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
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.”
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.
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.”
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