Planning & Design Meetings Facilities Steering Committee Meeting 10/7/2009 - MinutesGunn HS FACILITIES STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District 04 August 2009
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GUNN HIGH SCHOOL
Palo Alto Unified School District
FACILITIES STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
DATE: 07 October 2009, 1:30pm-3:00pm
SUBJECT: Gunn HS Facilities Steering Committee
ATTENDEES: See attached sign-in sheet (attached)
The following are the highlights of the meeting:
1. Tom Jacoubowsky (TJ) welcomed the committee and opened the meeting.
2. Architect Erwin Lee (EL) gave a brief recap of the comments from the BOE relative
to their approval of the Conceptual Design Phase. He indicated that the participation
by the teachers at the BOE meeting to discuss their needs and explain how the
current design reflects those needs was invaluable in securing the Board’s
approval.
3. EL opened a discussion on including AC for the new buildings and modernization:
EL noted that the BOE’s directive was that if it was good for the school then the
design team needed to figure out how to include it in the buildings. EL noted that
for the new buildings it was easy but for the existing buildings it would take
some effort and cost.
Tom Hodges (TH) agreed that the added cost of AC in the new buildings was
marginal. To add it to existing building was more difficult but the major cost was
operational.
EL asked if it’s a question of operational cost then where the District stands on
this. TH answered that the committee needs to help him gather data for the
District to model operational costs over a ten-year period.
It was asked whether or not a central plant would be a better alternative. TH
answered that at Paly a central plant was installed in 1972 as part of a major
expansion. In the case of Gunn he thinks an easier alternative is converting the
existing buildings for AC and that it should be done as a separate project to not
burden the modernization. He asked the committee to prioritize and think if they
would sacrifice the budget for future projects. Most of the committee members
indicated that it was a priority and that they would sacrifice the budget to include
AC at the existing buildings.
TH noted that heating loads for each building needs to be analyzed on a case
by case basis. The FSC committee then needs to determine whether or not to
proceed with converting all buildings or just a few. It needs to be understood
that due to the AC cost, some new work may move “below the line”.
It was asked whether the cost to add AC would include upgrading windows,
doors, walls and roof. TH answered that AC loads of each building would be
analyzed to determine whether improving the building shell was necessary.
Gunn HS FACILITIES STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District 04 August 2009
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Anne Jensen and others noted that the two warmest buildings are the Math,
Language and Science buildings. The buildings that don’t need it are the Gym,
the old Library, Buildings 81 and 82 and Music building as it may be removed.
TH said that he would look at getting a proposal from DLM to have an engineer
survey and prepare an analysis of the buildings for HVAC.
4. Jeanne Beck (JB) opened up a discussion on the need for computer labs at the
English and Math departments and on the use of teaching technologies.
She noted that currently the Math and English departments share a computer
lab but that from the new building it would be a distance away.
EL responded that one of the new classrooms at each floor was designed larger
and meant to be used as a computer lab.
JB responded that her assumption was that it would be difficult for a classroom
to double as a computer lab and that it really wanted to be separate.
TH said that at 14 classrooms per floor the building was large but that DLM
should test whether it was possible to add a lab and look at the cost as well.
It was requested that the lab not use power poles and asked if the latest
technologies have been considered. EL responded that DLM plans on using the
latest technologies for the classrooms and lab. Various members of the
committee gave their opinions on the available technologies for teaching. EL
noted that a collective vision is necessary on how technology will be used
campus wide and that it’s an ongoing project.
5. EL noted that the site is being looked at for better bicycle circulation and new racks
at the east side of the Gym should encourage traffic away from the car circulation
areas and the car entry making for a safer environment.
6. Public comment is made that the HC buses also pose a hazard during peak traffic
hours as they pick up students and cut off traffic making it necessary for pedestrians
to walk around them. Aimee Lopez responded that this issue is being considered in
a traffic study of the Miranda Avenue area. It’s an agenda item because 40% of
traffic is linked to drop-offs. The study will be available on-line and the link is on the
School District website.
7. Tom Jacoubowsky recapped the issues raised and settled at this meeting.
o Including HVAC at the new buildings has been decided on. Including HVAC in
the existing buildings has been made a priority and will be studied for its impact
on the construction budget and added operational costs.
o At the new Math/English Classroom DLM will see if it’s possible to add a lab at
each floor. A separate lab is convenient, accessible and accommodates future
growth in the departments. The cost impacts will be looked at it as well.
o New teaching technologies for the classrooms will be reconsidered to determine
whether or not we have enough flexibility for future growth.
o The site will be planned for ease of traffic circulation of pedestrians, bicycles,
cars and buses and that location of bike racks was critical.
Gunn HS FACILITIES STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District 04 August 2009
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8. Schedule:
Gunn High School Community Meeting will occur on Wednesday, Oct. 821th at 6:30
PM.
The next Monthly FPC meeting will be on Nov. 4th at 12:30 PM.
END
Prepared by Christopher Ades of Deems Lewis McKinley. Please advise if you feel that any of the above
items are inaccurate or need further clarification or detail.
cc: Attendees
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