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used for offices. Also, there could be technology labs or a childcare facility. There is a small day care <br />center at Chapel Hill High school. There could be many other uses for the excess capacity. <br />Commissioner Gordon feels that if there is some way to use the alternative schools to <br />lower the need for space at the high school, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School system may only <br />have to build half the number of rooms. She would like to see more discussion to see if there is a less <br />traditional package so that all parties could benefit. <br />Chair Halkiotis added that Neil Pedersen was trying to bring forth some creative ideas to <br />deal with the growth that is occurring. He does not think that this is set in stone. <br />C. Other TOPIC <br />Nick Didow said that the current non-funded capital needs are much more than what they <br />have put forward for the bond package. With respect to the high schools and adding onto the high <br />schools, the decision was very painful. However, their board has also, in the more complete list <br />forwarded in the CIP, some projects for which they are assuming that the financial strategy will involve <br />certificates of participation or private placement and other sources of funds. If those strategies are <br />not well received, then the needs become even more desperate for them. He pointed out that Chapel <br />Hill High School still has five trailers that are in use. The addition at Chapel Hill High School will <br />enable them to eliminate the trailers. <br />Commissioner Gordon made reference to the Triangle J Council of Governments and said <br />that one of the discussions was the dire situation that local governments may be in financially <br />because reimbursements have been held. She encouraged the two school boards, if this <br />reimbursement is going to be permanently removed, to write to our legislators. <br />Superintendent Neil Pedersen distributed a letter to the Commissioners regarding <br />Elementary School #10. The Commissioners have approved the funding for the first two phases of <br />Elementary School #9, but nothing has been submitted for #10. The letter is a request for <br />consideration of beginning the design phase for Elementary School #10. There is no request far the <br />schematic phase because they believe that the schematic design will be the same as #9. The <br />estimation is $310,000 for the next phase. This is a savings of $50,000 from the request for #9. <br />This will be formally submitted to the Board of County Commissioners. Chair Halkiotis said <br />that we might need to add this item to one of the Board's upcoming work sessions for discussion. <br />4. COUNTYlOCS/CHCCS INFORMATIONAL REPORTS <br />A. Status of CHCCS Overcrowding and Projections <br />Nothing mare to add. <br />B. Status of Smith MS Construction and Opening Date <br />The school board is optimistic that Smith Middle School will be partially open this summer. <br />Hopefully, all of the academic classrooms and media center would be available for the students. The <br />cafeteria, auditorium, and gymnasium needs would be met at an adjacent facility. <br />C. National Trust for Historic Preservation: Protecting Neighborhood Schools <br />No further comments than what is in the agenda abstract. <br />5. ADJOURNMENT <br />With no further items for the County Commissioners to consider, Chair Halkiotis adjourned the <br />meeting. The next meeting will be held March 29, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. in the Southern Human Services <br />Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. <br />Stephen H. Halkiotis, Chair <br />Beverly A. Blythe, CMC <br />