School Board Hears Report on Residents’ Ideas for New School

by Loumarie I. Rodriguez

Published:

Wednesday, December 25, 2013 7:07 AM EST

BRIDGEWATER-ROXBURY-WASHINGTON — Architects Fletcher-Thompson and ARCADIS told the Region 12 Board of Education at its Monday, December 16, meeting, their findings of what residents would like to see in a new consolidated elementary school building.

Representatives from both firms and O&G Industries presented a PowerPoint presentation on those findings, gleaned from meetings in each of the region’s three towns, during which the firms asked residents what they would like to see in s consolidated Pre-K to Grade 5 elementary school building.

“What we were looking for from the three community meetings was feedback on what would you like to see, what are your concerns, what would be your wants and priorities and so forth with the new Pre-K to Grade 5 school,” said Angela Cayhill of Fletcher-Thompson. “This is a part of the process as designers.”

Ms. Cayhill explained representatives of Fletcher-Thompson also gets feedback from administrators, teachers and other staff members. She said it’s important to hear directly from the community since each school district is different.

The current plan of design would be for 300 students, which is the smallest category for reimbursement for Connecticut.

The new building would have some wiggle room in case there is an increase in population in the next few years.

“We have enrollment projections, but there was definite concern over how could we design so we don’t over-build, yet we don’t want to under-build either,” Ms. Cayhill said.

“We want to be able to provide any room for expansion that might happen in the future.”

While residents in the three towns had different, local concerns, they did share common ideas for the new school building.

One main concern was that a new school have a strong community feel. Other common suggestions were safety and security, cost-efficient design, spaces to support Common Core standards, technology and sustainabilty and common use of the school.

Other items addressed were the need for a campus feel and the relationship between the elementary school and Shepaug Middle High School.

“What do you not have in your existing elementary schools that maybe the students and the community would look forward to?” Ms. Cayhill asked. “A lot of the groups came back to the core of students’ education which is their basic curriculum.

“These students are very high performing in the schools where they are and that has to be maintained. The focus should be on students’ performance and the core educational needs of the students.”

Residents wanted a new elementary school building to be self-sustainable and energy efficient.

Daniel L. Casinelli, a principal at Fletcher-Thompson, said the next step is to explore conceptual designs based on program needs and residents’ input.

The firm plans to do a site visit and make sure the area is able to support the building.

Diagrams and a conceptual design will be created to provide residents with images of what the elementary school will look like. A cost estimate will be created after the conceptual design is finalized.

“One of the ideas that we looked at was the pond in the back of the site and how to [use] that [in] the design of the building,” said Mr. Casinelli. “Also use [the pond[] as an educational tool for students or we can look at other parts of the site.”

He said Fletcher-Thompson is trying to identify all items necessary in order to create the cost estimate. After gathering information, the firm will create a design narrative.

The narrative will give details of the design approach and the elements that will be incorporated into the building. The narrative is given to an estimator who estimates the cost of work.

Once the cost is determined, the firm will do an analysis to make sure everything is covered.

The design process should take 30 to 35 days to complete and by the end of February, should be ready to present, Mr. Casinelli said.

Kenneth Biega, assistant vice president of O&G Industries, told the board that by the time Fletcher-Thompson comes out with a design, his company will be ready with the estimate.

“We’ve done more schools than anyone in the state,” said Mr. Biega. “We have the date and we know what it’s going to cost per square inch, whether it’s an elementary school or a high school.”

Superintendent Dr. Patricia Cosentino told the board the representatives were not there to sell the idea of the new school, but only to present facts of what it will include.

Flyers and pamphlets can be handed out to parents or community members with the information on the new elementary building.

Board member Peter Tagley said he was appalled by the way the three meetings in the towns were conducted. He did not like there was not enough residents present at the meetings and the firms have not given enough information on the new elementary school.

He also said there is not enough of a voice from residents on what direction the Board of Education should be going.

Board member Michelle Gorra said the architects were trying to get a sense of the community and what they would look for in the design for the elementary school.

“It’s a school building and everything is straight-forward in most of the things that need to go into it,” said Ms. Gorra. “They [the firms] are going to come back with some ideas with plenty of room for input and it wasn’t the time for everyone to be discussing the project or the whole concept of the referendum.”

Ms. Gorra said the community will be able to weigh in later on the concepts the firm develops.

Board member Alan Brown attempted to make a motion to bring the question of a new consolidated school, without cost estimates, to a referendum.

