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IX. ITEMS FOR DECISION - REGULAR AGENDA <br />A DISCUSSION OF SCHOOL CAPITAL NEEDS <br />Neil Pedersen, Superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District, Mark Royster, <br />Chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board and Bill Harrison, Superintendent of the Orange <br />County Schools and Susan Dovenbarger, member of the Orange County School Board joined the Board <br />of County Commissioners for discussion of school capital needs. <br />Dr. Harrison said that they will need a new elementary school by 2001 and a major <br />addition to the high school by 2002. They used the information from the Department of Public Instruction <br />and also the Taylor report to make this determination. They do expect growth in the University Station <br />area and an influx of 200 students from the Alamance County school district. They see the year-round <br />school as a short-term temporary solution that should not cost them a new facility later. <br />Dr. Pedersen focused on the new schools his district will need. They will need a new <br />elementary school in Southern Village and an addition to East Chapel Hill High in 1999-2000. In 2000- <br />2001 they will need a new middle school in Meadowmont. He reviewed the capacities of present <br />facilities indicating that five of those schools will be overcapacity next year. They expect to be 200 <br />overcapacity in the middle schools and 400 overcapacity in the high school next year. In 1998-99 they <br />expect to be overcapacity at the elementary level by 380 students. He emphasized that they need the <br />high school addition by 1999-2000 and that this addition will be driven by program needs as much as the <br />increase in enrollment. He compared the student projections as provided by the State with those <br />provided by consultants. The State projections were slightly lower for elementary and middle but at the <br />high school level, there was a 700 student discrepancy so they took the average of the two figures. He <br />stated that the school board will discuss funding options this Thursday. His recommendation includes <br />raising the impact fee, extending the use of the district tax to include capital projects, bond referendum or <br />revision of the CIP allocation formula. They may ask the County Commissioners to consider (1) <br />appropriating impact fees in the same year they are collected, (2) providing advance funds for planning <br />for new schools, (3) advocating for school sites in future developments, (4) revising the formula for <br />distributing recurring capital funds and (5) advocating for state initiatives that would provide additional <br />revenue for new schools. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis encouraged both school systems to sit down and look at the <br />areas where they are spending money for possibilities and opportunities to save money. <br />The Boards agreed that they need to all agree on a methodology for the student <br />projection figures. Also they need to resolve the district tax question. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked that the Boards consider a bond referendum which would <br />address high school needs for both systems and also some renovation and technology needs. <br />Commissioner Willhoit said he would like to use the private placement option to move <br />ahead on the projects that need to be done now -- use general funds and at such time that Orange <br />County needs money to then go for a bond issue. He does not feel that the County should wait to <br />address the needs of the Chapel Hill system until Orange County has needs. <br />Commissioner Gordon clarified that she is in favor of a multifaceted approach of solving <br />the overcapacity problem and being as creative as possible so as not to delay any need. She is in favor <br />of quality education for every child in this county. <br />Chair Carey said that it is important to plan ahead to meet the needs of the two school <br />systems. They also need to plan ahead to obtain the best interest rates. <br />B. CONTRACT APPROVAL - UTILITIES REDUCTION SPECIALISTS <br />Pam Jones explained that Utilities Reduction Specialists is a company that provides an <br />audit of telephone and energy bills to identify potential cost savings to the County. There are no up-front <br />costs for this audit and they will be reimbursed 50% of the one time savings and 50% of any ongoing <br />savings for a period of 24 months. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked for a reference list for this company. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Crowther to <br />postpone a decision on this item until references can be obtained. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />AUTOMATIC ADJOURNMENT HOUR - 10:30 p.m.