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| By Natasha Clark Reminder Assistant Editor WILBRAHAM The Hampden-Wilbraham School Committee had a reorganization meeting last week. Committee members Gilles Turcotte and William Bickley were reelected to the committee at Wilbraham Town Elections. Scott Chapman has been voted chair for a subsequent year; Marianne Desmond, vice chair; and Gilles Turcotte, secretary. Superintendent Paul Gagliarducci received high marks from the Committee on his work and progress for FY05 - FY06. Gagliarducci praised the work ethic of everyone in the school district. He also clarified what he said were "misunderstandings about some issues." Gagliarducci said at this point, there is "no guarantee what the state will do for us or other communities" in terms of school building projects. He said he knows school districts seeking funds from the state "will have to have a meaningful project." Gagliarducci has felt terminology, three terms specifically, were being misused when describing options for Minnechaug Regional High School fix it, renovate it, and build new. He said, when it comes to "fix it," that means, for example, putting in a new window. When it comes to "renovate it," Gagliarducci said it means the building ends up looking like new. "The project has to have a lifespan of 40 years," Gagliarducci said. He added that bringing the building up to code is necessary. Gagliarducci said it is not the same as having a home that was built 40 years ago; a public structure has a whole different set of requirements. "It's a moral and ethical obligation [to have a building up to code]," Gagliarducci added. He also addressed hearsay about MRHS not being properly maintained. "When things were broken, things were fixed. Systems outlived their life," he said. The systems Gagliarducci referred to are the heating and ventilation systems, and floors. "In some portions of the building we're down to bare concrete," Gagliarducci said, adding that during the years the floors were waxed and maintained. "The school needed replacement maintenance and that was not done." So, when it comes to fix it, renovate it or build new, Gagliarducci reiterated, "they are very distinct things." |