Minutes 04-29-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Jacobs said the cost for Estes Hills renovations is $16 million, which is almost as much as the cost to build a new school. He asked when a decision is made to retire a school and build a new one. Todd LoFrese said the challenge here is that there are very few spaces within the CHCCS district boundaries to build new schools. He said a complete deconstruction and new build on site, given the fact that the schools are at 100 percent capacity, would be a challenge. He said there are so many different needs at so many different schools, and the price tag is often outside of reality. He said the goal was to identify the parts of the schools that were in good shape and could be renovated to add another 50 years of life expectancy. He said the schools that are beyond repair, too costly or with difficult code issues were recommended for deconstruction. Commissioner McKee asked about the $750,000 planning budget request. He asked if this was directed to a specific facility. Todd LoFrese said three facilities are being considered, including: Ephesus, Seawell, and the Lincoln Center pre-k center. He said these facilities would increase capacity by the greatest amount and one of them would be brought forward. Commissioner McKee asked if all of this hinges on the bond being passed. He asked what happens if the $750,000 is spent and the bond does not pass. Todd LoFrese said the design work could be done, and then used years later. He said this was what happened with both Northside and the Carrboro High School addition. Commissioner McKee said does not question the rationale for doing this. He just wants to make sure the money is well spent. Commissioner porosin said he appreciates the inclusion of the capacity increases in these proposals. He said the list by schools that was submitted in the packet does not show increased capacity for either of the middle schools. He said even if the elementary school renovations are done, the middle school would still be in the queue. Todd LoFrese said this is correct. Commissioner porosin asked if there been any discussion about possible opportunities to increase capacity in the middle schools. He asked specifically about Phillips Middle School. Todd LoFrese said this was considered. He said there are layout challenges with Phillips Middle School, and the standards also have to be considered. He believes that the number of students that would have to be added would change the standards, and you would have to consider how the school functions academically. He said there are two teams at each grade level and as size changes the instructional program has to run differently. He said the other thing with Phillips is that this type of renovation would likely involve so much deconstruction that a new school makes more sense. Commissioner porosin said given limited space and the increasing costs of renovations, weighing that balance needs to be more of a factor. He questioned whether it makes sense to do the elementary renovations or to do a larger new building. He said a balance has to be found. He said the list of needs and the bond create an opportune moment to reevaluate things. James Barrett said it is worth noting that within their ten year window, a space has been identified for middle school #5. He said looking at middle school capacity is not a big deal at this point. In reference to Commissioner McKee's concern about the $750,000, he said it is really re-swiveling the CIP Plan. He said there is an elementary school included there now for more money than the proposed expansion of the current school. He said capacity will be added at one of these schools, which will allow them to push out elementary #12 so that the overall CIP picture does not change. He feels that the $750,000 is useful regardless of what happens with the bond.