Minutes - 03-27-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Susan Halkiotis said that there has been grading and they have seen preliminary layouts of athletic fields and buildings. Superintendent Randy Bridges said that they have moved forward with architectural drawings on the new Orange County High School. On the total layout of the facility, there would be available acreage for a separate facility that could house Durham Tech, but not additional square footage in the school building. Susan Halkiotis said that the Orange County School Board would be happy to show the building plan for the new high school to the Commissioners. Commissioner Gordon asked how the high school was being set up to expand to a 1,500- student high school. Superintendent Randy Bridges said that there are two designated areas on the main academic part of the building that will be compacted and studded out for expansion if needed. Commissioner Jacobs said he is interested in the transportation component of the new high school. Superintendent Randy Bridges said that they have met with the DOT to start talking about the new high school, and that the DOT said that no one has ever come to them before a school has been built to talk about the structure of roads. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to the Community College task force meeting and said that there was a significant amount of dynamism present from the Durham Tech representatives. He said that the Skills Development Center has meant a lot far Durham Tech programming in meeting the needs of citizens in southern Orange County. He said that with this possibility, there could be a consolidation of all the mini-sites and an expansion of opportunities for the people in central and northern Orange County. 2. ISSUES IDENTIFIEDIPRESENTED BY ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS a. Significant Elements of 2000-2010 CIP Superintendent Randy Bridges said that the majority of items in the CIP are items that are needed for the new high school. He said that in the year 2007, three of Orange County's school facilities would be 50 years old -Central Elementary, Cameron Park, and Efland-Cheeks. Anew middle school was also added to the CIP which is not funded. b. New Middle School Randy Bridges said that this was an item that was put in the CIP that is not funded at this time. The information in the agenda relates to program capacity. He said that A. L. Stanback Middle School is the newest facility, and a mobile unit was put there this year. Susan Halkiotis said that some programs that must be provided have to be put in separate classrooms, and it really cuts into the original capacity of the school (i.e., exceptional children). Commissioner Gordon made reference to the regular classrooms being converted to other uses and asked if it would be helpful to build rooms specifically for the other programs. Randy Bridges said that there are some resource classrooms, but it depends on the needs of the students as to how much room is needed. Keith Cook spoke about the exceptional program and how a woman moved here from California for the excellent programs in the Orange County school system. He said that the exceptional program is going to continue to grow because of the emphasis that is being put on it. Commissioner Brown asked about addressing the space for the additional programs in the school standards. Randy Bridges said that the state had a layout from the number of projected students as to the additional space that would be needed for the programs. Commissioner Brown asked how the high school standards that were adopted a few years ago play into the development of the new high school.