Orange County NC Website
9 <br /> 1 Commissioner Dorosin said he hopes CHCCS will look at race and socio-economic <br /> 2 status during this process, to ensure there are no inequities across the districts. <br /> 3 Commissioner Fowler said there was a decrease in elementary school students over <br /> 4 past year, and noted that CHCCS projected the number would go back up. She said if the <br /> 5 numbers stayed lower it might allow them to relocate students more easily to get some work <br /> 6 done in the elementary schools. <br /> 7 Patrick Abele said there was a change in students doing remote learning, or students <br /> 8 seeking other options. He said CHCCS is enrolling students every day. He said they are <br /> 9 monitoring enrollment, and meet weekly to review class size projection to make sure they are <br /> 10 within capacity limits, and are ready to bring additional requests as needed. He said CHCCS <br /> 11 staff can get a report on current enrollment. <br /> 12 Chair Price asked if there is a year or timeframe when the schools were checked and <br /> 13 abated for asbestos, or will this come up during construction and repairs. <br /> 14 Patrick Abele said it is both. He said asbestos was used in schools to fireproof back in <br /> 15 the 1950s, 1960s, and maybe early 1970s. He said CHCCS must send three-year plans to the <br /> 16 state, as well as conduct semi-annual checks. He said everything is encapsulated and safe, <br /> 17 and if it is not, CHCCS brings in individuals to abate. He said there is money in every year's <br /> 18 budget in case abatement has to happen. He said CHCCS knows where the asbestos is in <br /> 19 most schools (roofs, floor tiles, etc.), and it is highly regulated, tracked and monitored. He said <br /> 20 it is known and they make sure all the regulations are completed for the projects. <br /> 21 Eric Allen said the only other place it could be is in the windowsill caulking in older <br /> 22 schools. <br /> 23 <br /> 24 b. OCS Presentation of Capital Needs <br /> 25 Dr. Kathleen Dawson said OCS has finished renovations at Cameron Park Elementary <br /> 26 School Phase 1. She said prior to starting the phase two work, OCS is replacing the flooring, <br /> 27 which does include asbestos abatement, and work will begin this summer to start this process. <br /> 28 She said a number of schools have new roof systems, as well as lighting upgrades. She said <br /> 29 there has been continued replacement of exterior asbestos siding panels. She said there was a <br /> 30 ribbon cutting for the new "J wing" at Cedar Ridge High School. She said students and staff <br /> 31 have already moved in and started classes. She said prep work has begun at the Ag and CTE <br /> 32 site work for the barn. <br /> 33 Dr. Kathleen Dawson said the main work has been replacing roofing and HVAC <br /> 34 systems. She said there was an unexpected increase in the price of materials and labor, which <br /> 35 has made it hard to stay within the budget. She said the supplemental deferred maintenance is <br /> 36 helping to cover additional costs of HVAC work. She said they are finding that in order to <br /> 37 upgrade the system, new electrical, lighting, and fire alarm systems are also required. She said <br /> 38 the question arose of whether to only get a few schools done fully, or if all schools get partial <br /> 39 work. She said they are trying to expedite the projects, especially because good air quality is <br /> 40 necessary due to COVID. <br /> 41 Dr. Kathleen Dawson said OCS was ready to start the Central Elementary project this <br /> 42 summer, but found the HVAC portion was delayed because the materials and equipment could <br /> 43 not be received in time. She said the number of contractors who responded to the bid was <br /> 44 limited, because they are also concerned about labor and material costs. She said OCS is <br /> 45 trying to look at the planned projects to determine what parts can begin now in preparation, so <br /> 46 as soon as materials come in work can begin. She said the hope is to do some of the work this <br /> 47 summer. <br /> 48 Dr. Kathleen Dawson said work will continue at AL Stanback, which requires a <br /> 49 mechanical equipment renovation for the whole campus and requires systems to be shut down <br /> 50 and temporary heating and cooling methods provided. She said once the flooring is done at <br /> 51 Cameron Park, phase 2 work will begin. She said there are other projects across the district, <br />