Minutes 11-20-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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12 Chair Dorosin said they cannot get everything they want, and they need to determine the highest priority. He said it seems that capacity is the highest priority, and he suggested building the pre-K center and waiting on the other parts of the Lincoln Center. He said if that is not possible, then a new plan needs to be developed, whatever that may be. He asked if CHCCS has a top priority. James Barrett said capacity is foremost in their minds, as the deadline must be met; but also the idea of splitting up the project is not good either. He said Phoenix Academy does great work and should not be disrupted, but the administrative office space is needed too. Rani Dasi said her preference would be the Lincoln Center project, with more time to re-visit Chapel Hill High. She said she is not in favor of breaking apart the Lincoln project. Margaret Samuels said she agreed with Rani Dasi and James Barrett. She said it is often difficult to spend money on administrative space, but it is good to have these offices located near to pre-K and Phoenix Academy. She said the administration is quite diverse, and this sets a good example to these two groups of students. She said the School Board is invested in both of these projects, and a smaller work group would be helpful. She said there is not enough money, and conversations should have begun earlier between the schools and the County. Pat Heinrich said he agreed with the prioritizing the Lincoln Center project. He wants to move forward wisely, but wants to move as quickly as possible before costs rise any further. Joal Broun said she agreed with her colleagues about the priorities, but there are other school buildings, like Chapel Hill High, that need to be renovated. She said the time will come when it will no longer be possible to kick the can down the road. Commissioner Burroughs said this is a bind, and as the County gets its financial forecast in January it will be able to plan out further. She said there are significant needs in all of the schools, and it is good to have this discussion. Commissioner Marcoplos said everyone felt these projects had been accomplished, but then realities set it. He said he took a tour of Chapel Hill High School, and it does need a lot of work. He asked what happens to Chapel Hill High if all of the money goes to Lincoln Center, and said it may be helpful to get the bidders to do a three part break out of the Lincoln Center Project just to have the information. Commissioner Rich said 2/3 of the students in CHCCS go to new high schools, and 1/3 of students go to Chapel Hill High that is falling apart. She asked if CHCCS knows what it will say to the parents at Chapel Hill High School, if they prioritize Lincoln Center. She said as a parent, she sees Chapel Hill High School as the priority. Commissioner Rich said there are so many variables at play, and a lot is being asked of everyone. She appreciates the cooperative spirit that the schools are putting forward this evening. Rani Dasi said she is also a parent of students at Chapel Hill High School, and for her own children she would like CHHS finished today, but it is important to think of the district as a whole. She said there is no other way to solve capacity at the elementary level, and the highest priority has to be on closing the early gaps. She said the small group discussion is a good idea, but she expects it will reach the same conclusion. Commissioner Jacobs said this reminds him of the operating budget process, in that the BOCC does not tell the schools how to spend its money, despite having the legal authority to do so. He said ultimately the BOCC will defer to the schools in making its own priorities, but if the County and the schools plan to work together, feelings will occasionally get hurt. He said if Lincoln Center is completed, the schools will have to make do with what is left to accomplish work at CHHS. He said there are no additional monies, and it is important to be realistic. Commissioner McKee thanked Rani Dasi for speaking plainly, and he said he believes the Lincoln Center project is the top priority. He said he is a bit disappointed that the evening