Committee members present: Central office Staff present:
Jean Tremblay Pauline Plourde, Business Administrator
Jeff Hill Patrick Low, Superintendent
Reed Lieberman
Jo Anne Carpenter Public in attendance:
Jeff Stewart Paul Bousquet, Principal
Kathleen Kelley Keith Parent, Principal
Dennis Pednault

Consultant from Local Government Center: David Provan

6:00 p.m. . David Provan, Right Road Development Advisors, began his presentation with an overview of his qualifications. His presentation is courtesy of the Local Government Center. The Building Committee is under no obligation to utilize his services. The goal of tonight’s meeting is to get an understanding of:
• Getting organized
• Initial steps of a successful building committee
• Master Schedule
• Communication (internal and external)
• Project budget is dependent on delivery systems and team selection
• Building Process
• How to avoid problems

David urged us to identify the kind of project we want and measure our success by evaluating how it came out. Committee’s need to be watchful regarding bending to the “voter challenge” as there is always the possibility of getting a conventional building with a short term view. You can bring results over the long term that will lower the operating costs, utilities and maintenance cost and increase productivity and reduce absenteeism. He discussed high performance buildings and urged the committee members to become familiar with what this means. Subcommittees need to be established to discuss:
• Educational Specifications, Energy Function and Environmental issues
• Furniture and Equipment
• Community and Neighborhood Acceptance (Advocacy Groups

• Grant and Financing
• Move in plans

The committee then discussed what the project purpose might be:
• Safe systems and healthy building
• Increase student staff achievement
• Increase community achievement
• Building structure and HVAC sound and safe
• Reflect the communities commitment to education
• Serve future needs of the students and community
• Wow Factor

David discussed the different delivery systems and their benefits and short falls.
In summary, he offered his services to help us navigate this project.. He urged us not to move too fast and take the time to plan.

8:30 p.m. .The committee discussed the prior minutes of July 6 and June 22. The minutes of June 22 were amended to reflect the proper date of the next meeting. The minutes of July 6 were amended to reflect the proper background of the new board member and committee members warning to have an open mind and consider all options before arriving at a decision.

Jean Tremblay moved and Jeff Stewart seconded that the minutes for June 22 and July 6 be accepted as amended. Motion passed unanimously.

8:45 p.m. The committee members debriefed from the David Provan presentation.
They noted the need to explore other people that provide coaching and consulting through the building committee process. We will ask for help from:
• Ed Murdough, State Department of Education
• PSNH, Energy consultant
• Tim Sappington, architect with experience with high performance buildings
• Cindy Gibson, a GHS graduate, is at Rhode Island School of Design and may be able to help

We discussed the benefits of coaching for both the committee members, the selectmen, school board, citizen leaders and budget committee. The budget has $10,000 for such services.

We also discussed the need for focus group discussions. These should be facilitated, food should be provided to increase the number of people that participate. We want to ask the purpose and vision of the building project. We will discuss the options and ask for input on options, we will ask how success will be defined. We will determine the budget parameters.

We discussed the need to focus on planning. We also need to explore ways to defray the cost of the project, such as selling bricks, naming the school, grants and alumnae contributions.

Next meeting August 5, 6:00 p.m. at the Ed Fenn Library because we will explore the Ed Fenn project specifically. Every member is to review in detail the Jordan Barker Ed Fenn renovation recommendations. Jean Tremblay will ask the Gorham School Board whether they would support going forward with the Ed Fenn School first. Keith and Paul will discuss the results of the AVER demographic study at the next meeting.

Kathleen Kelley moved to adjourn the meting and Jeff Stewart seconded the motion. The motion passed and the meting ended at 9:45 p.m.