Minutes

Fayette County Board of Education

Work Session/Called Meeting

October 8, 2007

Committee members met at the Central Office of the Fayette Board of Education, at 7:00 p.m. on October 8, 2007. Mr. Mike Satterfield, Director of Facilities Services/Committee Chairman and Dr. John DeCotis, Superintendent, welcomed the members to the meeting.

Mr. Klaus Darnall, Construction Manager, updated the Committee on the FY 2005 Bond Building Program. Oak Grove Elementary School’s kitchen renovation is coming along ahead of schedule, with the exterior block wall and ceiling grid completed, as well as the kitchen’s quarry tile floor. The walk-in cooler and freezer have been installed, and other equipment has been ordered and has begun to arrive on site. Expected completion date is during February, 2008, or worst case scenario, at the end of the current school year.

Mr. Darnell further spoke on the progress of Inman Elementary School. Classroom concrete slabs are poured, as well as the administrative/media areas. The structural steel is 99% erected. The masonry for exterior concrete walls has begun. Door frames are being installed, and as well, plumbing is being put in the restrooms. This school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008.

For Elementary School #2 (on Tillman and Sandy Creek Roads), engineers have completed a topography survey, and civil engineers are working on the septic system. Architects have completed the schematic designs, which have been approved by the Department of Education. This school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2009.

Mr. Satterfield next talked about the Facilities Update projects that are occurring:

The summer 10-year plans and special projects have been completed and punched out.

Sandy Creek High School connections are being installed in order to connect the Tyrone city sewer system. The pump station will be completed in December.

During the fall/winter months, restrooms will be installed in the softball field clubhouses for McIntosh, Fayette County and Sandy Creek High Schools (after softball season ends).

The installation of AC units in the gymnasium at Sandy Creek High School is progressing; and

During the fall/winter months, the Department of Education will help us develop a new 5-year facility plan.

Dr. DeCotis updated the Construction Committee on the progress of the Community Advisory Committee (for redistricting). The Committee hopes to present to the Board of Education three options on October 29, 2007. Two possible options discussed were: 1) the redistricting of all 19 schools; and 2) involves the repurposing of East Fayette Elementary School for another school function, and moving the children from that district to three other schools. Conversation ensued on these options, since growth has not been as it was projected to be in our county due to the poor housing market. Dr. DeCotis stated that most likely, the Board would be voting on the subject before the December holiday break.

In addition, Dr. DeCotis spoke about the push to replace state property taxes with a flat-fee sales tax. He explained that this would take away a lot of our school system’s discretion of how taxpayer money is spent, and give that freedom to the State. Ramifications on our system could affect classroom sizes, elective classes offered in our schools (band, chorus, etc.), and the ability to hire essential personnel not funded by the State (i.e., school nurses, 1^st grade paraprofessionals, etc.). Two handouts were disbursed about different opinions on the flat-fee sales tax. The Committee thanked Dr. DeCotis for keeping them informed on these subjects.

The meeting was adjourned. Dr. DeCotis thanked everyone for coming and stated that he hoped they enjoyed the meeting.