Minutes 11-20-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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11 creative can they be with other solutions. He said not to look at the December bid as the deadline, but rather to truly brainstorm. He said to him this is a chance to think differently and maybe phase the Chapel Hill High project. He said to set aside their assumptions and come up with some options together and forget about getting it done in 3 weeks. He said sometimes one has to spend money to save money. Chair Dorosin asked if the following slide would be put up, and asked if School Board members had comments: CHCCS Requests Assistance • Provide ideas and guidance for the options presented • Continue to work with County Director of Asset Management Services • Create a small work group, to include Orange County staff, CHCCS staff, Town of Chapel Hill staff, and others to continue to brainstorm cost reduction and to provide thoughts and guidance towards options moving forward School Board member comments: Rani Dasi said this is a hard conversation, and it feels as some of the ideas are abstract. She said all of these suggestions affect other costs, and how the children are educated. She said she does not feel that there is an appreciation of how much work has gone into this process thus far. She said there are other options, none of which are ideal. She said delaying will not lead to cost savings, but rather it is a kicking of the can down the road, the practice of which has lead to all these pressing needs being here in the first place. She said she understands that the County has limited resources, but the schools have increasing needs and she is unsure of the answer. Commissioner Price said she is interested in the third option of creating a small work group, and asked if there would still be a need to have a decision by December. Pam Baldwin said the December date is for the current bid, and it seems that this discussion is not on the table. She said the third bullet is simply stating the need for discussion about all of the projects moving forward, which is very important. She said the needs are real, and there must be a plan in place. Commissioner Price asked if it would be less agonizing to put the December deadline aside, and have a work group meet and start planning. Superintendent Baldwin said no matter what, CHCCS will leave tonight and work on how to meet legislative demands within the County's means. She said the agony will continue, but CHCCS would like to work in partnership with the County, as these issues will not go away. Commissioner Price asked if moving forward with option three would set aside the December date, and let the Board of County Commissioners meet in January to better assess resources, all the while working in a small group. Pam Baldwin said bullet three has the understanding of working towards the December deadline, while meeting in a small group to figure out next steps. Chair Dorosin asked if CHCCS has a preferred plan of attack: go with the Lincoln Center as bid, finding the additional funds. James Barrett said if CHCCS had a better answer, it would have provided it. He said the plans to address capacity and school construction standards are what the schools are working within. He said the BOCC wanted to expand capacity without building new schools, and this is the approach CHCCS has taken. He said cost escalation is beyond anyone's control, and CHCCS is asking for help. He said the current plans best meet all the agreements that are in place between the CHCCS and the County.