However, member Greg Cava tabled the motion with a majority vote.

Chairman James Hirschfield, during his report, said it has been brought to his attention that both the Building and Facilities Committees are suffering from lack of board representation.

Mr. Hirschfield decided to terminate the Building Committee and have the facilities committee take over.

He said that if residents approve a new elementary school building, and he is still chair, then he will appoint a permanent building committee.

“There is some concern about the small representation of the board on these committees and how it’s hard to get a consensus because of the small representation,” said Mr. Hirschfield. “There’s been an issue raised on advisability of having members from the general public on these committees and also members of staff.”

Teresa DeBrito, director of curriculum and instruction for the region, gave an update on where Region 12 stands in the School Performance Index and the District Performance Index.

According to Ms. DeBrito, each student has an individual performance index developed by the state. The index is based on how a student scored on the CMT or CAPT.

If a student reaches goal or advances then he or she receives 100 percent credit; proficient counts as 67 percent; basic as 33 percent; below basic there is no credit.

Connecticut has the goal for students to reach 88 percent.

Burnham School in Bridgewater has a 95.5, which categorizes the school as excelling. Booth Free School in Roxbury scored 93.7 and Washington Primary 90.

Shepaug Middle School received a score of 91.4 and the high school received 84.1.

According to Ms. DeBrito, the scores have improved compared to last year.

Dr. Cosentino announced to the board she won a trip through the program Lifetouch Memory Mission. She will be traveling to Constanza, Dominican Republic, from January 21 to 28 and will be helping construct a school while connecting with other administrators from across the U.S. and other countries.

During that week, she plans a Google chat session with Shepaug on Friday, January 24, during which she will update students and the community on her progress in Constanza.

Leading up to the trip, Dr. Cosentino will visit Region 12 schools to create excitement for the trip. Any money she raises from now to the time of the trip, she will use for supplies to help the school.

The board approved two motions to create a smoke-free environment at Shepaug. The second motion removed an outdated policy that allowed students to smoke with a parent’s permission.

Region 12 a divided district over solution to declining enrollment

Published 6:49 pm, Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Declining student enrollments have spurred school officials throughout the area to take a hard look at the future of their educational facilities -- and the expenditure of taxpayers' dollars. From Ridgefield and Newtown to New Milford and Region 12, shrinking pupil populations have translated to under-utilized building space and prompted proposals to consolidate students in fewer schools.The issue had been a point of debate among officials and residents in both Ridgefield and Newtown in recent years, but both towns have put the matter on hold

In New Milford, officials seem to favor closing John Pettibone School, but there are residents who oppose that move because it would leave the largest geographic town in the state with just two elementary schools, it would require redistricting and longer bus rides for some students, it would mean grade reconfiguration, and not everyone is sold on the projections for declining enrollment.

But nowhere is the issue of school consolidation more contentious than in the Region 12 towns of Washington, Bridgewater and Roxbury.

Washington, the biggest town in the Shepaug Valley, has long sought to close the three elementary schools in the district and build a consolidated pre-K-to-grade-5 facility within its borders.

Meanwhile, Bridgewater has passionately resisted closing Burnham School, and Roxbury has strongly protected Booth Free School.

With student numbers dwindling in the district, Region 12 officials and residents considered a number of cost-saving options over the past couple of years.

It quickly became clear that Bridgewater and, to a lesser degree, Roxbury, did not want to become the only towns in Connecticut without hometown schools, with all the potential negative effects on their tight-knit communities, local economies and future demographics.

However, Washington officials did not keep their ears to the ground, and they were not sensitive to how important those two local schools are to the Bridgewater and Roxbury communities. Instead, they led a push for a consolidation proposal and the hiring of professional firms --- to the tune of $143,000 -- to draw up plans for such a facility.

Now, however, questions are being raised about whether the school board acted too hastily.

In order to consolidate, Region 12 voters would have to authorize a change in the 1967 regionalization plan that ensures each town will have a school. And as the result of a 2009 state Supreme Court ruling sought by Bridgewater, all three towns -- not just a majority of district voters -- would have to approve that change.

Pro-consolidation forces have argued, plausibly, that voters need to know what a new school would look like and what it would cost before deciding whether to change the regional plan.

Opponents of consolidation have contended, equally plausibly, that the experts should never have been hired until a vote was held on the regional plan and that if a proposed new plan is shot down, as they anticipate, Shepaug Valley taxpayers will have wasted $143,000.

