Facility use fees

Question: What was the fee assessed for the use of Broadalbin-Perth facilities for the Home Show last weekend? Aren't we in a contingency budget and charging all users fees to use the school facilities? I have heard that other users have been charged. Also, how much does the Broadalbin Youth Commission pay to use school facilities? The district should publish all of these fees so that it is transparent for all.

Answer: The Broadalbin Youth Commission paid $1,137 to the school district to cover custodial costs for the Home Show. Yes, we are operating under a contingency budget and, under contingency rules, we cannot absorb any costs associated with the use of our buildings by community groups or outside organizations.

In general, we assess facility use fees (click here to view the fee schedule, which is posted on our district website) PLUS custodial costs whenever organizations from outside our community use our facilities, or when for-profit organizations from inside or outside our community use our facilities. We see this as an opportunity to generate revenue.

However, when a non-profit community group, such as the Broadalbin Youth Commission or PTO, want to use our facilities, we only charge them what we have to under the law, which is usually just costs associated with our custodial staff (overtime). After all, Broadalbin-Perth is the community's school -- we're not going to try to make money off of non-profit community groups.
- answered by Stephen Tomlinson, Superintendent of Schools

Director of Facilities & Operations

Question: Could you please tell me what the Director of Operations and Safety will be doing for the district?  Is this newly created? State mandated? Shouldn't or couldn't this be covered under Mr. Tomlinson's position in these tough economic times? I am wondering where the $72,000 is coming from as we were on the verge of laying off teachers again this year and the budget failed. Seems to me you could hire two teachers for this money and relieve some of the class sizes we currently have. I'm hoping this is a grant or something where the district isn't footing the entire salary, similiar to the communications position (even with half recovered from the state for this position, the pay is too high; I know private sector communications people who don't make what this district's specialist does). Please explain our new director's position. Thank you.

Answer: Over the next five years, the position of district director of facilities and operations is expected to save Broadalbin-Perth more than $200,000 by consolidating two management positions and eliminating B-P’s subscription to the BOCES Health-Safety-Risk Management service.

Fitness Center information

Question: Why isn't there information about the fitness center on your website? The cost, hours, days open would be helpful.

Answer: Information about the fitness center, which is located in Broadalbin-Perth High School, can be found on the district website, http://www.bpcsd.org/, under the Athletics menu -- "Fitness Center Information." Click here to access the page.
- answered by David Samek, district webmaster

Energy efficiency

Question: Knowing that state budget cuts are coming for next year, I would like to know what energy efficient plans are currently being acted upon and/or are being planned for the future. Did anyone look into or apply for federal stimulus funding for energy efficient upgrades when it was available?

Answer: When the federal stimulus funding for energy efficient upgrades was first announced, we spoke with our district's architecture and engineering firms. All of our newest construction has been energy efficient, including our new windows and light fixtures. However, because we already receive building aid on the new construction, we could not also receive aid specifically for the energy efficient portions of our construction projects. Unfortunately, with a lot of upgrades that would improve the district's energy efficiency, we would have to spend money in order to save money.
- answered by Stephen Tomlinson, District Superintendent

Operations & Maintenance Roundtable: Adequacy of Facilities

The Community Roundtable on operations and maintenance that was held on Monday, Dec. 14, included lively discussion on a variety of topics. In order to keep the conversation going, we invite readers to post their thoughts on each question that was presented to participants at the Community Roundtable. Click here to read notes on what was discussed at the Community Roundtable.

Broadalbin-Perth is currently in the final stages of $42 million worth of capital projects that included replacement of windows, roofing, carpet and tile at both sites; security upgrades; renovations of Patriot Field and the middle school gymnasium; the building of an addition at the high school; and asbestos abatement.

Operations & Maintenance Roundtable: Community Use of Facilities

The Community Roundtable on operations and maintenance that was held on Monday, Dec. 14, included lively discussion on a variety of topics. In order to keep the conversation going, we invite readers to post their thoughts on each question that was presented to participants at the Community Roundtable. Click here to read notes on what was discussed at the Community Roundtable.

In the past, Broadalbin-Perth schools have been available to a variety of community organizations for them to use for regular meetings and special events. Traditionally, the Board of Education has not charged community organizations for most events that are held at the school.

Operations & Maintenance Roundtable: General Condition of Facilities

The Community Roundtable on operations and maintenance that was held on Monday, Dec. 14, included lively discussion on a variety of topics. In order to keep the conversation going, we invite readers to post their thoughts on each question that was presented to participants at the Community Roundtable. Click here to read notes on what was discussed at the Community Roundtable.

Broadalbin-Perth’s buildings and grounds staff is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and cleaning of the district’s facilities. The district employs 16 custodians, two maintenance mechanics, a groundskeeper and a supervisor to maintain more than 346,000 square feet of building space and the surrounding grounds.