Property Meeting ��December 01, 2021�Mr. Jan Tong, Property Committee Chair
Facilities Master Plan
Property Committee Meeting
Agenda
Property Committee Meeting
Property Committee Meeting
Review of Suggestions and Feedback
Property Committee Meeting�Suggestions/Feedback
E-Mail #1
If the ultimate plan is to renovate GAC and then add additional space to house 9-12 in this building, has the cafeteria/auditorium space been considered? Currently our cafeteria is over crowded and adding 400 more students into the building will make a bad situation unfeasible.
Also, hallway space is a concern. A major issue is the density of students walking through the hallways during class changes. Has this special issue been taken into consideration?
My two cents is it would be most beneficial to replace the high school building rather than continually pour money into trying to update a building that is clearly not equipped for the needs of modern education.
E-Mail # 1 Response:
There will be many upgrades and improvements throughout the existing GAC facility as part of the 9th-12th grade expansion. Often times, adding additional eating areas throughout a high school can relieve overcrowding from the cafeteria. The added capacity created by building the new addition will also alleviate congestion in the existing corridors. Building a new high school would be the most efficient option but also the most costly. These options and more will be reviewed during the design process.
Property Committee Meeting�Suggestions/Feedback
E-Mail #2
This is a clear and thoughtful proposal. There is a lot to like. I think it’s a good idea to remove 6th grade from the elementary schools and place them with middle-school aged peers.
I am a bit worried, though, based on slide # 68 that there won't be AC at GAC for another..... 5 - 6 years. Please tell me I am wrong??? Or is there consideration about getting AC units into classrooms in the meantime, before major renovations are complete?
Also, as someone who just installed an air-to-air heat pump in my home, I hope serious consideration is being given to heat pumps to generate both heating and cooling. GAC might actually be a great candidate for 'horizontal loop' geothermal heat pumps. There is a potential to significantly lower energy demand (and thus costs) by making this upfront investment. Geothermal systems, from what I understand, can last up to 30 years or more before needing major servicing, and they possibly omit or significantly reduce the need for fossil fuels (there may also still be rebates for installing). Also, at least for GAC, if you are tearing up the fields anyway, it might be an opportune time to lay in the pipework necessary for geothermal, which could help offset the cost of installation.
Also, just wondering: If the GAC renovations span 2 years or so, how will that work in terms where we provide education for that time period?
E-Mail # 2 Response:
HVAC improvement are certainly needed at GAC. Currently only a few rooms have window air-conditioners. In the 9-12 grade option, once the building addition is completed, a full renovation of the existing school would occur. Alternatively, HVAC upgrades could occur ahead of a building expansion but would be much more intrusive in an already overcrowded school. Many different types of HVAC options will be considered. The focus will be on improved indoor air quality, energy efficiency, as well as short and long term costs of each system. A Geothermal system will be considered but will most likely be the most expensive to install.
Property Committee Meeting
Facilities Master Plan Moving Forward
Dr. Eric J. Becoats, Superintendent