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G. Possible Waiver of CountvlMuniciaal/Utility Development Fees for School <br />Construction <br />A yellow sheet entitled, "Comparison of Development Fees," was distributed. <br />Nick Didow said that they have written letters to the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of <br />Carrboro, and OWASA asking them to waive fees for school construction. He pointed out that the <br />Town of Chapel Hill was the impetus for the donation of land at Southern Village and at Meadowmont. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that there could be an argument made that, even though we <br />are trying to site schools where there is water and sewer, we are still promoting sprawl because we <br />have to go to the bigger parcels, which are at the edges of the districts. He encouraged the school <br />boards to read attachment four, "Why Johnny Can't Walk to School," from the National Trust for <br />Historic Preservation. <br />2. ISSUES IDENTIFIED/PRESENTED BY ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS <br />A. Other Topics <br />Keith Cook said that he would be doing a formal presentation to the Capital Needs Task <br />Force on May 4t''. He said that this would be a request far 24 million dollars to build a new middle <br />school, to expand the central office, to expand Hillsborough Elementary School, and to do some <br />renovations at Orange High School. <br />Susan Halkiotis observed that four or five years ago, the two school systems developed a <br />wonderful plan for joint study of programs and hands-on opportunities, but were unable to make it <br />happen. She suggested that the County Commissioners consider having a representative join in <br />these discussions to hear the needs that drive the development of the program. It seems that the joint <br />efforts including a member of the Board of County Commissioners have been very fruitful. <br />3. ISSUES IDENTIFIEDIPRESENTED BY CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO CITY SCHOOLS <br />A. Need far Funding for 10t'' Elementary School <br />B. Unfunded Capital Needs <br />Superintendent Neil Pedersen made reference to the document which describes the <br />funding they need from the bond referendum. In summary, the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School Board is <br />requesting funding for two elementary schools, #9 and #10, funding for renovation of at least six older <br />schools, and funding for expansion of both high schools. <br />He made reference to the document that was distributed with a graph an the level of <br />service with different scenarios. If only one elementary school is built and opened in 2003-2004, the <br />following year the level of service would be 106%. He said that some savings in design would be <br />achieved by building a prototype school that could be replicated at the second site. He hopes that the <br />County Commissioners will support the request from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board to <br />build both elementary schools to be opened in 2003. Regarding both of the high schools, they feel <br />they need to add to both schools to accommodate the additional 300 students at each school. They <br />would like to add a third high school, but that is not economically possible at this time. The last <br />request is funding for renovations to their present schools. The major types of renovations include <br />electrical upgrades, increase in energy efficiency and bathrooms and security systems. Windows are <br />also being replaced, which is a major energy savings as well as removal of major eyesores. In terms <br />of budgets, they have followed the model in the standards given by the Commissioners. There is no <br />inclusion in the budget far land for Elementary School #10 because they are optimistic that they will <br />be able to venture jointly with the County for funds. <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to the two high schools and the additions, which <br />will allow an additional 300 students at each school and asked what will happen when these schools <br />reach capacity. She asked about the plan. <br />Superintendent Neil Pedersen said that the intention was not to build an 1800 student high <br />school. He said that if growth does continue, there would be a need to build a third high school. In <br />answer to what will be done with the additional capacity that is built, he said that there is ample need <br />far that space. In the high schools there are no offices far any of the teachers. This space could be <br />