WALTHAM SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE Waltham, Massachusetts MINUTES

March 27, 2017

The Waltham School Building Committee convened at 5:30 p.m. at Waltham High School. Present were the following members: Mayor McCarthy, Drew Echelson, John Frassica, Paul Maiorano, Greg DeMeo, George Frost, Nadene Stein, Fabrizio Caruso, Donald Cusano, John Pinzone, Amy Brown and Colette CaseyBrenner. Paul Centofanti, David King and Joseph Pedulla were not in attendance. Also present were William Cunniff and Karlis Keuten from NV5 and Lorraine Finnegan from SMMA. Minutes of the Meeting Held on March 13, 2017

VOTED: On motion of Mr. Frassica, seconded by Dr. Stein, to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 13, 2017. All agreed.

Stigmatine Update

Mayor McCarthy informed the Committee the stand-still agreement, which has been in place between the City of Waltham and the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers Property, has been extended to May 1, 2017. During this period of time it is agreed that the property will not be transferred or sold to any other parties.

Communication Regarding Educational Plan/Update

Dr. Echelson and Mr. DeMeo have been attending, and will continue to attend, PTO meetings to talk about the status of the high school project and respond to questions from parents and staff. Dr. Echelson and Mr. DeMeo prepared an Op-Ed piece for the News Tribune and shared it with the Committee for feedback. Mayor McCarthy pointed out the consultants working on the high school project are nationally recognized experts in the field of education, who work consistently with the MSBA, and this should be included in the communication. Ms. Finnegan added that David Stephens of New Vista Design is already working with staff to prepare for the new high school plan and to establish a relationship with the programs to the current industry. Mayor McCarthy stated additional testing has been done at the Fernald Property and a contract is in place for an archeological dig. Any pending issues at the Fernald site are being addressed. Dr. Echelson reiterated that both the Building Committee and School Committee have stated their preferred site option is the Stigmatine Property. Ms. Casey-Brenner suggested the op-ed emphasize the considerable amount of disruption that will be felt by students and staff and the lengthy construction timeline if the current site is selected for the new high school. Ms. Brown inquired about outside organizations who use the high school facilities. A brief discussion took place and Mr. Pinzone estimated that forty organizations use the facilities repeatedly during the course of a year. The Mayor informed the Committee that only two individuals are authorized with the legal rights to sell the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers Property, Most Reverend Father Maurizio Baldessari and Father Robert White. The City Council has authorized eighteen million dollars to purchase the site for the purpose of open space, educational use or a cemetery. The Committee agreed to provide two separate Op-ed pieces to the newspaper, one on the educational plan and the other on the sites.

MINUTES

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March 27, 2017

Communication Regarding Educational Plan/Update

Dr. Echelson and Mr. DeMeo spoke about the twenty or more projects currently underway with students at the high school. A project-based learning expo will take place at Waltham High School on May 9, 2017. The Superintendent and Mr. DeMeo continue to meet with students to discuss and gather their feedback on the education plan.

Preferred Schematic Report (PSR) Update

Dr. Echelson pointed out that enrollments continue to increase each year. The Committee reviewed some enrollment information from Mr. Frost that included the NESDEC projections and actual enrollments. Mr. Frost pointed out that growth at the high school has accelerated significantly over the last two years, particularly in the ELL and CVTE classes. Enrollment growth is typically seen at the elementary level, however the reversal is true in Waltham, where significant growth is being experienced at the high school. Mr. Frost offered to request a three to four year projection from NESDEC to share with the MSBA, but his sense is the MSBA prefers to receive October 1 enrollment data. Dr. Echelson asked if there is a window with the MSBA to advocate for a higher build number. Ms. Finnegan responded the MSBA is not usually open to changing the build number once it has been provided and would prefer to meet the Board with a holistic approach that includes a PSR update, enrollments and status of sites. VOTED: On motion of Mr. Pinzone, seconded by Mr. Frassica, to authorize Dr. Echelson and Mr. DeMeo to contact the MSBA to schedule a bundled meeting on the PSR, enrollment and site status. All agreed. Mr. Cunniff, Dr. Echelson and Mr. DeMeo are meeting bi-weekly to discuss the Preferred Schematic Report. The design team is generating data collection and utility costs and may have a PSR in three to four weeks.

Other Business ADJOURN

Mayor McCarthy will have schematics available at the next meeting. VOTED: On motion of Mayor McCarthy, seconded by Mr. Pinzone, to adjourn at 6:21 p.m.

Marian K. Parrella Clerk