Orange County NC Website
Chapel Hill last night with the Town Council. There was no action taken, and CHCCS is <br /> proceeding with the planning for this school. He would like to request a future <br /> discussion with the Board of County Commissioners about its stance on the funding of <br /> Elementary School #11. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked about the "other revenues." Superintendent <br /> Pedersen said that this is local revenue, tuition for preschool, fees, forfeitures, ABC <br /> funds, etc. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked about the CIP and the Carrboro High School Arts <br /> Wing. She said that it looks like the appropriations add up to more than was needed, if <br /> you count the $1.9 million. Superintendent Pedersen said that they first were told they <br /> would get$1.9 million the first year and then again in 2010-11, for a total of 3.8 million. <br /> When there was money left over after the first round, then CHCCS reapplied and <br /> received a total of$4.1 million. The projection is $4.5 million. If there is money left over, <br /> then the money can be applied to other projects. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked if any of these funds go to the Culbreth Science <br /> labs, which have been inadequate for years. Superintendent Pedersen said that the <br /> labs were on their list but he cannot give her a definitive answer as to when since it is in <br /> the 10-year CIP and it is not one of the upcoming projects, because McDougle Middle <br /> School also does not have an auditorium. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said she had long been concerned about older schools <br /> and would like to implement a systematic program to make older schools and newer <br /> schools "substantially equivalent" to each other. Since OCS was already putting a focus <br /> on middle schools, that would be a good place to start. She hoped that CHCCS would <br /> also focus on middle schools, including improving the science labs. <br /> Superintendent Pedersen said that it is not a matter of updating the Culbreth <br /> science labs because they are too small. The lab classrooms would have to be built; it <br /> would have to be new construction. <br /> Chair Foushee said that this would have to be considered in the context of the <br /> County's debt capacity. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked if there has been any effort for a joint purchase of <br /> science supplies between the two school districts and Commissioner Hemminger said <br /> that it was too hard to coordinate, so each school district did it on their own. Lisa <br /> Stuckey said that they would look into this and get back to the Board of County <br /> Commissioners. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that Frank Clifton had identified several areas of cost <br /> saving measures between the two districts and the County. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked about the timeline to talk about Elementary School <br /> #11 and Chair Foushee said that it should be added to one of the Board of County <br /> Commissioners' agendas. <br /> Lisa Stuckey said that they discussed in the school collaboration meeting about <br /> adding this to a future agenda. <br /> Lisa Stuckey expressed appreciation for the spring budget process and the clear <br /> signals that were sent by the Board of County Commissioners. <br /> 2. Orange County Schools - Update of 2009-10 Budget <br /> Anne Medenblek said that since she has been on this board, OCS has not come <br /> to ask for any new schools and they do not see a need for any being built in the next 4-5 <br /> years. The dire needs are in the older schools - four are over 50 years old and there is <br /> major work that needs to be done on these schools. She thanked the County <br /> Commissioners for their past help with the OCS capital needs. <br />