Ramsey Civic Association General Meeting
July 21, 2003 - Ramsey Library

Guest Speaker Mr. Bruce DeYoung

The General Meeting of the RCA came to order at7:00PM with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Jim announced Bruce DeYoung as the special guest speaker for the evening, and that Mr. DeYoung would discuss the Board of Education’s (BOE) position regarding the bond issue.

The minutes were read by the Secretary and approved.

Treasurer Report
The financials for the first 6 months of the year are done. Nothing else to report.

By-Laws
No amendments to the By-Laws.

Executive Board Report
The EB discussed the long term goal to press for reforms in the way that schools are funded in relation to property taxes.

Chairperson’s Report
Jim stated that the Common Cause meeting went very well. There were 52 people in attendance. Jim also stated that it was a very interesting night and a lot of good information was relayed.

Jim Keeney and Dennis Kerrigan will be taking a class to become Civic Empowerment trainers.

Ramsey Day plans are going well.

Dues are currently being collected.

Jim is in the process of setting up a Candidate’s Night for sometime in October. The location is TBD. Ellen Pfister is also working on this project.

Steve Strollo will be handling the November election of the Executive Board officers.

Jim has made several calls to Breast Cancer Awareness, but has not received a return phone call as of the above date.

On a sad note, Mr. Sebastian Recciti of the Planning Board has passed away.

Civic Activities
Nothing to report.

Auditing
Nothing to report.

Communications & Press
Nothing to report.

Historical Records
Sherman has stepped down as the RCA Historian. He was thanked for his service. He will remain as the RCA photographer.

Recruiting
Lynn Bergin announced that hand-outs were available at the Common Cause presentation. They will also be available at Ramsey Day, and were also available that evening for anyone interested in joining the RCA.

Citizens Assistance
Nothing to report.

Political Action
Nothing to report.

Voter Registration
Ann Webersinn will have 150 Voter Registration cards along with absentee ballots available at Ramsey Day.

Unfinished Business
Nothing to report.

Peter DelVecchio made an announcement regarding the Fine Arts Council’s upcoming concerts.

Ramsey Day Committee
JoAnn Carroll stated that the RCA has been approved by the town for the putt golf game w/prizes and voter registration. The RCA will also have poster boards with the past 1.5 years of press and pictures. It was also announced that the RCA pens are being donated by Joan and Jim Keeney and that the RCA t-shirts are being donated by JoAnn and Robert Carroll.

JoAnn also asked for people to volunteer at the Ramsey booth and also to march in the parade.

Mayor Muti was in attendance and made a short speech regarding his recent meeting with Mr. DeYoung on June 24. He stated it was a productive meeting regarding providing a second opinion onDater School. An independent architectural firm has been retained at a cost of $10k. The second opinion should be available by Mid-August.

Jim introduced Mr. Bruce DeYoung.

The following is an outline of Mr. DeYoung’s presentation.
 
Enrollment increase creates room shortages at all building levels

• 2,871 current enrollment
• Curriculum changes drive classroom needs
• Special Education laws driving building usage
• Increased graduation requirements
• Lab based sciences

A Committee was formed to examine the following:

• Enrollment projections
• Identify shortage in athletic, parking, etc. facilities
• Project future facilities need
  

Their recommendations were as follows:

• ReplaceDaterSchool
• Make Dater 4-5
• Make Hubbard K-3 and add classrooms
• Add classroom space and renovate existing areas of both Smith and the HS

Breakdown by School

Ramsey High School

• Renovate 3 science labs and add 1
• Renovate art room
• Build 3 new classrooms (1 for art)
• Build 3 new SGI (small group instruction) rooms
• Replace track with an all-weather version
• Replace 2 existing computer rooms with wireless technology
• 5,222 new square feet
• 11,681 square feet being renovated
• Approximate cost: $4.54mm

Smith

• Increase the size of the cafeteria, gym, library
• Replace 2 existing computer rooms with wireless technology
• Create 5 SGI rooms
• Create new science room
• Create small conference room for parent/teacher conferences
• Create storage areas
• 8,770 new square feet
• 9,354 square feet being renovated
• Approximate cost: $3.5mm

Hubbard

• Hubbard becomes K-3
• Divide current music room into 2 regular classrooms
• 4 new classrooms
• 3 new SGI rooms
• 7,287 new square feet
• 2,308 square feet being renovated
• Approximate cost: $2.3mm

Dater
(Proposed site plan shown)

• 22 full size classrooms
• 2 full size special education rooms
• 1 dedicated science room
• 1 art room
• 1 music room
• 2 small instrumental music rooms
• 1 computer room
• 1 nurses’ clinic
• 1 OT/PT room
• 1 gym
• Principal offices
• Special services office
• Storage areas
• 64,800 square feet (current 59,800)
• Approximate cost: $18.9mm

Tisdale
No projects planned

Total projected cost: $29.2mm
Funding by state: $4.5 – 5.5mm
Cost to Ramsey: $23.7 - $24.7mm

$25mm bond
$400k home would see a tax increase of $277/year

Why Now?

• Need for classroom space is real and current
• Window of opportunity for Ramsey to get money from State
• Interest rates on bonds are extremely low

There was a question and answer session with Mr. DeYoung. 

One of the RCA members suggested to Mr. DeYoung that a tour be arranged for the members of the RCA so we could see first hand the condition ofDater School. Mr. DeYoung and Jim are working together on a date for the tour.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:52PM.