Agenda - 05-05-1997 - 10b - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

35 My thanks to the Orange County Board of Commissioners for allowing me to serve on the Capital Needs Task Force. I am pleased with the outcome of the deliberations of that group and would like to add the following brief comments: Schools: 1. Although the group eliminated short life cycle technology as a bond funded item, I'm certain that it is clear to all of us that technology resources are a vital component of an effective education system and should be fully funded from other sources. 2. We would achieve considerable savings and we would create schools that were more functional community resources if we were to change our elementary school construction standards to include a middle school sized gymnasium rather than a 3600 square foot multipurpose room. The gymnasium could still be used by the school as an expanded multipurpose area and could also be used by the Parks and Recreation Department to schedule community recreation programs. Our recent experience in Chapel Hill indicated that expanding the multipurpose room at the Southern Village Elementary School would have cost about $650,000. By contrast, a "free standing" gym at the Hargraves Community Center will cost $1,500,000. With this in mind, I would urge you to include a gymnasium in the new Orange County elementary school that will be constructed with funds from the proposed 1997 bond. Senior Centers: 1. Please consider siting the new Orange Multipurpose Senior Center on a school campus if that option is available. Siting schools, parks, and senior centers in close proximity provides, I believe, both financial and functional benefits. 2. The Chapel Hill Senior Center is an effective and model resource that deserves continued support. While it is probably appropriate for funding for the purchase of the facility to come from private partnership, please make certain that there are sufficient County resources available to ensure that the effort does not fail. Martin Feinstein 33