Agenda - 09-20-1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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p 4.F OPPOSITION TO THE CHCCS NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROPOSAL Putting Children First continues to oppose the proposed funding of $10.6 million for the construction a new elementary school in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS). The cost is excessive for the need, usurps much needed contingency funds, bypasses the common consent of the citizens through the voting process, mortgages City School property to the County, and in no way guarantees a long-term solution to the problems of overcrowding and improving the academic performance of the students. In a published newspaper article last week, Superintendent Pedersen twice mentioned the fact that McDougle Middle School had been nationally recognized by winning two design awards. It is obvious with a $10.6 million request that he is seeking additional design awards in the elementary school category. We don't need an elite elementary school in an ever increasing elitist community. Is he conducting research on how many square feet of school space contributes to improved performance of at-risk children? According to Dr. Charles Weaver, Assistant State Superintendent for facilities, there are presently 6,039 schools in North Carolina. Seventy percent of them are at least 25 years old, 50% are at least 35 years old, and a significant number are at least 50 years old. He is working to promote recognition of the seriousness of the health and safety concerns of these buildings throughout the state, and to encourage funding and action at the state level to reduce the risks to our children. With the CHCCS proposal there will be no available funds to maintain existing buildings, perhaps for years to come. Two elementary schools in the CHCCS system are now almost 40 years old. You are aware of the recent elementary school fire in North Carolina that has been linked to aged electrical wiring. Do we want safe schools or do we want design awards? Only you as Orange County Commissioners can put a stop to the "spoiled child syndrome" the CHCCS district exhibits. For years it has been given whatever it has wanted. Its annual continuation budget request still does not get detailed scrutinizing, allowing discontinued programs to receive funding without accountability, such as the Phillips Middle School AG program last year. As we have mentioned before, there are feasible alternatives to the proposed new school to ease overcrowding for two more years that have not yet been given serious consideration. A promising one is to move the fifth graders to the three middle schools. Two years will be sufficient to conduct proper demographics, attain more accurate growth projections, determine accurate school needs, and prevent the confusion, chaos, and expected cost overruns that the simultaneous construction of two schools would bring, and allow for a proper funding mechanism through a bond referendum. It's time now to discipline the spoiled child and say "NoTM. Eugene C. Cole 967-4314