Building Committee Meeting Minutes ~ September 2, 2025

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Board of School Commissioners

Building Committee Meeting Minutes

September 2, 2025

 

Committee Members Present: Stephanie Stoodley, Chair Jen Rondinone   Committee Members Not Present: Courtney Collins Whitcomb Lauren Weiss   Other Board Members Present: Cathy Solsaa, Christina Sweet, Karen Bossi, Marybeth Lennox-Levins

Also Present: Pam Reed, Superintendent Bianca McKeen, Assistant Superintendent Glenn Scott, Director of B,G&T Ted Plemenos, CFO

 

Call to Order

Commissioner Stoodley called the meeting to order at 5:01 pm.

 

Roll Call

As noted above.

 

Approval of the Agenda

Motion by Rondinone/Solsaa to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried.

 

Public Input

No members of the public were present. A letter from a community member was received by email prior to the meeting and will be addressed as part of the agenda.

 

Agenda Items  

Director of Building, Grounds, Maintenance, and Transportation, Glenn Scott, gave updates as follows. The presentation slides are attached.

 

Summer Project Review

 

RMS & RIS Stormwater Project

Mr. Scott reported that a stormwater drain has been installed on the Church Street side of RIS, and a stormwater catch basin was replaced on the Grove Street side of RMS. Mr. Scott informed the committee that Mountainview Earthworks did a great job on these projects. There is still some paving to be completed on Grove Street. He noted that the catch basin was an unexpected project, but there was money in the budget to cover the expense (around $15,000).

 

 

RHS & STC Stormwater Project

Mr. Scott reported that the RHS-STC stormwater project has been completed. It will become a grassy knoll, but has a catch basin underneath. The system will trap runoff from the parking lot, filtering out grease, oil, dirt, and other debris, before entering the waterway. This was a state funded and operated project, where RCPS is now required to spend 10% of the total project budget on improvements. There are projects planned next summer that will fulfill this requirement. In response to a question from Commissioner Rondinone, Mr. Scott shared that the catch basin filters will need to be serviced (cleaned) annually.

 

RHS Lifeskills Classroom

Mr. Scott showed photos of the completed RHS Life Skills classroom, which moved the Life Skills program in-house rather than continuing to rent additional space. The classroom, now furnished with a kitchenette, washer/dryer, and storage, will also be available for use by World Language classes, as well as a laundry facility available to students that might not otherwise have access. This project was funded with Title IV funds (well-rounded education). Installation was performed locally by facilities staff. RHS is looking into purchasing some movable tables that are wheelchair accessible for this classroom (not funded by title grants).

 

STC Auto Tech Classroom

The STC Auto Tech classroom is almost complete, with new paint on all surfaces (walls, ceiling, floors), a new lift, and a hole in the cement floor prepared for the new scissor lift that will be installed soon.

 

Northeast & Northwest Repairs

Mr. Scott reported that at Northwest the walkway to the rear entrance and playground was paved, creating a much smoother and safer surface for everyone. This is the path that is used for student dismissal. He also noted that there was masonry work and a new wall built at Northeast. Concrete work was not able to be done, but will be worked on throughout the year during breaks (maybe April break).

 

Lead Test Results

The lead test results were reviewed by Mr. Scott. All schools have been tested with no findings in three buildings: STC, RISl, and PPLC. Remediation was required at six buildings: RMS (3 faucets), RHS (6 faucets), NE (6 faucets), ASC (3 faucets), and Grove St (1 faucet). These tests came in at the lowest threshold that requires remediation (4 ppb), and Vermont has one of the strictest lead thresholds compared to other states.  Remediation options are: (1) replacing faucets, (2) taking faucets out of service, and (3) adding point of use filters. Four faucets at NE were not being used and have been taken out of service (turned off). They will be removed next year. A filter has been added to the faucet at Grove St. All other faucets have been replaced. The state requires re-testing of the replaced and filtered faucets, which is in the works.

 

Bus Replacement (consent agenda item)

Mr. Scott reviewed that every year money is budgeted (about $280,000) to replace buses (older buses are then sold). This rotation keeps the fleet updated and helps minimize costly maintenance and repairs. To ensure compliance with Vermont competitive bidding laws, the district utilized cooperative purchasing services offered through Sourcewell, a nationally recognized cooperative purchasing program. The contract was awarded to IC Bus and locked in pricing until December 2027. The contract specs include cameras as well as AC, which is now standard on buses. The cost of one replacement is $140,695 and the cost of two buses is $281,390. Mr. Scott will recommend to the Board in the September consent agenda that the district purchase one bus for now. A second bus may be purchased if the budget allows later in the year. In response to a question from Commissioner Solsaa, Mr. Scott noted that this is about the same price as last year. Lettering will cost $300-$400.

 

RIS Fence (consent agenda item)

As Mr. Scott has mentioned in previous meetings, the Church St playground fence needs to be replaced. The city has been replacing sidewalks with funds from a VTRANS grant, which will include the sidewalk that runs along the RIS playground on Church St. The hope was to align the two projects this summer. However, the city didn’t make it to Church St as planned this summer and the updated timeline is unknown. The fence needs to be replaced for safety (there is a temporary construction fence there now). Mr. Scott reviewed the fence bids that came in, and will recommend moving forward with Middlebury Fence at a cost of $22,400 and an installation timeline of October 2025. This recommendation will be in the September consent agenda for the Board’s consideration. Mr. Scott has asked the city to remove the tree stumps so that the fence can be installed.

 

RHS Student Parking Fence

Commissioner Stoodley read a letter from neighbor, Lisa Coombs, concerning fencing at the back of the RHS student parking lot (see attached). The committee, Mr. Scott, Superintendent Reed, and Assistant Superintendent McKeen, discussed whether or not a fence is a necessity for the District, as well as the potential costs of installing a fence (approximately $35,000 plus tree and brush removal). The conclusion was that a fence is not a District necessity at this time, though the District values and is committed to being a good neighbor. The Committee asked Superintendent, Pam Reed, to respond to Ms. Coombs.

 

Alumni Field Lights

Mr. Scott reported that lights at Alumni Field need to be replaced. He received a package deal price for replacing the fixtures with LED lights ($210,000), which will produce some cost savings in electricity. This project was budgeted for, however, replacing the existing bulbs ($10,000-$15,000) will produce a greater cost savings than the savings generated from running LED lights, given the minimal usage. LED fixtures could be considered in the future, allowing more evening events (track and field and lacrosse), but the district will replace the current bulbs for now.

 

The committee also discussed the possibility of paving the access walkway from the Gleason Road parking lot into the track in the future.

 

Next Meeting: The next Building Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 from 5:00-6:00 pm.

 

Adjournment

Motion by Rondinone/Solsaa to adjourn the meeting at 5:59 pm. Motion carried.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Bethany Sprague

Board Recording Secretary