2015 FEASIBILITY STUDY MEETING MINUTES S-H4
F04-
clerks office
From: barbara bard
Sent: Friday, December 04, 2015 11:57 AM
To: Anthony Suffriti;Anthony Suffriti; Cecilia P. Calabrese; Cecilia Calabrese; Christopher C.
Johnson;Christopher C.Johnson; Dennis Perry; Dennis J. Perry; Donald M. Rheault;
Donald Rheault;George Bitzas;George Bitzas;George Bitzas;Gina M. Letellier;Gina
Letellier;James P. Cichetti;James Cichetti;Joseph Mineo;Joseph Mineo; Paul Cavallo;
Paul C. Cavallo; Robert E. Rossi; Robert Rossi
Cc: Richard Theroux
Subject: FW: Feasibility Study Committee Minutes
Attachments: Feasibility Study Committee Meeting minutes Nov 19 15.pdf
Make it a Neat day!
Barbara A. Bard
Administrative Assistant
Agawam City Council
36 Main Street
Agawam,MA.01001
(413) 726-971.6
(413) 726-9717 fax
bbard agawam.ma.us
From: Alexis Ferioli [mailto:Aferioli@agawampublirschools.org]
Sent: Friday, December 04, 2015 10:58 AM
To: barbara bard
Subject: Feasibility Study Committee Minutes
Good morning Barbara,
Attached are the minutes from the last meeting of the Feasibility Study Committee. Please share with the City
Councilors.
Thank you and have a nice weekend.
-A1 xrs,r'eHOII
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
SCANNED
Agawam School Committee
Feasibility Study Committee
November 19, 2015
Mr. Sapelli called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Superintendent's Conference Room.
Present: R. Fernandes, S.Reed, S. Russell, C. Salomao, P.Cavallo,R. Rossi, W.Rua, L. Placzek, A. LeClair,&R.
Clickstein
Feasibility Study Architects,Habeeb&Associates: Steve Habeeb, Elizabeth Lewis,Tamara Macuch, &Jack Shea
Absent: D. White& community representative,L. Galarneau
Mr. Sapelli began welcoming everyone and introducing those present.
Next, Mr. Habeeb said he realizes that construction of a new Early Childhood Center is not a given. Therefore,he
provided a list of nine(9)questions for members of the Feasibility Study Committee to review prior to the meeting that
day. These questions would be used to frame the discussion around the perception of the level of community support for
the project.
Next, Mr. Sapelli reviewed questions concerning leadership,political structure,and community concerns regarding
construction of a new Early Childhood Center. In his review,he noted that the present ECC building opened as a
temporary facility in 1994 with an addition to the building in 2000. However, 3 years ago the preschool became
overcrowded,which resulted in two (2) classes being moved to James Clark Elementary School. Because Clark School
became the home for more specialized classes, the two preschool classes were moved to the Clifford Granger Elementary
School. As a consequence of this move,Granger School Science,music, and art teachers do not have classrooms,but
rather utilize carts on which to move their teaching materials from classroom to classroom. Mr. Sapelli also explained
that in 2010 the district submitted a Statement of Interest(SOI)to the MSBA for a new high school that would also house
an early childhood center. This request was denied as well as subsequent SOI's for a new high school beginning with the
2013-2014 school year. In addition,an SOI for renovations to the high school was also denied.
Mr. Habeeb pointed out that some districts have been successful by submitting an SOI for a combination Preschool and
Kindergarten building. However,that approach would take at least 5 years for approval. Committee members agreed
that 5 years was too long to wait,as conditions are presently too overcrowded.
Next,Mr. Rossi said he investigated the blighted property at 603 and 611 Mill Street and spoke with members of the
family who own the property, which is approximately 5 acres of land. He noted that the owners seemed willing to sell
the land to the town in order to construct a new preschool. He estimated that the total value of both houses on the land
would be approximately$270,000.00. Mr. Habeeb said he would look at the parcel of land to ascertain if it would house
a one-level structure.
Mr. Cavallo and Mr.Rossi both agreed that combining preschool and kindergarten within one structure would be the
better approach not only to help alleviate overcrowded conditions at the ECC but also at the four elementary schools.
A lengthy discussion then took place during which the next steps in the project were reviewed. Mr. Sapelli explained that
the School Committee and Mayor would need to approve the proposed new school first, and then it would go to the City
Council for that group's approval noting that 8 out of 11 votes would be needed for approval. Although the Mayor and
City Councilors all see the value of the project,the major concern will be if the Town can afford another project,as it can
only bond$10 million dollar per year. Also discussed were strategies to gain support for the project. It was the
consensus of the group that a consistent, positive message must be shared with teachers, parents, and the community-at-
large. Suggestions to do that included school committee televised meetings,PTO meetings, forums, as well as Connect
Ed, and Connect City automated messages. Mrs. Rua said she would like to hear from the elementary principals after
they speak to their Kindergarten teachers about possibly combining the preschool and Kindergarten classes in one
structure. She also noted that another school will require more services such as a cafeteria, custodian,and school busses.
Agawam School Committee
Feasibility Study Committee
November 19,2015
Page 2
At the conclusion of discussion, it was the consensus of the group to conduct a workshop with the entire school
committee so they could gain more information about the proposed project. Mr. Habeeb and his associates will attend
this workshop along with the elementary principals. The workshop will take place on Tuesday,December 8,2015, at 6
p.m. prior to the regular school committee meeting, which begins at 7 p.m., and will take place in the Doering School
library.
There being no further business,the subcommittee meeting adjourned at 5:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Alexis Ferioli, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent& School Committee