It is clear, at least at this point, the Region 12 school district faces a rocky road in seeking a solution for its declining enrollment numbers.

Region 12 struggles to escape 'quagmire'

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Susan Tuz

Published 5:57 pm, Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Region 12 is apparently caught in a "quagmire." At least members of the region's Board of Education appear to be stuck in neutral regarding the question of consolidation.

This was the opinion of board member Susan Stumpf, of Bridgewater, this week upon learning the board's attorney nixed proceeding to region-wide referendum with the question proposed by the board.

A dollar amount required for construction of a possible consolidated school for children from Washington, Bridgewater and Roxbury cannot be attached to a ballot question about amending the three towns' regional plan, board Chairman Jim Hirschfield, of Washington, told the board Monday.

There would have to be two ballot questions, he said, and who could vote on each issue would depend whether the voter's status be resident or taxpayer.

Having a dollar amount included in the ballot question had been the board's understood premise in hiring architectural firm Fletcher-Thompson for $104,000 to develop pre-referendum schematics and a cost for a new school.

"We're dead in the water," said board member Pete Tagley, of Washington. "Real dead. There's no overwhelming support for this."

"We're spending a lot of money," he added, "and I've had no direction from anyone in Washington telling me what they want us to do."

Stumpf agreed.

"I'm all for having the public guide the board," she said, "but we're not going in that direction. That's the quagmire we're in."

Fletcher-Thompson representatives held three "Future of Region 12" meetings during the last two weeks and met with school administrators and educators to glean "direction from the community" before beginning schematic designs.

"It was very informative," said Daniel Casinelli, of Fletcher-Thompson. "We heard pros and cons, which helped us in trying to understand the needs and concerns of the community."

Casinelli and his team presented their findings Monday to the Region 12 board.

"There is a strong sense that the community feel now existing in the three separate elementary schools should be maintained," said Angela Cahill of Fletcher-Thompson. "That would include having an intimate atmosphere for students and accommodating community activities to be held at the (new) school."

Whether Fletcher-Thompson's calculations will go before Region 12 voters remains to be seen.

Board vice chairman Alan Brown of Bridgewater called for an immediate referendum, with the sole question of whether the regional plan should be amended.

Brown's motion was tabled, but Hirschfield said he would review Brown's motion for the next meeting.

"If a referendum to amend the regional plan fails that's it," Hirschfield said. "But we want to present voters with the information they need to make an informed decision."

stuz@newstimes.com; 860-355-7322

Mixed reactions greet Region 12's 'future' tour

Friday, December 13, 2013

Susan Tuz

School officials and the architectural firm Fletcher-Thompson have a big job on their hands promoting the construction of a consolidated elementary school in Region 12.

Daniel L. Casinelli, a Fletcher-Thompson representative, and his team are on a speaking tour of the region's three towns, gathering resident input and promoting the project for the Board of Education.

Bridgewater residents resisted the firm's attempt to engage them during a Dec. 3 forum atBurnham School.

The following evening, the firm received a warmer response during a forum at Shepaug Valley Middle/High School for Washington.

A forum was also set Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Booth Free School in Roxbury.

In Bridgewater, Casinelli and his team were met with angst and anger as some 50 residents of the town essentially took control of the meeting.

Questions about why Fletcher-Thompson was hired for $102,000 and why a consolidation plan had come to this pre-referendum point took precedence over the actual plans.

Resident after resident expressed his or her displeasure with the region's proposal to close Burnham School.

Carolan Dwyer, an organizer of Save Our School, pointed out Bridgewater's three representatives on the Board of Education had repeatedly voted against consolidation plans.

The town does not want consolidation, she said.

The education board vote was 8 to 4 to hire Fletcher-Thompson and project managers Arcadis pre-referendum, at the cost of $102,000.

"We were hired to develop a conceptual design of a pre-K to fifth grade school and to determine the cost for the referendum," Casinelli said. "We're trying to understand why you like this (Burnham) school, what you would do to this school to improve it."

Parent Suzanne Creech responded.

"You're missing the point," she said. "This school is our community. Everyone gets involved in the school when their child is here and that carries on to membership in the fire department, to other areas of the town."

While Bridgewater residents are vehemently opposed to consolidation, the 12 parents from Roxbury and Washington in attendance Dec. 4 were readily onboard with discussing what they would like to see in a new consolidated school on the Shepaug campus.

