Windham Southeast School District
Finance Committee Meeting – Tuesday June 8, 2021
5:00pm via Zoom Meeting
Members: Shaun Murphy – Chairperson, Michelle Luetjen Green, Jaci Reynolds, David Schoales
Board Recorder: Wendy Levy
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Agenda
1. Approval of Minutes
2. Academy School Addition project
Construction Bidder Prequalification recommendation from the Selection Committee to be reviewed by the Board
3. Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund (ESSER) grant application update
4. Endowment Fund update, Student Scholarship Awards
5. Recommendation to Board to Approve Warrants and Payrolls
6. Other
Cc.SM, BN 6.3.21
….
Note: These proposed minutes should be considered preliminary until they are approved by the
board at a future meeting.
WINDHAM SOUTHEAST SCHOOL DISTRICT (WSESD) FINANCE COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
REGULAR MEETING – 5PM
REMOTE LOCATION
DRAFT MINUTES
WSESD Finance Committee Members Present: Chairperson Shaun Murphy (SM), Michelle Luetjen Green (MG), Jaci Reynolds (JR)
WSESD Finance Committee Members Absent: David Schoales
WSESU Administrators Present: Andy Skarzynski (Superintendent), Frank Rucker (Finance Director)
Media Present: none
Others Present: Wendy M. Levy (Board Recorder)
CALL TO ORDER:
SM had technical difficulties with the online meeting platform and could not adequately lead the meeting. He appointed Frank Rucker to act as temporary chairperson for this meeting.
Frank Rucker called the meeting to order at 5:10pm.
II. ACADEMY SCHOOL ADDITION PROJECT
a. Construction Bidder Prequalification criteria and Advertisement
b. Interested Construction Bidder interview schedule
c. Proposed motion for Board consideration
Frank reviewed the statutes detailing the Board’s actions for the bidding process, including steps, procedures, deadlines, timelines, and bidder criteria.
Frank shared and reviewed documents from Stevens & Associates, and he noted how they are consistent with statute. Frank advised committee members to contact Stevens staff person Diane Abate with any technical questions about the project.
Frank reviewed additions to the project’s plans which address energy standards and sustainability, how those revisions happened, and the work resulting from the workshops with Building Green. Frank noted these revisions are not part of the state’s criteria—it was added to the bidder criteria during the workshops—and these criteria are not a requirement; they are a “plus” for prospective bidders. SM confirmed Frank’s reporting accurately represents the discussions during the workshops.
A discussion ensued on energy efficiency certification versus meeting energy efficiency standards.
Frank explained how the work done so far will lead to an advertisement seeking prequalification of bidders and how and where outreach will occur.
Frank reviewed the advertisement and its components.
Frank reviewed the Board’s next steps.
Frank reported he emailed a motion addressing this to the Board, and they will address it at their meeting under “New Business.” JR read the motion into the record for the committee members to review:
“I move that to ensure school construction projects are bid through a fair and open process and bids are received from responsible and qualified contractors that the board approve the prequalification criteria and advertisement thereof, for the Academy Addition/Renovation project as recommended by the construction bidder prequalification selection committee.”
III. DUMMERSTON BIOFUEL BOILER PROJECT UPDATE
Frank reviewed the history and progress on this project.
Frank shared a document, “Agreement for Consulting Services,” from Dynamic Integrations, LLC, who will help with the design-build on the pellet boiler installation and controls upgrade at the Dummerston School. Frank noted this company worked on the Academy School’s pellet boiler replacement. Frank reviewed the scope of the agreement, and explained the school’s control system.
The fees for this contract are $8,000. Frank noted he is pursuing funding for the project through Efficiency Vermont.
MG asked about the location of the pellet silos on the school’s campus, and noted the school is engaged in an outdoor learning project, which may affect the silo’s locations. Frank said he will coordinate with Dummerston School Principal Julianne Eagan.
IV. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND (ESSER) GRANT APPLICATION UPDATE
Frank announced the passage of a recent Congressional bill that will increase school funding.
Frank and Andy reviewed the administration’s discussions and work thus far on COVID-related federal funding, and money expected to arrive to the WSESD.
The meeting ended at 5:56pm and was not officially adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by Wendy M. Levy from minutes taken by Wendy M. Levy.
This represents my understanding of the above dated meeting. If you have any changes, please submit them at the next Finance Committee meeting.
