Dunwoody High School CAC Meeting

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 4:00pm

Minutes

Attendance: CAC members – Dave Levy, Louise Headland, Kelly Clinch, Pricilla Cole	DHS Admin – Mr. Jameson PAC members – Bob Fiscella, Ebony Green Community Members -- Pam Tallmadge, Despina Lamas Guest speaker – Shawn Hamlin (BRPH Architect)

1.	Welcome
a. Meeting called to order at 4:04 pm
b. Adopted and amended agenda for the meeting via motion c.	Minutes from last meeting were approved

2. Principal’s Report
a. Ms. Cole reported that the DHS User Group met May 8. Representatives from the various departments in the school attended after gathering feedback from their teachers/staff on facility needs.
b. The group made a list of needs and those will be given to the architects/design team and the CAC.

3. New Business/Unfinished Business
a. Shawn Hamlin, BRPH Architect for our project, gave us an overview of his role and said the county has given official notice to move forward with the design of the 41 classroom addition to DHS. Shawn gave us a spreadsheet of the Space Description for each department/area of the school with the existing space, the standards required by both the State and DCSD, and the needed space based on feedback from CAC and the User Group. This is a work in progress (see attached documents). He commended the CAC for their clear “wish list” and letters and said those have been a big help in planning.
b. After the addition DHS facility will increase capacity to 2305 students.
c.	Areas that are being considered for addition/renovation in the project: media center, office space for admin and counselors, fine arts classrooms, expanded kitchen/cafeteria, and additional classrooms.
d. Some existing classrooms may be moved or changed around based on the design – want to put departments together for collaboration for example. Will be a domino effect. Will consult with Ms. Cole and CAC for best plan.
e. Shawn says the county will consider instructional needs first when approving the project and this means we may not get a new gym at this time. However, he wants the plan to reflect the possibility of getting either an additional gym or a bigger gym at a later date. He says the locker rooms need attention and could be a health concern, etc. He says parent voices will be important in pushing for better facilities either now or later.
f.	Shawn says the county has requested a site survey of the school property which should happen this summer.
g.	Drainage issues need to be addressed as part of the renovation. Retention pond will be paved over to create parking.
h. Shawn says the decision about where to build the addition is important b/c he doesn’t want it to impact future possibilities for additions. This will be considered in the design.

i.	We have 29.5 acres of school property. The addition will add 60,000 sq ft. with a $22-24 million budget. Shawn says DHS is the only school that is seeing a budget increase right now. Other schools are having the budgets for their projects reduced.
j.	Shawn says he is trying to work with the county to sequence the work timeline to cause as little impact to the student/staff/community as possible. For example, he is suggesting they work on the parking lot and retention pond next summer to have it ready for the fall of 2020.
k.	Ms. Cole asked if support spaces (like offices) are in addition to the 41 classrooms or included in the space allocated. Shawn says there is a “grossing factor” that allows for support space based on student population. Should get office space.
l.	Discussion of the impact of construction on the school and if that would be considered as they plan it. Shawn says yes and they will work with Ms. Cole on the plan.
m. Pam T. asked about entrances and exits to the school being impacted and/or changed. Shawn says they will focus first on safety when planning these.
n. Chad stated that he doesn’t want the project to be underbudget and still have items on our wish list that didn’t get addressed.
o. Dave asked about where we stand with the Board. Shawn says his side of the project has been approved. He’s not sure about when the additional funding will be approved (most likely June).
p. Kelly asked who designs the interior of the spaces added or renovated (i.e. establishing Media Center collaboration spaces, modular furniture, digital plan, etc). Shawn says we will have a say in this when we get to schematics.
q. Dave asked if we are still on the same timeline (to start summer of 2020) and Shawn says yes.
r.	Not sure of next deadlines for the project.
s.	Despina L asked about phases and timeline for the project. Shawn says we are in Design right now. Then will move to Program and Conceptional, then to Schematics.
t.	Bob F. reminded the CAC to get everything in writing and to “trust but verify.”
u. Despina asked about capacity vs. population. Shawn says the capacity of the building is about 1800 students but will accommodate 2300 when project is finished.
v.	Next CAC meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, July 17 at 4pm.

4. Meeting adjourned at 5:25pm