"Some of the parents have a problem with this but the kids will be fine with it," said Washington father Jay Hubelbank. "It will make a better community for all the kids. Parents will all know each other from their children's first-grade years all the way through."

Roxbury mom Carrie DeMilio noted, "I don't like that currently schools like Burnham are right on the main street of the town. I work in a different school district and I like that you have to go through a guard station to get on campus."

Nicholas Macy, the senior project manager for Arcadis, said security would be a paramount concern in his company's oversight of a consolidated school project.

"School security is a topic everywhere we go," Macy said. "You want flexibility. You want to know kids are safe but you don't want to go over the top and have kids feel like they're going into a prison."

"We need to learn from you where that middle ground is from your perspective," he added.

Fletcher-Thompson and Arcadis staff will make a presentation of their findings to the Region 12 Board of Education Monday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in the library at Shepaug Middle/High School.

Battle lines drawn in Region 12

 

Published 7:51 pm, Friday, December 6, 2013

Region 12 is a school district deeply divided about its future.

The battle lines have been drawn, as they have been for literally decades, over whether the district should build a new consolidated pre-K-to-grade-5 elementary school near Shepaug Valley Middle High School in Washington or whether there should continue to be separate, local elementary schools in Washington, Bridgewater and Roxbury.

On one side stands Washington, by far the biggest of the three towns and the community which has fostered the consolidation movement.

On the other side stands Bridgewater, the smallest town and the fiercest defender of retaining local schools.

Pretty much in the middle -- geographically and philosophically -- is Roxbury, which has traditionally supported local schools, although not with quite the same passion as Bridgewater.

Over the years, advocates for consolidation have mounted serious proposals -- and even district-wide votes -- for a combined facility. Those consolidation plans have been shot down at every turn, but like Congressional Republicans who keep trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the pro-consolidation lobby just won't give up.

Consolidation has picked up a head of steam over the past couple of years, as declining enrollment projections have painted a picture of significantly underutilized space at Washington Primary School,Burnham School in Bridgewater and Booth Free School in Roxbury in the future.

After studying various options, Region 12 officials -- over strong objections from Bridgewater -- decided to try once again to gain public support for a consolidated school. According to Superintendent of Schools Pat Cosentino, the proposal is likely go to referendum in late March or early April.

Bridgewaterites have claimed -- with some justification -- that not enough consideration has been given to proposals that would have kept Burnham and/or Booth Free open. That could come back to haunt proponents of consolidation, since -- courtesy of a state Supreme Courtruling -- all three towns in Region 12 must approve any change in the regionalization plan. That means that Bridgewater -- or Roxbury -- voters wield a hammer and can prevent closure of their school by voting down the consolidation plan.

To be sure, there are some compelling arguments in favor of consolidation -- reduced operating costs, arguably improved educational opportunities, closer bonds among the towns, parents and children.

The case for consolidation is easier to sell -- and townspeople have far less to lose -- in Washington, where the school would be located, than in Bridgewater and Roxbury. A number of residents would probably prefer to keep open the old primary school right in the heart of Washington Depot, but a consolidated school would be just a short ride from the center of town.

For Roxbury and Bridgewater, it would be a whole different story. Instead of going to school right in the middle of town, just a short walk or ride from home, young children in those towns would face lengthy bus rides to and from school every day. That would be especially true for Bridgewater, whose town center is nearly 10 curvy, winding miles from the proposed school site.

I have often wondered how different the debate would be if plans called for a consolidated school in Bridgewater, meaning that Washington kids would lose their school and face the long bus rides.

For the two smaller towns, however, the anti-consolidation argument goes well beyond transportation issues.

Burnham School is the top-ranked elementary school among comparative schools and one of the highest rated in the entire state, and Booth Free isn't far behind.

As nearly four dozen Bridgewater residents made very clear at a Tuesday night meeting with architects and consultants working on the proposed project, they love their "phenomenal" school, their "great" teachers, and their "awesome" principal and PTO. Burnham School is an integral part of the close-knit Bridgewater community, and many residents simply don't want to see it closed.

And consider this: If Burnham and Booth Free are closed, Bridgewater and Roxbury would be the only two towns in the state without a school within their borders.

Nobody knows exactly what that would mean for those towns, but it is fair to be deeply concerned about the economic impact on local businesses, about property values, and about the future demographics of small towns that have no schools and -- for many young families -- one giant reason not to move there.

