General+Outline

This is a first draft of the speech broken down by section with actual time shown. I hope everyone has some input. It was harder then I expected and far from what it needs to be. - Mike S.

Residents and voters of Rockingham my name is Jim McAuliffe and I am here today to present the Rockingham School District Article 6 committees request for $20,000 in funding for FY 2011. Being conscience of everyone’s time today, please allow me a few minutes to outline our purpose, findings and recommendations. **(23 seconds)** The Article 6 committee was formed over two years ago to investigate, analyze and recommend a course of action for the long term education of our Middle School students. There were a series of public forums where //district// residents were front and center in guiding the committee to our present day plan. The three primary options considered were building new, consolidate or renovate. A rough estimate to replace the same size building would be $30 million dollars. Although consolidation would be the most cost effective and educationally beneficial course of action, it takes a willing partner. Unfortunately, our neighbors in Westminster, Grafton and Athens were not interested in participating. Pending State consolidation mandates, we must move forward with the best choice for Rockingham students and tax payers. **(52 seconds)** The Bellows Falls Middle School has served our community since 1927. Like many of our historic treasures, it was built to last. Recent engineering studies rate the structural health of the building as “excellent”. Our primary need is an overhaul of the heating, ventilation, electrical and communication systems. Exciting options for roof top solar, wind and photovoltaic hot water systems can provide hands on education as well as help re-shape our schools academic standing. Issues like green space, classroom modernization and building efficiencies will be addressed. **(36 seconds)** The Article 6 committee has received over a dozen applications from Architectural firms showing an interest in this project. We have scanned and digitized many blue prints, as-builds and pertinent information into a central data base. A yes vote will provide us the means necessary to present the residents of Rockingham a plan and budget for full renovation of the Bellows Falls Middle School next year. **(31 seconds)** We are mindful that our student population has dropped and the school is serving a smaller student body. Much of that drain is due to area towns sending their students else where. A primary goal of this renovation should be to help attract some of those students back to the school. The school so many of us met for the first time, became friends and remain so today. The grand marble entry way, historic mural hall and auditorium can never be replaced or even replicated with our taxes. We ask the residents of Rockingham to allow us the sum of $20,000 dollars to move forward in the best, most responsible way we can. It is time. Thank you. **(41 sec)** 6. Questions
 * 1. **** Welcome **
 * 2. **** Who we are **
 * 3. **** Purpose  **
 * 1. **** Article 6 **
 * 4. **** Our work so far  **
 * 1. **** Options we looked at  **
 * 1. **** build **
 * 2. **** consolidate **
 * 3. **** renovate **
 * 2. **** State of building  **
 * 1. **** building issues **
 * 2. **** Keywords - green space, energy efficient, children **
 * 3. **** Where we are now (renovate) **
 * 5. **** We are ready to find out the cost  **
 * 1. **** architect **
 * Closing **
 * 1) ** Heartstrings  **
 * 2) ** Jim's final speech **