Orange County NC Website
FUNDED PLAN <br /> Major facility improvement projects in FY 2019-20 include continued removal of asbestos <br /> floor tile at Phillips Middle School as well as identification and correction of lower level <br /> water infiltration problem, repair and restoration of Smith Middle School's 6 tennis courts, <br /> window sealing at the oldest schools, establish a new playground at FP Graham Elementary <br /> School, correct poor baseboard conditions throughout McDougle Elementary School, begin <br /> replacement of HVAC units at Seawell Elementary School PODS, replacement of heat pumps <br /> at Culbreth Middle School, new HVAC unit in Carrboro Elementary School's auditorium, <br /> and replace the 23 year old chiller at East Chapel Hill High School. <br /> The CIP Contingency line has a current balance of$1,695,473 accumulated over the past few <br /> years. This year's plan does not add to the contingency in FY 2019-20 but rather directs all <br /> available funds to specific projects. It is recommended that the current contingency be <br /> maintained to address facility emergencies that may arise. <br /> Chapel Hill High School's renovation project, funded from proceeds of the 2016 School <br /> Bond referendum, is included in the Funded Plan. The high school project will continue <br /> through 2020-21. <br /> UNFUNDED PLAN <br /> The major component of the Unfunded Plan is the scheduled funds needed to renovate and <br /> expand the 7 remaining older schools identified in the 2013 Facilities Assessment. This <br /> assessment identified building code corrections, facility upgrades, and expansions to bring <br /> these schools as close as possible to the County's new school construction standards. As <br /> future plans are developed to address funding requirements, each school's assessment will <br /> need updating to reflect work that has been completed over the past 5 years and current <br /> construction costs to finish the projects. <br /> This year's SAPFO report has not been published. Of major concern is elementary school <br /> capacity and whether projection formulas will be adjusted to reflect State mandated <br /> reductions in class size. It is possible that SAPFO will indicate the need for additional <br /> elementary school classrooms. <br /> GENERAL FUND BALANCE DISCUSSION <br /> Over the past few years, the district's General Fund Balance has been monitored and allowed <br /> to accumulate above target levels. Initially, these funds were intended to supplement 2016 <br /> Bond funds and complete the Lincoln Center Campus redevelopment. However, <br /> construction cost escalation made it impossible to implement both the Chapel Hill High <br /> School and Lincoln Center plans. <br /> Current available General Fund Balance and Cell Tower revenues total $7.1 million. Of this <br /> amount, $2.3 million has been reserved for use at Chapel Hill High School project to <br /> construct the CTE building. While the renovation project's sales tax refunds and municipal <br /> reimbursements are expected to pay most of the cost of the CTE Building, General Fund <br /> Balance will be necessary to meet cash flow requirements and therefore must be reserved. <br />