Pro-consolidation forces still have a few months to sell the project, and you never know how referendum votes will go.

But sadly, regardless of the outcome, it is likely the district will remain divided and hard feelings will linger, at least for some time -- an unfortunate state of affairs for three great little towns with so much in common.

Art Cummings is editor emeritus of The News-Times. He can be contacted at 203-731-3351 or at acummings@newstimes.com.

“No Way, No How”

Wednesday, December 4, 2013 by:Susan Tuz

Bridgewater residents were adamant Tuesday that they will fight to the end to keep Burnham School open in their town.

A planned informational meeting by architectural firm Fletcher-Thompson designed to glean information on what residents would like to see in a new consolidated elementary school proposed for the region was quickly taken over by Bridgewater residents in attendance.

Some 50 residents of the small town attended the meeting at Burnham School and turned the discussion in a questioning period on their part about why the architects had been hired pre-referendum and why the process had come this far when the town’s representatives on the Region 12 Board of Education had repeated voted against the consolidation proposal.

Perhaps the architects will fare better when they address Washington residents tonight (Wednesday).

Calls Region 12 board's approach 'dysfunctional'

Published 6:22 pm, Tuesday, November 26, 2013

After attending the Nov. 18 Region 12 school board meeting, I realized that dysfunction and partisanship is rampant in Washington -- whether that is Washington, D.C., or Washington, Conn.

When are we going to get a school board that is interested in the will of the people and not in the interest of the board's partisan majority?

What do we need to find a harmonious end to this continuous bickering over a decision that was made years ago and upheld by the state Supreme Court?

Do we really need to spend another $150K, voted at the Nov. 18 meeting, so a group of lobbyists can be hired to pursuade Bridgewater to cave in to the interest of the bully Washington and kill our Burnham School.

I hope the school board has some lawyers on it who can help the others understand the lawsuit that would be coming for misappropriation of public funds should they spend that money.

This board is finding out how easy it is to spend money that isn't in its pockets.

Joe Buchheit

Bridgewater

Architect, project manager hired amid accusations

Friday, November 22, 2013

Susan Tuz

Updated 10:50 pm, Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Bridgewater board members tried to block the proceedings as the board moved to hire architectural firm Fletcher-Thompson to do pre-referendum specs and to promote the building of a new pre-K-5 school on the Shepaug campus.

In the end, Fletcher-Thompson was approved in an 8-4 vote to be hired for $102,000 and project management firm Arcadis was hired for $41,400 to oversee the architects' work -- again by an 8-4 vote.

"Any architect knows these projects don't happen without full community support," said Vice Chairman Alan Brown of Bridgewater. "Was there some kind of concession of prowess by this firm to get all communities behind this project?"

Brown then said that it was "specious" that details on architectural firms' bids for the work were not presented to the full board by the Building Committee.

"Details may not have been necessary because the vote" was already set, Brown said, alluding to the fact that the Building Committee is composed solely of Washington members.

The hirings were carried by Washington board members' votes.

Bridgewater board members -- Brown, Susan Stumpf and Michael Sinatra -- and Roxbury member Kelly Lott have fought the proposal to close the three existing elementary schools and build one consolidated pre-K-5 school on the Shepaug campus.

A referendum question about the proposed change is being fashioned with a date still to be set.

Parents in Bridgewater have revived Save Our Schools to block the closing of Burnham Schoolin their town.

"It's irresponsible to spend $144,000 before the referendum decision is known," Lott said.

Building Committee Chairman Greg Cava supported the hiring.

"We'll have a good manager and architect working together," Cava said. "They solved problems and did a better job than anticipated on Burnham School repairs and brought the project in under budget. Having preliminary work done assures we're not wasting our money."

Region 12 BOE Approves Architect

by Loumarie I. Rodriguez

Published:

Saturday, November 23, 2013 7:08 AM EST

BRIDGEWATER-ROXBURY-WASHINGTON — The Region 12 Board of Education, meeting Monday, November 18, approved the hiring of the Fletcher Thompson firm for the Pre-K to Grade 5 building project and agrred to hire a project manager from the ARCADIS firm.

Fletcher Thompson will do pre-referendum work for $102,000. The firm will be responsible for designing a new elementary school for the three towns if the consolidation referendum os approved.

The project manager from the ARCADIS firm will do pre-referendum work for $41,400.

Board member Tony Bedini told the board that Fletcher Thompson is interested in doing the pre-referendum work and the Building Committee was impressed with the firm’s plan of action.

