OPERATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
5937 Cove Road, N.W.
Roanoke, Virginia 24019
Phone: (540)562-3800 Fax (540)562-3988
www.rcs.k12.va.us
ROANOKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MEETING
January 6, 2010
Members Present: Drew Barrineau, Jerry Canada, Mike Stovall, David Wymer, Fuzzy Minnix, Dr.
Lorraine Lange, Penny Hodge, Dr. Martin Misicko, Dennis Epperly, and Chris Bedard
Also Present: Brenda Chastain, Darlene Adams, Cindy Perdue, Chris Lowe, Brian Weeks, David
Atkins, Jeff Terry, Merry McKissick—Roanoke County Public Schools Administration
Richard Turner—WBHS
Ellen Walton—MPES
Jodi Poff—CSES
The Construction Committee meeting was called to order at 7:00 a.m. by Dr. Martin Misicko, Chairman.
Approval of the September 2, 2009, Minutes
Mr. Barrineau made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 2, 2009, Construction Committee
meeting, with no changes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wymer. The motion passed unanimously.
Change Orders for CSES, GVES, & WBHS Renovations
Dr. Misicko presented change orders for renovation projects at GVES, CSES, and WBHS, totaling
$151,305. There were no change orders for MPES. A contingency has been put in all the renovation
projects to cover the amounts of change orders. It was noted that asbestos removal is coming up in all
the renovation projects. The individual change orders amounts are as follows:
$28,407
31,964
90,934
GVES
CSES
WBHS
Mr. Wymer made a motion to approve the change order with funds coming from each school’s Major
Capital Contingency Fund. Mr. Barrineau seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Technology Requests for Renovations
Dr. Misicko reminded the committee that in the September meeting, a discussion was held regarding
providing technology to the renovation projects. It was decided at that time to discuss information that
was to be provided from the Information Systems office at the next Construction Committee meeting.
Jeff Terry distributed his report detailing costs of installing new technology at WBHS, GVES, CSES, and
MPES. The elementary schools follow the template of other elementary schools that had previously been
renovated, and WBHS follows the template of NSHS’s renovation.
Some funds had already been allotted for technology. The remaining deficit total is $1,665,823 before the
discounted rate is applied. If an order is placed prior to January 15, 2010, RCPS will realize a discount of
$107,040 for Active Boards pricing, reducing the requested amount to $1,558,783.
Mr. Terry explained that the wiring cost is included in the base bid. All hardware and networking will be
upgraded, to include coaxial cable in each room for the four schools. There are four drops added per
room in the elementary schools.
Some elementary schools will need replacement of older Active Boards that are nearing warranty
expiration. Normally the warranty period is three years; however, since we have two technicians who are
Promethean certified, our warranty is a five-year period. The original Active Boards can be used for
parts. Jodi Poff, principal at CSES, stated that the PTA purchased Active Boards at CSES so that every
classroom had an Active Board.
Mrs. Hodge stated that the requested $1,558,783 would come from the Major Capital Reserve upon
approval of various items at the next School Board meeting. Mr. Canada made a motion to approve the
allocation of $1,558,783 from the Major Capital Reserve to provide for technology in the schools being
renovated. Mr. Stovall seconded the motion. It passes unanimously.
MPES Walking Track Discussion
Dr. Misicko introduced a discussion of the new MPES walking track, which would be built for PE classes
for the students as well as for people in the community. This track was not included in the original design
for the renovation project. The estimated cost for installation is between $15,000 and $20,000. Funding
is requested from the contingency account for the MPES renovation project.
The original contingency amount for MPES is $439,831. Dr. Misicko stated that he felt confident that the
$20,000 could easily be absorbed within that amount. He asked the committee’s permission to install the
walking track in the spring.
Mr. Stovall moved to grant permission to install the walking track in the spring, with the cost coming from
the MPES contingency account. Mr. Canada seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Dr. Misicko reported that on the previous day he was informed that due to the renovations, the existing
playground at MPES that was installed in 2001 would need to be moved over to the track area. The
estimated cost to move the playground is $28,000. This work must be done by a company that is certified
to move the playground. In comparison, a new playground would cost approximately $40,000.
The committee decided to table this topic until the next Construction Committee meeting.
CSES Geothermal Discussion
Dr. Misicko stated that the original design for the geothermal field at CSES was for 300’ wells to be
drilled. Due to the soil composition and water retention, the drilling has been successful only to a depth of
200’. The walls collapse when drilling exceeds 200’. The contractor informed him that more wells would
need to be drilled than were in the original design specs.
At this time, the project is cost neutral. Dr. Misicko reported that he had spoken to the drilling contractor
and told him that he agreed with drilling additional wells but that we would not pay any additional money
for them. The drilling company agreed. The design was corrected to reflect more wells at a 200’ depth at
the same cost as the original number of 300’ wells.
Dr. Misicko stated that Martin Bros. Contractors, Inc., may request additional money up to $30,000 for
asphalt and grass to refurbish the ground surface in the area near the track.
The topic of the maintenance schedule for Bogle Field arose. Dr. Misicko explained that two athletic
directors have been trained to maintain the turf and have been doing a good job for over a year. After
some complaints were made regarding the condition of the surface, he asked Mr. Epperly to prepare a
report on the possibility of training the four members of the Maintenance Department’s landscaping crew
to perform weekly maintenance of the field, thus relieving the AD’s of that responsibility.
It was brought up that snow had not been removed from the field prior to the NHS-CSHS football game.
Dr. Misicko explained that the groomer that we purchased to maintain the field did not have snow
removing capability. He will investigate methods of snow removal and inform the committee at a future
meeting.
