Untitled Document

Saratoga Community Consolidated School District 60C

Planning for the Future- Minutes of Building / Life Safety Advisory Committee – 11-22-05

Present: Gilfillan & Callahan Architects: Nikki Bridges, Steve Nelson
Board Members: Eric Rasmussen, Steve Barr, Ron Cingrani, Keith Jaeschke
School Personnel: Kathy Perry, Supt.; Russ Farmer, Principal; Liz Peterson, Asst. Prinicpal; Sally Hausken, 5th grade teacher

Advisory Committee Members: Mike Busdicker, Jeff Cole, Matt Eber, Anna Hansen, Cindie Hunt, Colin Monk, Mitch Nystedt, Pam Roth, Jeff Schimmel, Bill Chesareck, Martha Shugart, Kris Torkelson.

Kathy Perry explained the objective of the committee is to gain an understanding of the district’s current facility and to begin to develop future direction for the district. She explained that the committee would act in an advisory capacity to the School Board that will ultimately make the final decisions.

Nikki Bridges provided information on the history of Saratoga School District from 1993 to present. Drawings were provided of the current school facility with dates of construction. The 1993 Facility Master Plan was reviewed along with progress to date. The Master Plan has been completed accept for closing off the classroom wings. At this time we may want to consider amending the plan to take into consideration current needs and future growth.

Ms. Bridges then provided information on the current state of affairs with the district. She distributed a fact sheet to all present that provided a breakdown of the current uses of all rooms in the school facility. Ms. Bridges reviewed the items that have been identified on the Life Safety Survey as needing improvements. Those present requested cost estimates for the future life safety project. The committee also requested a tour of the facility at the next meeting. Recent work performed in the district was also reviewed including the Art Room and four room additions.

Steve Nelson with Gilfillan and Callahan informed the committee about attempts to purchase adjacent land. The district is not able to purchase adjacent land due to the land owners’ price per acre as well as desire to maintain the property along Route 47 for commercial uses. Since the district is unable to expand the acreage of the existing 24 acre school site, a plan needs to be established for completing the build out of the existing site.

Concerns that need to be addressed are accommodating additional enrollment and modifying the existing facilities. Mr. Nelson explained that we need to take into consideration the life of the existing school and the quality of the learning environment when making decisions regarding the facility.

Mr. Nelson opened the discussion up to the committee for brainstorming ideas. The following ideas were discussed:

Build brand new facility on another school site. The existing school site could be sold.

Take down the older portion of the current school and replace with a new addition as well as build on the available remaining acreage to accommodate future growth.

Planning for building additions should take into consideration the importance of maintaining green space.

Gym space and locker room space is something that should be addressed. As the enrollment increases the existing space will not be sufficient.

Improvements in the original building should take into consideration the possibility of changing classroom size and improving learning environment.

Improvements should take into consideration planning for safety and security of students.

A two story addition to the existing school could be built to address limited acreage.

Mechanical equipment for operations of the school could be placed in a second story or basement.

The main emphasis of a construction project should be to address the old building first.

Is another school site possible? Where?

The space in the teacher workroom and lunch area in the original building should be addressed.

The existing gym could be converted to a learning center / library and the library could be converted to classrooms or offices.

The asbestos in the original building should be addressed.

Mr. Nelson also asked the committee to consider the quality of the learning environment. The following was discussed:

The noise level in the building is significant due to wind and noise from cars and trucks on Route 47.

The rooms are extremely hot at times. Air conditioning should be added.

Additional storage space is needed in the classrooms.

The classrooms in the original building are relatively small.

The ventilation, lighting, and acoustics should be improved.

Mrs. Perry informed the committee that the next meeting will cover the topics of financing and asbestos removal.

Kathy Perry
Superintendent

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Created 4-3-06
Saratoga School Morris, Il. 60450