Indoor Air Quality

Question: Does indoor air quality mean that all buildings will be air conditioned? Will all rooms be below 80 degrees Fahrenheit when the work is done?
Answer: Implicit in the bond planning effort to address indoor air quality is the intent to control climate and establish balanced temperatures throughout each facility. Climate control implies that during warm or cold climates moisture levels will be adjusted to inhibit contaminant growth. Drawing moisture out of rooms during periods of warm climates will reduce temperature levels. No specific temperature level has been established, however, the comfort of individuals, as well as uniform and comfortable rooms throughout each facility is the goal of the upcoming bond construction. Top of Page

Question:Do air quality issues make Pike Lake Elementary a top priority? Will air quality issues be addressed at Highview Middle School?
Answer: Air quality issues and improvements will be addressed at all District owned schools. As construction timelines are established, those schools which have experienced significant problems over recent years related to air quality problems, such as Pike Lake Elementary, will have top priority. Top of Page

Question: Have indoor air quality standards been established? Are there construction standards for ventilation? Will previous work done by the District Indoor Air Quality Committee be used as part of standards development?
Answer: Indoor air quality standards will be developed by the District Indoor Air Quality Committee based on previous work done by the District Indoor Air Quality Committee, recommendations made by the Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA), and standards established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Top of Page

Question: How will the $16 million designated for bond referendum indoor quality improvements be allocated to buildings?
Answer: Bond money dedicated for indoor air quality improvements will not be allocated to buildings. Cost of improvements at each site will be dependent on many variables. Improvements will be designed to provide equal conditions at all school regardless of cost distributions. Top of Page

Construction Bidding

Question: Is there a bidding process in place? Who will oversee the bidding process? What are bidding timelines?
Answer: Bidding is a formal process mandated under federal and state law for contracting with construction companies. The process includes the development of construction specifications, public advertisement (legal newspaper) requesting bids, contractor submission of sealed bids, formal opening of sealed bids and award of contract to the lowest responsible bidder. Construction specifications are developed by architectural firms which are approved by the School Board prior to public advertisement. Subsequent to the opening of sealed bids, the architects review contractor bids thoroughly and make recommendations to the School Board for contract award. The process of bidding, subsequent to the development of construction specifications, can take anywhere from one to two months. Top of Page

Question: Will you consider union contractors?
Answer: The District will consider all contractors in the bid process. Federal and state law requires contracts be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Responsible bidders may, or may not, be employee union workers. However, in order for contractors to be considered responsible they must have a track record of performance on construction projects. The performance and experience of these companies will be carefully considered by the architects prior to recommendations for contract award. Top of Page

Communications

Question: What is the District web site address?
Answer: http://district.moundsview.k12.mn.us Top of Page

Question: Will other media be used to communicate information?
Answer: In addition to the internet, communication will be provided through cable cast of School Board meetings, School Talk newsletter (published quarterly in the Bulletin newspapers), Community Education Brochure, school newsletters, employee Grapevine newsletter, and periodic special mailings. Top of Page

Construction Schedules

Question: What percent of construction will be done during the school year calendar? Is it possible to change the school calendar to accommodate building construction? Will construction only occur during the summer?
Answer: Construction will take place year-round. It would be impossible to complete $80 million in construction projects over four to five years without year-round effort. The percentage of construction that will occur during the school year will be dependent on project scope at each site. School calendars are controlled by state law, School Board policy, and collective bargaining agreements and cannot be changed to reflect timing of construction projects. Top of Page

Question: How will safety concerns and extended day care issues during the construction process be addressed?
Answer: Safety will be the first and most important consideration in preparation for construction. Architects, construction managers, District staff, school planning committees and the School Board will be involved in some capacity to assure that all building inhabitants will be completely safe. Safety concerns will extend to all programs that utilize the facilities including the regular school day, extended day care, co-curricular programs, community programs, etc. Top of Page

School Facility Planning Committees

Question: Will students have a voice in the facility planning process?
Answer: Senior high planning committees have students participating in committee process. Top of Page

Question: How will teachers' expectations of bond construction planning be addressed at the schools, and will there be special meetings?
Answer: The principal at each school has full charge of the program planning elements of bond construction. They will communicate with teachers, as well as other staff, to keep them abreast/involved in the planning process. Top of Page

Question: How long will committees be part of the process?
Answer: Facility planning committees will meet frequently during October, November and December 1999 through the schematic design phases of planning. Subsequent to that effort the committees will work less frequently at each site until the construction is completed. That process may continue for four or five years.

