Paul
Anonymous
Forum Replies Created
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In reply to: On call pay or stipend?
In reply to: Temporary Lock Devices
Chris,
I have come across the system you speak of in several communities that I have consulted in. I believe they started around the Newtown tragedy time frame. My personal opinion is they sell on fear tacticts, but that’s just me. I also think it is just an expensive door stop.
My recommendation has always been to change out the door knobs and use a manual (thumb turn) type locking system on the inside. We have tried the keys on both sides but find that staff do not always have their keys with them and most likely would not be able to locate a key in a panic situation. That brings the debate that a student could lock people out of the classroom and cause other concerns.
Until I hear of a better method I will still recommend a classroom funtion door knob with a manual locking device on the inside.
Paul Anastasi
Newton Public Schools (Retired)
In reply to: facilities event Calendar
In reply to: Gym Wall Padding
In reply to: Handicap access mats for playgrounds
In reply to: Job Classified Platforms
In reply to: Locker Installation
In reply to: COLAs in New Union Contracts?
In reply to: Resilient Flooring
Steve,
In Newton we used a Marmoleum product in any flooring project from 2015 on and it has held up great. We used it as sheet goods and also squares to match a traditional look in a historic building. Our Architect has currently spec’d it for three new schools in Watertown as well.
It is also sustainable, made with compressed wood products and other “stuff”??
I had a custodian (old timer) feel he had to wax some of it to get that shine it was missing. It looks fine but became a maintenance time suck to keep it up. Kind of defeated the low maintenance purpose of using the product in the first place.
Got fooled by the “Maintenance Free” tag that our early vendors put on it. There is a sealing/finishing product that should be used on it yearly. It is a simple spray and buff procedure which is much easier that strip and wax. I would call it No Wax and Low Maintenance but not Maintenance Free!
Paul Anastasi
Newton (retired)
In reply to: Holding Events on Turf Field
Kofi,
I have used chairs with legs but you have to make sure they all have an end cap on them, it’ a real process to check all the chairs. I like the sleigh type leg idea.
We even went as far as implementing a no stiletto heels rule on the field, the students and staff were told to wear stacked heels or flats and we had teachers assigned to enforce it.
We put the guest speakers and band on a plywood stage and shade tent post on plywood pads and used hanging weights instead of stakes.
Plan on running your groomer/brush after.
Good Luck,
Paul Anastasi
Newton (retired)
In reply to: HELP! – Flooring/Drain Issue
Jon,
When I was in Newton I used a guy named Scott Wells, Wells Restoration for our epoxy floors. He is a small shop but very good. Not sure he will be able to patch it in but it’s worth a call.
Scott Wells, 617-909-0654
You can tell him I gave you his contact info.
Paul Anastasi
Newton (retired)
In reply to: Air Exchange Per Hour testing.
Dominic,
Here is a list of air balancing companies that our engineer gave us. I have not used any yet but it’s a starting point for you.
J.F. Coffey Associates, Inc., Duxbury, MA (781) 934-5212
E.L. Barrett, 1147 Hancock Street, Suite 201, Quincy, MA 02169
North East Air Balance 5 Mount Vernon Ave., Billerica, MA (978) 423-7940
Good Luck!
Paul Anastasi
Dover-Sherborn (interim)
I am outfitting an entire elementary school with HEPA filters in all 31 classrooms. Can I get some thoughts on an optimum placement of these units? Opposite the univent? Cornered in the room? Centered in the room?
I may just go with “wherever there is a plug” but wanted to know if anyone had an idea on optimum placement.
Paul Anastasi
Interim Facilities Director
Dover-Sherborn Public Schools
Erik,
This is a VERY rough draft that I will be using as talking points in a District Leadership Team Meeting on Wednesday so I can get input from the educational side of the house.
I did run this by my own in-house educational resource. My wife is a former preschool teacher, director of early childhood and elementary principal and she was not a fan, told me to “back off” because educators are too stressed right now and I was pushing them too much. I hope it is better received at our DLT meeting.
I think I will take it better if I hear “back off” from people that are paying me??
Good Luck,
Paul Anastasi
Northbridge Public Schools
<u>Staff Summer Preparation: </u>
- Assign days/times by classroom location?
- Enter building through different doors?
- How much time will they need in the building?
- Elementary 4hrs more for Pre & K?
- Secondary 2hrs?
- Custodians can be assigned to two shifts for evening access if staff would like evening hours?
<u>Locker Clean out:</u>
- Does the district supply the locks on student lockers or are they an integral part of the locker?
- Custodial staff will clean out each locker putting contents into a trash bag and label it with locker number?
- Students/parents will get assigned a day and time to retrieve their items.
- Multiple siblings in a building will get picked up by one person.
- Bags will be laid out in the gym by locker number. Students/parents will enter through one door get their bag and exit through another. Administrative staff will need to be present to guide the process.
- Is your organization still paying staff to mostly stay home (essentially paid furlough)? Yes
- Do you have any staff that are on unpaid furlough? No
- Have you had to layoff anyone? No but I have two temps that were ready to move into the two opening that are available and that has been put on hold.
- Have your City/Town/School officials raised the possibility of layoffs or furloughs with you? No
Paul Anastasi
Northbridge Public Schools
Interim Facilities Director
