Tidehaven ISD
District Program and Facilities Advisory
Planning Committee Meeting/Board Workshop
December 9, 2008 

Summary of Meeting 

The meeting started at 6:50 with Dr. Suzanne Wesson welcoming the members, guest, and board members.  There were 10 members, 1 guest and 2 board members present. 

Dr. Wesson discussed with the committee the visits that have been made by herself, board members, district maintenance and Debra Taska to districts who have recently constructed new facilities.  She asked Robert Dannels to share his opinions about some of these schools with the group.  Mr. Dannels said he was very pleased with Gillett Intermediate in the Kingsville ISD.  The foundation system was impressive, using pier and beam construction.  All the classrooms have windows, a feature that Mr. Dannels prefers.  The lights in the school are activated by motion sensors and the hallways are built to allow in natural light in combination with photocells, these are measures used to conserve energy.  The average bill for Gillette is $4,000 a month, compared to the Tidehaven campuses, which tend to be over $10000 per month, per campus.  The only feature Mr. Dannels expressed concern with is a flat roof system used by Gillette, these types of roofs are generally not the best choice for our area, due to the amount of rain we receive and the drainage involved. 

Another campus toured was Benavides Elementary in Benavides ISD.  This campus has an approximate enrollment of 250 students and cost six million dollars to construct.  Of the campuses toured, Benavides was the most economical in terms of construction and material used. 

Edna Elementary allowed our group to tour their newest facility as well.  This is a PK-5 grade campus, with an enrollment of 750.  The construction cost was $11 million.  Mr. Dannels and Dr. Wesson both expressed to the committee that they did not think the layout of this campus was as functional in structure as other facilities they had seen. 

Some features shared by all of these schools included wonderful libraries and science labs, well equipped for today’s academic needs.  Central cafeterias, where the food is prepared in one cafeteria and shipped to other campuses within the district, is a common feature in today’s construction.  The cafeteria staff at Gillette spoke very highly of this method.  This can be a cost saving measure for the district.  Security is a main focus in the construction of new schools, with most schools having a check in point for all visitors, doors that open from the inside only and methods to isolate areas of the campus, such as gates to restrict access. 

Dr. Wesson, Ms. Taska, Steve Clontz and Steve Rutledge visited Rice Consolidated on November 18.  They toured the new junior high that is presently under construction.  This is a 6-8 grade campus, with an enrollment of 177 students, with a construction cost of $16.9 million.  Rice has allowed for large classrooms, averaging between 800 and 1000 square feet.   

After the discussion of the tours and visits of these facilities, Dr. Wesson discussed with the committee the current status of the district’s involvement with LAN Walton, a project management firm the district has used in the past months to assist the Programs and Facilities Committee.  LAN Walton had proposed a 36 month timeline for the pre-bond, bond and construction phase.  This would include many aspects that the committee members, the board, Mr. Jones and Dr. Wesson have already invested many hours into, including, preparing and distributing surveys to faculty, staff and the public, evaluating the district needs, and determining a recommendation, all of which the committee has done.  The Board does not feel that it is necessary to back track.  LAN Walton has also said they do not bring an architect into the project until after a bond election, an issue the Board and the Committee did not agree with.  Due to these conflicts, the Board has decided to pay LAN Walton for the work they have performed to this point, but possibly seek other project management. 

Dr. Wesson then discussed some other issues with the committee, including the need for a financial advisor concerning bond elections.  The Board of Trustees has chosen Lewis Wilkes of Coastal Securities to perform these duties.  Coastal Securities does not receive payment unless the bond passes.  The district is also required to pay a filing fee of $9,500 to the Attorney General of Texas.  The district will also seek Bond Counsel. There are only four law firms in the state of Texas who offer this service. Renovation of the old high school (into a new junior high campus) will take place at a later time. 

When the committee moved to a question and answer session, concern over the present economy and its affect on the appraised values of property in the district for the coming year(s) was discussed.  The Board members present said this has been taken into consideration, although the exact impact is unknown.  Dr. Wesson explained, when asked, that the construction of the new facilities (a new high school and a new elementary) will take place at the same time, this will optimize labor costs. 

Dr. Wesson explained that a Request for Qualifications (for an architect) was placed in the local newspaper to run on December 10 and December 14.  This request is also on the Tidehaven website.  The deadline for application is December 30 at 2:30 p.m.  There is a point system used to rate each firm and used to decide in the hiring process.  The firm chosen will be asked to prepare preliminary designs based on the recommendation the committee presented the Board of Trustees.  At some point in the process, faculty and staff will be given time to discuss with the architectural firm their requests and wishes.  This process will give everyone the chance to be a part of the process, although, this does not imply that all wishes can be granted.  The goal of the Board is to have an architect chosen by early January. 

To prepare for the upcoming months, the committee members nominated Gerald Wendel to head a Public Relations Committee.  Mr. Scott Cheek was asked to head the Political Action Committee, whose primary goal is to raise funds for advertising.  The school district is not allowed to use any funds, employees, or board members in this process.  School employees and Board Members can not serve on any committees and can only discuss the facts involved with the procedure. 

The committee members decided to have their next meeting on January 6, 2009 in the High School LRC.  The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.