Agenda - 12-04-2017 - 8-a - Minutes

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12 1 this sets a good example to these two groups of students. She said the School Board is 2 invested in both of these projects, and a smaller work group would be helpful. She said there is 3 not enough money, and conversations should have begun earlier between the schools and the 4 County. 5 Pat Heinrich said he agreed with the prioritizing the Lincoln Center project. He wants to 6 move forward wisely, but wants to move as quickly as possible before costs rise any further. 7 Joal Broun said she agreed with her colleagues about the priorities, but there are other 8 school buildings, like Chapel Hill High, that need to be renovated. She said the time will come 9 when it will no longer be possible to kick the can down the road. 10 Commissioner Burroughs said this is a bind, and as the County gets its financial 11 forecast in January it will be able to plan out further. She said there are significant needs in all 12 of the schools, and it is good to have this discussion. 13 Commissioner Marcoplos said everyone felt these projects had been accomplished, but 14 then realities set it. He said he took a tour of Chapel Hill High School, and it does need a lot of 15 work. He asked what happens to Chapel Hill High if all of the money goes to Lincoln Center, 16 and said it may be helpful to get the bidders to do a three part break out of the Lincoln Center 17 Project just to have the information. 18 Commissioner Rich said 2/3 of the students in CHCCS go to new high schools, and 1/3 19 of students go to Chapel Hill High that is falling apart. She asked if CHCCS knows what it will 20 say to the parents at Chapel Hill High School, if they prioritize Lincoln Center. She said as a 21 parent, she sees Chapel Hill High School as the priority. 22 Commissioner Rich said there are so many variables at play, and a lot is being asked of 23 everyone. She appreciates the cooperative spirit that the schools are putting forward this 24 evening. 25 Rani Dasi said she is also a parent of students at Chapel Hill High School, and for her 26 own children she would like CHHS finished today, but it is important to think of the district as a 27 whole. She said there is no other way to solve capacity at the elementary level, and the highest 28 priority has to be on closing the early gaps. She said the small group discussion is a good idea, 29 but she expects it will reach the same conclusion. 30 Commissioner Jacobs said this reminds him of the operating budget process, in that the 31 BOCC does not tell the schools how to spend its money, despite having the legal authority to do 32 so. He said ultimately the BOCC will defer to the schools in making its own priorities, but if the 33 County and the schools plan to work together, feelings will occasionally get hurt. He said if 34 Lincoln Center is completed, the schools will have to make do with what is left to accomplish 35 work at CHHS. He said there are no additional monies, and it is important to be realistic. 36 Commissioner McKee thanked Rani Dasi for speaking plainly, and he said he believes 37 the Lincoln Center project is the top priority. He said he is a bit disappointed that the evening 38 did not begin with a clear opinion from the School Board. He said if the Lincoln Center project 39 proceeds, he sees no point in not doing it completely. He said he will not vote for any further 40 increase in taxes, and the best hope he can see for CHHS is a renovation. 41 Commissioner Price said she agreed with Commissioner McKee, and she asked if it is 42 possible to phase the projects at CHHS. 43 Rani Dasi said that is something the School Board can look at, and with that project they 44 will have more time. 45 Rani Dasi asked if there is a way for the School Board to think about long-term facility 46 needs, if Orange County has no more funding. 47 Chair Dorosin said those would be questions for the small work group. He said there is 48 general consensus to create a small work group, and keep the 12/26 deadline as of now. He 49 said this group can review all options, and set both a short-term and long-term agenda. He 50 said there will be many tough conversations ahead, but all can work together.