With the help of Peter Gisolfi Associates, the architectural firm recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee and engaged by the district, the team of volunteers from the community are working to develop a new bond proposal to put before the voters before the close of 1998. The initial review of the existing contracts between the formerly employed architectural firm, Wiedersum Associates, and the formerly employed construction management firm, Orifici and Associates, has been completed. Visits have been made to all of the schools in the Garden City Union Free School District and a complete review of the defeated bond has been accomplished. Now the committee is working on needs assessment and competitive reviews for a new construction management firm.

As part of the needs assessment process, an energy efficiency review was requested by the committee. Various performance contracting firms were supplied information by the committee to perform evaluations of the current energy efficiency of the schools. Ways to improve the current situation have been under discussion among committee members, but before any official recommendations are made, the review findings will be examined and these findings have only just begun to return to the committee. An evaluation of these findings and recommendations are expected to be incorporated into the next report made by the Ad Hoc Committee and will be presented to residents at a Board of Education meeting sometime in the near future.

The Ad Hoc Committee members are currently concluding their visits with all of the PTA directors, building principals, and administration members. Reviews of special education needs, technology needs, and all curriculum needs will be made with input from the aforementioned individuals. In order to meet the space needs to accommodate these program needs, the architectural firm has already begun to meet with the committee to review the site plans of the buildings and an analysis of each building is being examined. Existing reports and data, including code and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance considerations, SED application requirements, and SEQRA requirements are all being evaluated now. The opportunities and constraints of the site are also being considered as lists for space requirements are compiled.

Peter Gisolfi Associates have promised to develop plans based upon staff and administrative lists, Ad Hoc Committee recommendations, and the input of Focus Groups, which the Ad Hoc Committee would like to begin building. These groups would be formed on a school-by-school basis and would include parents, teachers, and administrators. The groups will meet with the architectural and engineering firm once before school starts and every month following the initial meeting. The firm has also promised to develop alternative plans, affording more flexibility to meet the demands of the community.

In order to achieve community support for the bond, the Ad Hoc Committee is seeking input and involvement from the POAs, the PTA, SEPTA, students in the schools, and residents in the community. As Peter Gisolfi and Associates moves toward the drafting process, submission to NYSED will need to be made, and is expected to take place in early to mid-September. The demographics study requested from BOCES was expected by the end of last month, and should be made available to residents shortly. These figures will play a key role in the development of the plans, as the projected increase of the student body was the inspiration for the additions that were a large part of the original master plan.

Residents, students, and staff are all encouraged to share their ideas and comments with the committee as it moves toward developing plans with the architect and begins to narrow its search for a construction management firm. Letters can be addressed to the Ad Hoc Committee and sent in care of the Garden City Union Free School District to the Administrative Offices at 56 Cathedral Avenue in Garden City. Some of the issues currently being reviewed are: information flow, school layout and flow, computer/technology issues, science labs, athletic space, library upgrades, music and art programs, and health and safety issues.

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for July 15 in the Administration Building, which will begin at 8:15 p.m.