“These people are heavily invested in doing pre-referendum work,” said Mr. Bedini. “Fletcher Thompson has a track record of 95 percent for a first referendum of getting a yes vote. The other five percent is they have gone back two or three times. They really know what they are talking about. They have been down this road several times.”

He explained the project manager will make sure the proper forms are in place for the construction of the new Pre-K to Grade 5 building. The project manager will oversee the whole operation.

“I think they [the two firms] have a lot of experience and they come highly recommended,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patricia Cosentino. “I certainly put my support behind confirming both.”

Several board members, including Kelly Lott, Allen Brown, Michael Sinatra and Susan Stumpf, voted against both motions. They did not like the board moving forward with hiring both firms on a project that has not been voted on by the three towns.

“These projects won’t work unless there is community support,” said Mr. Brown.

Mr. Brown also said he doesn’t think the referendum is going to pass because a good majority of residents in Bridgewater that he has talked to are against the consolidation. He also said getting the numbers for the possible costs of a new consolidated school is getting expensive.

Board member, Peter Tagley, said Mr. Brown can’t be certain of every resident’s opinion on the consolidation and they may want the information on the consolidation. He also said the three towns may not agree on the issue but they will have to go out into the public and present a project the board feels for the best interest of the region.

According to Bob Giesen, region 12’s business manager, the motions they passed are not necessarily binding. He also told the board money for the pre-referendum work comes from a budget that was formulated and adopted last year. According to Mr. Giesen there more than enough money in the budget to cover both motions made.

Board member Greg Cava said during the interviews process the firm made observations for the high school renovations that a number of items could be reimbursed.

“It was something we did not expect,” said Mr. Cava. “That’s the nice thing about having this project manager. They are able to look at the bigger picture and see things like that. It would be very important to identify that stuff early because that’s what you want.”

Dr. Cosentino said the Thompson firm is very knowledgeable about the high school renovations and the project manager will look into the board’s interests and make sure paperwork and schematics are in order.

Principal Kim Gallo, of the Shepaug Valley High School gave a presentation that assessed the teacher’s caseloads and the school’s new schedule. She also talked about the number of students per classroom and how many students certain teachers have.

Ms. Gallo talked about the courses Shepaug is now offering that include upper level courses in German, computer science, engineering, etc. The school has incorporated public speaking into the 11th grade curriculum. She said it’s not a separate course but it will become a part of the student’s graduation requirements. She briefly touched on the set up of the honor’s challenge and says it is highlighted in the teacher’s schedules.

“Honors doesn’t mean you were born with it,” said Ms. Gallo. “It means you worked harder and have an interest.”

Dr. Cosentino said they have added Professional Learning Time for the teachers in order for them to meet with other teachers, plan curriculum work and look at student work.

“That (Professional Learning Time) has been missing in the past,” said Dr. Cosentino. “It has been very beneficial to our staff as we move forward.”

Dr. Cosentino talked about the state moving forward with a uniform calendar for Connecticut schools. All schools should start a week prior to Labor Day and spring break will always be the third week in April. Common professional development days will be on the Tuesdays after holidays if the schedule allows for it. All these changes have been made in order to keep the costs of the transportation and the state is trying to have a statewide calendar.

“It was put into one of the laws,” said Dr. Cosentino. “It was snuck in by legislators and there have been meetings with the state representatives and I have been a part of them.”

Dr. Cosentino and board member, Michelle Gorra, attended the CABE-CAPPS Convention the previous weekend and encouraged other board members to attend the next convention.

“It was really inspiring and you learn a lot,” said Ms. Gorra. “I brought a lot of stuff with me to work on.”

Architects Present New School Plans

by Loumarie I. Rodriguez

Published:

Saturday, October 19, 2013 7:07 AM EDT

BRIDGEWATER-ROXBURY-WASHINGTON — The Region 12 Board of Education Building Committee viewed four presentations from architectural firms biding to build a new Pre-K to Grade 5 consolidated elementary school at a meeting on Thursday, October 10.

The four firms were Antinozzi Associates, The S/L/A/M Collaborative, Kaestle Boos Associates and Fletcher-Thompson. Each firm presented rough sketches of Region 12’s consolidated elementary school, based on the education specifications from the school board.

Each firm was given 30 minutes for a presentation and 15 minutes to answer questions from the committee.

