Waldo County Technical Center :: Facility

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November 2001

NEAS&C Decennial Visit for Continued Accreditation

The following is the report from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEAS&C) based on their November 2001 visit to WCTC for the purpose of continued accreditation for the school. Following this report is the 2 year update report submitted to NEAS&C in September 2003.

SCHOOL FACILITIES (2001 Visitation)

The Waldo County Technical Center is located on Route 137 in Waldo, Maine. The school is situated on a rural 40-acre parcel and has ample space for expansion. The 47,236 square foot building was constructed for its current and intended purpose in 1973. The Technical Center accepts students from three sending schools and houses programs in 18 instructional spaces. The building was planned with the "open concept" of education in mind. Consequently, internal construction has been ongoing, establishing interior walls and related classrooms out of the larger, open area. The facility is also utilized by many community groups and organizations, as well as Adult Education. The rated capacity of the facility is currently 360 people. Given the age of the facility, it is in very good condition. The school staff maintains a clean, safe, pleasing environment. The lack of an assembly area is an inconvenience and limits curricular and co-curricular activities.

Necessary fire safety and emergency equipment appears adequate and in good repair, with periodical inspections according to legal requirements. This includes emergency shut-offs, fire blankets, eyewash stations, MSDS folders, first aid, and fire extinguishers. The facility does not have a nurse's station, non-emergency medical needs are met in each instructional area. Because of the two-session school day, there is no need for a school cafeteria.

WCTC has made many recent upgrades including a new roofing system, fuel storage and monitoring system, new classroom space and has commenced work on driveway and parking areas. Work on this current exterior project is progressing with the assistance of the local National Guard. WCTC has also hired Harriman Assoc., an architectural firm, to perform a facility study to assess short and long term planning for maintenance and capital expenditures. The facility study recommended and prioritized many updates. Among the most necessary improvements recommended are the heating and ventilation systems.

The Center plans to address some of its programmatic needs through expansion of the existing facility. It is essential that both new and existing spaces comply with current building codes.

COMMENDATIONS

The Visiting Committee commends WCTC for the following:

1. Initiating and funding a facility study to identify problem areas and make recommendations for updates.
2. Protecting the financial investment of the building with capital improvements including new roof system and refurbished overhead exterior doors.
3. Initiating steps to correct deficiencies reported in facility studies.
4. Complying with EPA requirements to delete trench drains in hard shop area
5. Having voluntary OSHA inspections.
6. Utilizing cost-efficient solutions for major facility improvements.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Visiting Committee recommends the following

1. Continue making improvements to facility as indicated in the Harriman study (this includes heating and ventilation throughout the facility).
2. Evaluate and make necessary improvements to ensure the safety of the exterior
storage area for oxygen, acetylene, diesel fuel and waste oil.
3. Assess and correct items stored in Admin./Culinary Arts storage crib area.
4. Continue working towards full compliance with ADA requirements.
5. Devise a plan to create fair and equitable changing areas for males and females.
6. Assess and correct any deficiencies regarding the number of restrooms available
relation to the building's capacity.
7. Provide necessary heat, ventilation and sound barriers to new horticulture and
welding classrooms.
8. Update and expand exterior lighting.
9. Limit water temperature at faucets to safe level.
10. Bring all plumbing and sanitary deficiencies in Culinary Arts program up to
specifications recommended in the Harriman report.
11. Remove hazardous materials and flammables from upper central mezzanine area
12. Complete the upgrading of the driveway and parking facilities.

2 Year Update Report

This report was submitted to NEAS&C in September 2003. The 5 year focus report must be submitted in the fall of 2006.

Recommendations	Status	Comments
1. Continue making improvements to facility as indicated in the Harriman study (this includes heating and ventilation throughout the facility).	In Progress	An engineer was hired during July '03 to address classroom ventilation. Work has since been completed. This same engineer is developing upgrades in the heating system, which will be contracted by September 30 '03. Air handling systems will be the next priority.
2. Evaluate and make necessary improvements to ensure the safety of the exterior storage area for oxygen, acetylene, diesel fuel and waste oil.	In Progress	By September 30, 2003 we will have contracted for materials for an outside building. Plans are to have two separate out buildings for oxygen & acetylene. Diesel fuel will no longer be stored in a bulk container. Two 5-gallon containers will be stored in the explosion proof room. Waste oil is stored in a bulk container in Auto Tech area and regularly emptied by a local service garage, which uses waste oil for heating fuel.
3. Assess and correct items stored in Admin./Culinary Arts storage crib area.	Planned	Admin/Culinary storage crib will be assessed through phase 2 of the building projects. Planned addition will include Culinary storage
4. Continue working towards full compliance with ADA requirements.	In Progress	current addition includes 3 unisex restrooms that are in full ADA compliance. Phase 2 addition will have additional ADA compliant restrooms.
5. Devise a plan to create fair and equitable changing areas for males and females.	In Progress	As part of the current projects3 programs will have unisex restrooms that may be used a changing areas.
6. Assess and correct any deficiencies regarding the number of restrooms available relation to the building's capacity.	In Progress	Current project has upgraded 1 restroom to ADA standards and created 2 new ones - Future plans include additional ADA restrooms.
7. Provide necessary heat, ventilation and sound barriers to new horticulture and welding classrooms.	In Progress	New configuration due to current building project eliminates all issues related to heat, ventilation, and sound.
8. Update and expand exterior lighting.	In Progress	Exterior lights have been upgraded on parts of the building. Current project will include additional lights and upgrades.
9. Limit water temperature at faucets to safe level.	Completed	Hot water temperature at faucets has been regulated.
10. Bring all plumbing and sanitary deficiencies in Culinary Arts program up to specifications recommended in the Harriman report.	Planned	Phase 2 of building project will address plumbing and sanitary issues in Culinary Arts.
11. Remove hazardous materials and flammables from upper central mezzanine area	Completed	No flammable material is stored in the mezzanine area.
12. Complete the upgrading of the driveway and parking facilities.	In Progress	2/3 of parking lot has been renovated and repaved with 2" binder coat. When phase two of the building project is completed the remainder of the 2" binder and 1" topcoat will be added.

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This page was last updated: 5/15/2006 1:51:42 PM