Minutes 04-12-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

10 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the pre-K project at the Lincoln Center proceeds, will there be no more pre-K students at other elementary schools. Todd LoFrese said 20 classrooms are being designated to keep a pre-K at Frank Porter Graham Elementary School, since it is a dual language program, and perhaps at Carrboro Elementary for the same reason. Commissioner Jacobs said he asked Margaret Samuels to attend the meeting since she had worked in pre-K for years. Commissioner Jacobs said he read through all the materials and the rationale for changing the pre-K model. He asked if it is known which portion of the program would be funded locally. He remembered the conversation from years ago making the case that it is easier to transfer a pre-K student into an existing elementary school. He asked if the proposed LC project is better for the teaching staff or for the students. Margaret Samuels said pre-K is funded in many different ways. She said CHCCS runs the Head Start grant locally, but OCS runs its program slightly differently. She said as far what provides a good pre-k experience for a child is a consistent, licensed and trained teacher first and foremost. She said it would be optimal if there were enough money to put every child in a pre-K class at their assigned neighborhood school, but this is currently happening with less than 50% of the pre-K students. Margaret Samuels said the opportunities that the consolidation offers is that there would be health services at the Lincoln Center, ratio of teacher to children, programmatic benefits, and the most important piece is the availability for all of the pre-K teachers to collaborate, meet, train together, etc. at one site. She said this project is the best compromise at this time. Chair McKee referred to the next phase projects and said there is an expectation of future bonds. He read a portion of the abstract pertaining to Orange County's funds planned for future new schools. He asked if there could be clarification regarding this. Todd LoFrese said Phase 1 projects are bond projects. He said CHCCS has requested that for Phase 2 projects, the District be given access to what was in the CIP last year. He said the 10-year CIP included funding for elementary school number 12 and a high school addition at Carrboro High School. He said if these funds could be accessed to complete Phase 2 projects, then a new elementary school and a high school addition will not be necessary for quite some time. He said Phase 1 projects will significantly address capacity issues as well. Chair McKee asked if SAPFO numbers push out those two projects past the 10-year mark, what justification would there be to release those funds in year two or three. James Barrett said these funds were never intended for years two or three. Chair McKee said if these projects are to be completed over 10 years, then funds would need to be released in the third year. Todd LoFrese said a small amount of Phase 2 projects begin in FY 2018-19, but the majority of these projects are in FY 2020-21. James Barrett said it is harder for act any sooner, because once the pre-K students are co-located at the LC, there needs to be some flexibility at the schools in order to move students around during construction. Todd LoFrese said every year that passes gets the District a year closer to when a new school may be needed. He said there is a lull right now, and great strides can be made. Chair McKee said he is trying to understand the mechanics of these projects. He said there will be 189 additional seats provided by the LC project, and asked if that will not satisfy the capacity issues that Phase 2 seeks to address. Todd LoFrese said it delays the capacity need but not the condition of the schools. James Barrett said it is a buffer to complete the construction.