Petina Killiany, the temporary consultant, representing the board, led most of the questioning.

According to an email from Superintendent Dr. Patricia Cosentino, the committee hopes to make a decision on a firm in the next couple of weeks.

All four firms have significant prior work designing elementary schools around the state. The firms presented ideas for the school and a plan of action to pass a referendum all three towns can agree on.

Each firm’s design for the new school included a multi-purpose room, a cafetorium, one space for a cafeteria and an auditorium.

Antinozzi Associates said its design would reflect a small town feel. The design would allow for a new parking lot and grades would be separated in different area around the school.

Southern exposure would bring in natural light. Break-out spaces would be created for informal learning periods.

“One thing that is a little bit different that we did was we really wanted to establish an accented entry and really formalize your approach to the new school,” the Antinozzi representative said..

Antinozzi’s approach to the referendum calls for the school board to first sense how aggressive it will have to be in campaigning the new school.

According to one of the representatives, the education specifications need to be simplified and school board members need to be ready to answer questions related to the cost and the value of the project.

He also suggested the referendum be aimed for April 2014.

The firm suggested community workshops to keep the public well informed on the project and stressed the importance of getting the community involved in order to remain transparent

Snapshots of what the project looks like, the schedule, pie charts and other material need to be accessible to community members to view details of the work.

Ms. Killiany asked why the firm did not put a cost estimator into its presentation.

Antinozzi representatives explained it’s up to the board to decide to be the contractor of the new school.

The S/L/A/M Collaborative team said the school should have a playful design so students can have an enjoyable experience in school.

“Good projects, well done, will reflect the community and nobody else’s,” said a representative of the firm.

During the presentation, committee members were able to choose certain topics they wanted the firm to focus on.

Committee member Tony Bedini chose referendum because he feels that it’s not focused enough.

The firm’s presenters presented five points they believe will create a successful referendum including, clarity of the project to understand the opportunities.

Committee member Peter Tagley chose understanding the region as the next topic.

Firm representatives said they believe Region 12 craves numbers and information. Engaging the community in the design process could help create a better understanding of the purpose of the new school.

The Engineer Record rated S/L/A/M the greenest firm in Connecticut and firm representatives talked about creating an energy-efficient school.

Kaestle Boos Associates specializes in elementary schools. A main issue addressed was security for the building.

“We have been doing a number of security projects,” a representative said.

Kaestle Boos suggested computer systems that lock down the classrooms. Cameras can be put in place to monitor all areas of the building, done in way so students are comfortable.

A main difference between Kaestle Boos’ design compared to the other firms is the central office for the elementary school would be located inside Shepaug Middle High School.

The representatives briefly explained their ideas for using the existing elementary schools in the three towns if the towns vote to consolidate.

Mr. Bedini did not like Kaestle Boos listing alternative ideas for the schools, feeling that is up to the three towns to decide.

Mr. Tagley disagreed and liked the firm’s attention to that detail.

Kaestle Boos’ reason for presenting the ideas was to make sure that all questions are answered in case the subject does come up.

Kaestle Boos’ strategy for the referendum would involve getting the administration on board and making sure all groups are involved.

The firm also stressed the importance of stressing that residents will save money with consolidation.

Fletcher-Thompson recommended having the referendum as early as possibly and thinks the board should aim for May 2014.

The firm’s estimated schedule includes starting construction April 2015 and opening the school January 1, 2017.

Out of the four firms, Fletcher-Thompson was the only firm to give a cost estimate of $32,000,000, which could be reduced to $27,850,200 if the board decides to cut down on square footage.

The design would involve more windows and layers of protection, according to one of the representatives.

“Let the sun shine in,” said a Fletcher-Thompson representative. “Natural light can have a great effect on how the building feels. The building I’m envisioning is outward looking.”

The plan would create a building that fits in with the local community but still have a modern feel.

Flexible spaces would be added and the building would be one story. Fletcher-Thompson wants to building close to the wetlands in order to enhance them.

“Enhancing the wetlands can make it become functional and educational,” said a representative. “It really becomes a central design focusing element for the entire design of the site and we got excited about it because we feel there are some opportunities here.”

Fletcher-Thompson said it has a 95 percent rate with referendums and tries to work closely with communities in order to understand residents’ concerns.

Region 12: BOE Approves Manager Position

by Loumarie I. Rodriguez

Published:

Saturday, October 12, 2013 7:07 AM EDT

BRIDGEWATER-ROXBURY-WASHINGTON — The Region 12 Board of Education, meeting Monday, October 7, approved a motion to hire a project manager to work on a plan to consolidate the region’s three elementary schools.