Question: How will committee meetings be scheduled?
Answer: Meetings will be scheduled by the principal and architects. Top of Page

Question: How much decision making will take place in the Facility Planning Committees?
Answer: Decision making by each School Facility Planning Committee will focus on "Program Improvements" while other committees will establish standards such as Indoor Air Quality, Athletic Facilities, Deterioration, Technology, and Instruction/Academics. Top of Page

Other Issues

Question: Will there be some crossover of work being done among various planning committees?
Answer: There will be some limited crossover of work. For example, the Athletic Facility Planning Committee will establish standards for gymnasiums through schematic design phases, then the School Facility Planning Committee (where a gym addition will be located) will be involved in further decisions affecting the gym i.e. entrances, storage, floor markings, lavatories, etc. Top of Page

Question: Does planning include improvements to interior classrooms that will increase classroom dimensions?
Answer: It may. Changes will be determined by School Facility Planning Committees and will be dependent on program dollar and structural limitations. Top of Page

Question: Is Stahl Construction (construction management firm) large enough to oversee construction at all schools at the same time?
Answer: The company itself is large enough to handle construction at all schools at the same time. However, not all schools can be done at the same time. If all schools were done at the same time many after-school, weekend and/or community programs would have no location to function for the duration of construction which will last 4-5 years. Top of Page

Question: How long until all projects are complete?
Answer: It is estimated that all projects will be completed in 4-5 years. Top of Page

Question: The bond was not specific. How did building program lists get established?
Answer: The bond was specific. Significant literature was shared throughout the community as to program improvements. The program improvement lists were established through a number of efforts including school committees and the District Facility Planning Task Force prior to the bond referendum. Top of Page

Question: Can classrooms be moved throughout the facility to minimize disruptions?
Answer: Yes. In fact, there will likely be numerous times that classrooms and programs will undergo temporary relocation within the site and possibly to other locations. Top of Page

Question: Has the architectural firm of Perkins & Will worked with school remodeling and program relocation?
Answer: Yes. Both Perkins & Will and ATS&R architectural firms have significant experience working with schools facing similar levels of construction. Top of Page

Question: Will architects plan facility improvements to create a legacy for themselves?
Answer: No, for a number of reasons. First, there are limits of dollars assigned to each building for program improvements that must be addressed. Second, the District engaged a construction management firm (Stahl Construction) to monitor the planning process. Third, bond construction money will improve facilities as described to voters in the Bond Referendum. Fourth, the Administration and School Board will oversee program changes and facility improvements. Top of Page

Question: Will specific staff from the architectural firms be assigned to schools?
Answer: Yes. There may be support of other architectural staff within each firm during the early planning phases of bond construction due to the significant number of planning meetings that will take place. Top of Page

Question: What might happen if the school principal who has been involved in past planning departs?
Answer: Nothing will change. Program improvements have been established. Each school has a planning committee that will decide how those improvements are defined. The committees will continue over the construction period and assure continuity of plans. Top of Page

Question: Will the cities be involved early in the planning process?
Answer: Yes. The cities are involved with the Athletic Facility Planning Committee. Also, the District will be working with each city building inspector and planning commission before, during and after construction. Top of Page

Question: In what ways will technology dollars be directed?
Answer: Some money is part of the bond construction, primarily in areas affecting facility infrastructure (wiring, network communications, etc.). There is also an amount of money that is set aside in the Capital Expenditure budget (outside of the bond) each year to replace aging equipment and increase the numbers of computers available for use. The Technology Department is developing plans for the deployment of both bond and capital expenditure resources. Top of Page

Question: Could a feedback checklist be created for each site so that individual sub contractors can be evaluated?
Answer: Architects and construction managers involved in the bond process will take responsibility for recommending and contracting with only the most competent sub-contractors. Top of Page

Question: How will school security be addressed beyond changing of school entries?
Answer: Each School Facility Planning Committee will work with architects in planning changes at their site. Changes may include other security changes such as cameras, metal detectors, monitors, etc.. Planning processes will be introduced to Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). CPTED emphasizes three design approaches including natural access controls, natural surveillance and territorial behavior. Top of Page

Question: Instead of repairing and modifying facilities, what would it cost to level a facility and replace it with modern up-to-date facilities?
Answer: Replacing all facilities would cost several hundred million dollars. In addition, current new school building construction requires increased land acreage that is not available within the District boundaries. Top of Page

Question: What is the expected maximum age or usefulness of sites built in the 1950's?
Answer: If a facility is not improved, the facility would likely depreciate over roughly fifty years. However, if improvements are made to the infrastructure the facility can last hundreds of years. Top of Page