Agenda - 09-20-1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r cy.,?0/g To: County Commissioner County Manair-- From: Pam Freese Date: September 20, 1994 Subject: Support for the Proposed New Elementary School I am dismayed to learn that the proposed new elementary school,the first in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School District in 22 years,may be compromised in reaction to negative publicity about a square foot equation. A careful review of the facts will show that the incremental space is needed for key programs and uses including: • Flexibility to become a multi-track year-round school • The rooms for grades K through 3 have the same amount of space providing flexibility to accommodate programs and changes in enrollment. • Space within each room to support teaching methodology • Team teaching • Learning centers or stations • Space for technology • Computers • Television monitor • VCR • Teacher workspace and classroom storage • Afterschool program needs. With the current design all classrooms could be used for Afterschool groups. Last year I co-chaired a task force to expand the current program in order to eliminate the significant waiting lists. In spite of our efforts three schools(Carrboro,Frank Porter Graham, Ephesus)still have approximately 50 students each on the waiting list. Already the computer lab and dance or creative movement room have been eliminated even though other schools in the district have them. It's important to remember that many families select Chapel Hill/Carrboro (over Durham,Raleigh and Cary)because of the reputation of its school system. My family chose Chapel Hill in spite of the higher housing costs and taxes because we believed in public education and learned that Chapel Hill/Carrboro offered the best in the area. To date we've been pleased with our children's experience. My son,Benjamin is a sixth grader at McDougal Middle School. He was excited,but anxious about attending Middle School. He is now a proud, enthusiastic "Trailblazer",excited about his teachers, classes and projects. We attribute it to both the McDougal staff and the school facilities. Everyone should take time to tour this new school to view the results of thoughtful planning. You'll see that the construction is solid,that it's designed for flexibility,that students have access to important technology, and finally,that it creates the kind of atmosphere that encourages learning.