Initially the project manager will go over the plans of the consolidation plan.

The project manager would be hired until a referendum on the proposal. If the consolidation plan does not pass, the project manager’s services will no longer would be needed.

If the plan is approved, the project manager would continue working with the board.

“I had brought this [hiring a project manager] to a prior meeting and I’m not sure if everybody understood what I was asking for,” Superintendent Dr. Patricia Cosentino said.

Dr. Cosentino reported she hired a temporary consultant to attend a Thursday, October 10, meeting with four architects who are making presentations on designs for a pre-kindergarten to Grade 5 school to house students from all three elementary schools.

The consultant is helping with questions to ask and understand the matrix of the plans presented and will help the board to evaluate the architects.

“In order to get from here to there, you need to have all the pieces in place,” said board member Greg Cava. “If you are going to start looking at architects and start planning a construction project, then you need to have your manager on board and not at the end.

“You need to bring them in the very beginning, because there are many pieces that need to be planned in order to have a proper and successful process.”

Member Kelly Lott did not agree with the decision to hire a project manager before consolidation is voted on.

“It seems to me that it’s not proper to be spending money on architects, consultants, project managers for a building project that hasn’t been approved,” said Ms. Lott.

“Why don’t we have a referendum; if the voters say yes, then let’s spend the money and if they say no, we have spent a lot of money that’s going nowhere.”

Ms. Lott said the board has spent a lot of money on the pre-authorized ventures expenditures on land, plans and architects.

Member Tony Bedini explained that the numbers are needed from the architects to show the public what is going to be put into the new school and the layout of the plan.

“I don’t understand how you propose to get to the right number and not use any of those services [architects and project manager],” said Mr. Bedini.

“Do you want to go to the referendum and say we think the school is about $20 million, 30 or 49 or do we just pick a number? I think the public wants to know a little better.”

Mr. Bedini said if the board wants accurate numbers, professionals are needed.

Mr. Cava said he understands that certain board members want to kill the vote for the consolidation plan, but feels that they should do it responsibly.

Some board members questioned the purpose of hiring a temporary consultant.

“I felt it would be good to have someone there with this knowledge who represents us,” said Dr. Cosentino.

Member Peter Tagley, noting the board has a budget of about $21 million, asked if the money goes to local vendors.

He suggested creating a local vendor database to help people within Region 12 find work.

“We have a lot of guys that use the educational system with their kids,” said Mr. Tagley. “It seems to me it’s good public relations. The government does it, the state government does it and it gets people support.”

The concept would to advertise for electricians, plumbers, painters, handymen and other that live in the three Region 12 towns who are interested in being in the database.

A job ad would be put out to see if anyone listed in the database would be interested. The database would concentrate on smaller jobs.

Member Michael Sinatra, said that while the database is a good idea, it could add an extra step in the process of hiring.

He if board have heard complaints about the current system. He said proof of complaints could convince him to go along with the idea.

“One or two local people [vendors] said they would like to get some of the work,” said Mr. Bedini.

“It’s really important that we create a good public environment with people who live in the towns,” said Mr. Tagley. “I think it’s a good idea and I think there are people out there that would like to get some work done.

“The question is can we get to them? And my answer is sure we can.”

The board did not approve the repair project for Shepaug Middle High School, because the plan has not been thoroughly overlooked, despite being listed on the agenda.

“I don’t want to bring it here until it’s been overlooked properly and that’s why it’s not here tonight, because it’s better to have it correct,” said Mr. Cava. “I don’t have anything to tell you.”

Mr. Cava explained there is no date in place or time frame for the board or any members to talk about the scope of the repair work. He said it has to go through a process in order for it be correct and he does not want to waste the board’s time with further discussion until the details are in proper form.

He explained the Facilities Committee is still going over a few numbers. Members then will pass the numbers off to be approved by the bond counsel.

Dr. Cosentino reported that 797 students are enrolled in schools in Region 12 as of October 1.

The board unanimously approved a field trip to Quebec for students in Grades 8 through 12 and briefly discussed the subject of a senior taking a trip to Nepal to work closely with a doctor as her senior project.

Although it is not up to the board to decide if the trip is approved, Dr. Cosentino wanted to acknowledge the purpose of the trip, which is being finalized.