the project and can begin prior to approval. Attorney Bernabo also spoke to the committee about forming focus groups for public feedback regarding the committees plans and obtaining an outside consultant for enrollment projections.

Bill Petit informed the committee of Our Lady of Mercy’s plans to sell their school. The committee discussed the size and condition of the building. The committee agreed that the building did not fit in the Board of Education’s Long Range Plan. The school is too small and could only contain a few grades. It would be expensive to bring the school up to state code, and would also require additional resources to staff the facility. The Board of Education will be discussing the sale Our Lady of Mercy School with the Town Council.

The committee discussed the Communications Subcommittee. A communications committee was formed for the Linden Street School project. Tom Wazorko agreed to chair the committee again. However, many of the committee members were specific to the Linden Project and may not want to serve on it for the Toffolon project. The previous members will be contacted to see if they still wish to serve on the Communications Subcommittee. The Steering Committee will need to know who will be part of the Communications committee by the next meeting.

The committee discussed new membership. Although it has not been added to the Board of Education agenda, Bill Petit would like to see the Steering Committee move forward in its search for new membership. The committee will send out a notice to the local papers that it is looking for new members. Discussion of members to the Steering Committee will also be added to the next Board of Education agenda. The committee agreed that it would like to have 3 more members and have at least 2 members from the Toffolon district.

The Steering Committee will be meeting with the Town Council on June 7, 2004. Bill Petit told the committee that the council wants to discuss putting Plainville High School next on the long range plan. The committee discussed the effects of moving Toffolon back in the Long Range Plan. The committee also discussed doing the high school and Toffolon projects at the same time. Mr. Petit told the committee they should go to the meeting with an open mind. He also agreed with the committee that the Long Range Plan is a good plan. Dr. Binkowski will contact Shirley Osle to discuss the agenda for the meeting. The committee will ask architect David Jepson to attend the meeting.

The June 17, 2004 meeting will be cancelled due to a conflict with the MSP graduation ceremony. The committee will meet again on June 22, 2004 at 7:00 in Room 118 of the Board of Education offices.

JAY STEEVES MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. RICHARD IRELAND SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.