PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Building Needs Commission met with some new members under a new defining ordinance on Tuesday. 

"You're joining at a very exciting time for our district," interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips said. 

The Pittsfield Public Schools are seeking up to 80 percent reimbursement from the Massachusetts Schools Building Authority to rebuild and consolidate the outdated John C. Crosby Elementary and Silvio O. Conte Community School on the Crosby property.

Last week, the City Council approved an ordinance for a 19-member School Building Needs Commission.  The mayor appoints seven members, the superintendent appoints five, and seven are city officials. 

The council also OK'd the appointment of Frank Laragione, Brendan Sheran, Judy Gitelson, Tonya Frazier, Jared LaBeau Sr., Cristina Duhamel, and William Cameron to the commission for terms between one and five years. Duhamel and LaBeau introduced themselves as new members on Tuesday. 

The MSBA has invited the district to a feasibility study phase, and a selection committee is working to bring forward applicants for an owner's project manager.  This hired consultant oversees a construction or design project in the owner's interest. 

Duhamel, Pittsfield's deputy purchasing agent, reported that the OPM listing will be advertised on Wednesday and on Monday, and there will be a pre-bid walk-through at Crosby. Proposals are due by Feb. 18 under this timeline, and the top three will be brought forward for interviews. 

Purchasing Agent Colleen Hunter-Mullett believes that the interviews will be open to the public, but said she will confirm that information.