Orange County NC Website
3 <br /> Commissioner Rich asked if the changes between the original OCS recommendations, <br /> and the updated version being presented this evening, could be highlighted. She also asked if <br /> the transportation component of the recommendations could be explained, including how <br /> much each school district will be contributing. <br /> Pam Jones said the OCS Board of Education (BOE) went through priorities based on <br /> the completed study of its facilities. She said items were prioritized as a 1, 2, or 3. She said <br /> the BOE decided to focus only on items prioritized as a 1 or 2, such as the HVAC systems. <br /> She said there are some deficiencies in the facilities that need upgrading for safety purposes. <br /> She said the bond proceeds that each district would receive were realigned, and it was <br /> determined what could be funded separately from that. She said this change is reflected in the <br /> revised document. She said Grady Brown Elementary is in need of roof repairs, but with those <br /> repairs comes asbestos abatement, which simply cannot be funded by the regular CIP <br /> allotment. <br /> Pam Jones said both districts are still working to finalize the transportation figures. She <br /> said part of the question remains based on the site that is chosen, as this will affect the cost. <br /> She said CHCCS plans to allocate its portion of the $1 million to this project, but it is not yet <br /> known if this will be sufficient, as the plans are not yet finalized. <br /> Commissioner Rich said the $52.6 million is more than the schools will get from bond <br /> funds, and she asked if priorities will have to again be reviewed. <br /> Pam Jones said part of the costs will be offset by CHCCS. She said there is some <br /> latitude in some of these projects, with HVAC for example. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if the removal of the food service projects means these <br /> projects will no longer be accomplished. <br /> Pam Jones said these projects have been incorporated in various CIP funding sources. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said the high school capacity is no longer viable, according to <br /> the hand out. She asked if this has been discussed with CHCCS. <br /> Pam Jones said when SAPFO was created when the world was different, and she said <br /> they are asking to look at 107 for middle schools and 110 capacity for the high schools to see <br /> if these numbers can be lowered. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier referred for the Cedar Ridge High School classroom wings, and <br /> asked if there is a process to determine size. <br /> Pam Jones said part of this is determined by the school construction standards, which <br /> designates this as a 1,500 capacity high school. She said it was sized as such in the original <br /> master plan which has been adhered to. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is a timeline for building a transportation facility <br /> and if there is a plan for the existing facility. <br /> Pam Jones said the older transportation facility may be used for storage of buses. <br /> She said the delay of the transportation facility is the lack of land. She said Chatham County <br /> has a good model, which was constructed in about 18 months. She said the first priority is the <br /> HVAC at Orange High School, then Cedar Ridge, and then a transportation facility. <br /> Chair McKee referred to the capacity for Cedar Ridge High School (CRHS) and asked if <br /> the upcoming SAPFO calls for an expansion. <br /> Paul Laughton said there is nothing in the SAPFO right now. <br /> Donna Coffey said OCS has to contend with growth as well, and the SAPFO does not <br /> include Mebane. She said the SAPFO projections are understated since so much <br /> development is forthcoming. <br /> Commissioner Burroughs said SAPFO is based on current student numbers as well as <br /> the past five years. She said when new developments are built in the CHCCS district, the <br /> SAPFO numbers do not reflect these until the students show up in the schools. <br />