hard deadlines

The newly expanded Portsmouth school facilities committee met for the first time this evening, and the 90-minute session focused on reviewing the tasks ahead and determining working process and timelines for the group. School Committees member Mike Buddemeyer continues to serve as chair of the group, expanded from six to its present 20 members.

With the starting point the four facilities options developed by the initial committee and consultant RGB (available on the Portsmouth school department web site) the committee is tasked with "develop[ing] a long-range facilities plan for the Portsmouth School Department," according to the charter distributed at the meeting. This evening, the group determined the need for bi-monthly meetings, and set an initial goal of a recommendation to the School Committee by November, in time to impact next year's budget process.

In addition to Buddemeyer, the group comprises the original members (Don Davidson, PSD Facilities manager, Terri Cortvriend, Al Grande, Steve Forand, and me) and broad representation from the community: Joseph Amaral (PMS principal), Joanne Olsen (Melville principal), Al Honnen (designated PSD administration representative), Emily Copeland (Elmhurst PTO), Kelly Heitmann (Elmhurst PTO), Jenny Swider (Melville PTO), John Tobin (Hathaway PTO), Duncan Ingraham (community), Allen Shers (community), Jonathan Harris (community), Christopher Bicho (community), Matt Viana (community), Sylvia Wedge (School Committee) and Keith Hamilton (Town Council).

Next meeting will be Wednesday, April 1.

Full disclosure: I am an appointed member of the facilities committee. I'll stick this disclaimer on every time I post about it, just to be very clear.