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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR f 6 8y6.
<br /> Says contractors to blame for school delay . 0-1AQUc.. 01..1.-
<br /> I feel compelled to express my dis- about the progress of the work. I be- , , /�/� �.1
<br /> k appointment in the editorial, "Mc- lieve that there was adequate super-
<br /> Dougle �Ll��'�
<br /> muddle" (8124194). May I vision of the project. I .�
<br /> • present a different point of view? Perhaps, we are guilty of putting 1'
<br /> School planners had the foresight in too much faith in the assurances of
<br /> 1991 to foresee the immediate need the contractors and the computerized
<br /> for a new elementary, middle, and project sheets to which they referred.
<br /> high school and advocated for this In realit ,however, th• '„• - •. Zia;
<br /> package during discussions with the nation or e project falling behind,
<br /> Orange County Commissioners on the schedule is that the contractors never,
<br /> bond package. We selected a site on put the resources on the job site that ,
<br /> which two schools could built a_11.0 'were required to get the job done de- ,.
<br /> could share some expensive facilities. 'spite our constant prodding to do so. .
<br /> is as a rather creative.-costs-aving. • The only other leverage that we
<br /> proposal that is becoming increas- had was the collection of liquidated
<br /> ingly popular' damages. Although we will pursue
<br /> Teachers were the major designers these,the reali is that_they are very
<br /> of the facility as a tour of McDougle .1'. o c.1•r ... .' •.uire.in all ,
<br /> would make evident. There is ample II elihood,another legal battle.
<br /> storage room, offices and telephones The editorial alludes to two othgr
<br /> for teachers, and a variety of class- problems editorial aria the es tot. It is her
<br /> rooms that support the instructional that excessive runoff water was r di-
<br /> sign program for middle schools. The de-
<br /> sign process was applauded by all par- rected to the lowest point in the site
<br /> ticipants and many of those same which resulted in flooding of a neigh-
<br /> teachers are now thrilled to be on the boring resident's property.
<br /> McDougle faculty. The school has re- I won't rehash all of this,but suffice
<br /> ceived two national design awards, it to say that we employed reputable
<br /> Recognizing the urgent need for the civil engineers whose plans were ap-
<br /> school, the administration devised a proved by the town of Carrboro's en-
<br /> strategy with the county administra- gineers to design a system that met
<br /> tors and commissioners which al- stringent codes.We are not experts in
<br /> lowed us to proceed with the design this field.,The'fact that most of the
<br /> of the middle school even before the compensation to the pro.e owner
<br /> bond referendum was passed.The ref- VI .e pail y e engineering firm
<br /> erendum was passed in November Indicates where the responsibility lies.
<br /> 1992. We broke ground within a ;The solution was a song time coming
<br /> month of the passage and 20 months and,I believe,many parties,including
<br /> later the school was occupied. the property owner, share some re-
<br /> I would challenge anyone to find ;sponsibility tor the delay. •,
<br /> another school in the state that was The parking lot lights were ordered
<br /> completed this soon after funds be- incorrectly; however, I would invite
<br /> came available. There may be some you to visit the site in the evening.
<br /> but I don't know of any.Compare this They seem very appropriate and it is
<br /> project's history with that of the unlikely that they are going to have
<br /> Chapel Hill town library, the bypass to be torn out.Considering the magni-
<br /> and the county's projects from the rude of this project, do a few prob-
<br /> 1988 bond referendum. Sure, we lems of this nature warrant accusa-
<br /> could have targeted the school for a Lions of mismanagement?
<br /> 1995 opening and made ourselves at 21 months
<br /> look good.Instead,we pushed the sys- after the bond referendum bottom line is tfherendum was
<br /> tern to the limits in an effort to pro- passed, a nationally recognized mid-
<br /> dents relief to our middle school stn- P
<br /> dents as soon as possible. die school is open, as scheduled, for
<br /> es in the administration the 199495 school year and was com-
<br /> Chan
<br /> a Dieted within budget. I.
<br /> didn't make this accomplishment any •
<br /> I have heard nothing but rave re-
<br /> easier. the two primary leaders Oct g
<br /> GR, +M ( this proiectre Richard Drake di- views from staff, students, and par-
<br /> 1,rector of facilities, an. : in m ents about the new facility. I am dis-
<br /> ormer ca ace as assistaII supgrlrl, mayed that what could have been one
<br /> tendent or support-5ervices.Dick left of the most positive stories about a
<br /> the district shortly after McDougle's wonderful addition to our community_
<br /> construction began and I was pro- ,has been repotted as a hlight on The ,
<br /> moted to superintendent two years school district_
<br /> ago.Otte revlacements weresf QttLiuit ''A sloppy lob from start to finish,'
<br /> side-[he_ d_ignct antL.neither–hatLdi- in Amy opinion, is not a fair or ac-
<br /> rect experience in school construc-, curate summation of this project orrof,
<br /> Hon. school officials'performance.
<br /> In order to provide adequate super- Nell Pedersen
<br /> vision for the project,.we contracted:,, The writer,Is the-superintendent of,
<br /> our architects for mull-lime the Chapel HIII-Carrbor'o City',Schools.
<br /> clerk of the wor — someone who The length limit was waived to allow a
<br /> wou a on site everyday to super- longer response to the editorial.
<br /> vise the contractors as the owner's
<br /> representative. This resource Was in FT,r 1 i. ' j'e ti 0 l'
<br /> addition to the standard project over - t,>� it,L� eiu fir; a
<br /> , sight provided through our architects 'z ' ' rk.+'j J" �,,i j"
<br /> The clerk of the works,the director of leas.,}$9��l i iv,ten3�jktdtit (t iTs
<br /> facilities and the principal met with G`p1 peIS,. I ti 1 ettg
<br /> the contractors on a weekly basis 4 gt, r'1Ch e, II I o X58 •1.
<br /> since last winter. , , '61,6}8 55' pt • .•
<br /> I personally met with the general 34 6 9rare s o i t ' }� M'
<br /> contractor on two occasions as early juo r hr w` 4� i! ,lr,
<br /> as last January to express my concern .i f,h'�' `•,'pn "a, ,,: ' .a°-•'+ '''','
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