MCES Status Update
Dr. Misicko reported that a preconstruction meeting is scheduled for January 15 with G & H Contracting,
Inc. We are moving ahead with the project, and he anticipates groundbreaking in early spring.
Project Updates
Brian Weeks gave the following updates on renovation projects:
MPES – The slab has been poured in the administrative addition. Work in the kitchen addition has been
started. Some design issues have arisen, but they are working through them. Mechanical and electrical
work is continuing in the existing building, and bulkheads are being installed. Geothermal field wells have
been drilled, and they are still working on getting the site utilities in.
WBHS – The slab has been poured in the administration addition. Footings are complete in the cafeteria
addition. Excavation is ongoing for the gym addition. The annex gym is being converted to classrooms.
In the existing building, they are continuing with mechanical and electrical work. The stadium restrooms
and concession areas have been gutted.
Dr. Turner reported that some of the roofing work has been done. He stated that the antennas have been
removed from the roof. They will be reinstalled after the roof is completed.
Chris Lowe gave the following updates on renovation projects:
GVES – The footers are in for the new front addition for the music, art room, guidance, and administrative
offices. The slab will be poured when the weather breaks, followed by laying the block. Block has been
laid 1 1/2 stories high for the 2-story rear addition that will house classrooms. All drywall is complete in
the downstairs interior. Horizontal units will be installed this week, with the vertical units to be installed
next week. He estimated a time frame of four to five weeks for six downstairs classrooms to be ready.
Dr. Misicko noted that the original flooring was terrazzo, and the design specified cleaning and refinishing
the terrazzo. A lot of large cracks in the terrazzo were discovered so vinyl composition tile was
substituted, resulting in a credit. Another credit was realized when the original rubber insulation fiber was
changed to fiberglass insulation. He also stated that a new play area will be created.
Dr. Misicko stated that the renovation projects are proceeding on time.
CSES – The studs are up in the small hallway wing, and drywall is being installed. The construction is
catching up on the time lost due to asbestos abatement in that wing. The mechanical units will be
installed next week, followed by tile installation.
There are some issues with the rear area due to the weather. They have moved the sewer line and storm
water line and will backfill the area when the weather permits. A new bridge has been installed for the
bus parking lot on the righthand side of the road as you enter the site before the geothermal field. The
new kitchen and cafeteria addition is running a little behind schedule. The contractor cannot begin that
addition until all the backfilling and bridgework have been completed.
After more soil is brought in and the pad is poured, the work will begin on the footers. The contractor is
confident that they will be able to make up lost time when the weather permits. He stated that the
classrooms in the small hallway should be ready in mid to late February.
Dr. Misicko stated that the contract guarantees that the projects will be complete by January, 2011. The
new additions to the elementary schools are supposed to be complete for the opening of the 2010-2011
school year.
Miscellaneous
State Championship Signs – Dr. Misicko stated that there was an interest expressed for obtaining signs
indicating the NHS football state championship. Dr. Lange explained that she would like to have signs
made for all of the schools that have won state championships. She asked Dr. Misicko to contact the
schools and provide a list of those schools that had won state championships.
Dr. Misicko mentioned that VDOT could provide the signs but that it may take six months to acquire them.
He stated that we could pay for the signs and install them.
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FLES Roof Collapse Update – Dr. Misicko reported that currently students are eating lunch and having
PE class in their classrooms while the cafeteria roof that collapsed during the holiday break is being
repaired. The cafeteria roof has been demolished and removed. In the process of redesigning the new
roof, it was discovered that some of the weight bearing walls will have to be re-erected. The permit has to
be obtained through the county. He estimated that it would take six weeks to two months to complete.
Mr. Canada asked who the architects were and that he felt that there was a critical design failure in the
original plans. Dr. Misicko reported that the original contractor is no longer in business, and the architect
is deceased. He explained that ultimately the building commissioner is responsible going back to 1997
when it was inspected and approved to pass the building code in effect at that time.
Mr. Minnix asked Mrs. Hodge about the additional cost of food preparation, delivery, and serving in the
interim before the completion of the cafeteria and new roof. She said that we can bill the insurance
company for the additional costs incurred.
Mr. Wymer commended the Construction Office and Maintenance Department for the great job they did
promptly when the roof collapsed over Christmas break. He also expressed appreciation to Dr. Lange for
management of the situation and for putting plans in place to provide meals for the students upon their
return to school without interruption. He also felt that the FLES administrators and staff performed well,
were very positive upon the reopening of school, and communicated a positive attitude to everyone. Mr.
Wymer additionally commended Mrs. Hodge for protecting our interests by promptly contacting our
insurance adjuster to be on site the day following the roof collapse.
Mr. Wymer felt that Channel 10 was managing the information flow and requested a weekly update on the
RCPS web site to update the community on the progress of the roof repair. Dr. Misicko said he will work
with Chuck Lionberger to create a link with weekly updates.
Dr. Misicko reported that the community support was evident during this crisis. He said that someone
from Richfield Retirement Center contacted us and offered use of their kitchen if needed.
Mr. Stovall asked for construction updates to be distributed today, and Dr. Misicko said he will
disseminate this week’s construction updates before the end of the day.
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MVES Walking Track Repair – Mr. Canada said he noticed that wire grass along the walking track is
damaging the surface. He requested that we maintain the asphalt surface of the walking track and felt
that the PTA should not have to pay for sealing it.
Dr. Misicko asked Mr. Epperly to do a survey of the walking tracks at the school in the spring and report
back to the committee on his findings and recommendations for maintaining the schools’ walking tracks.
**************
Hearing no other items for discussion, Dr. Misicko adjourned the meeting at 7:55 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________
Secretary
___________________________________
Chairman