Minutes 04-27-2021 Virtual BOCC-Schools Joint Meeting

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9 capital needs in schools. He said 10 years was probably too long, based on growth in Chapel Hill, but no there is no best practice. Commissioner Dorosin said he hopes CHCCS will look at race and socio-economic status during this process, to ensure there are no inequities across the districts. Commissioner Fowler said there was a decrease in elementary school students over past year, and noted that CHCCS projected the number would go back up. She said if the numbers stayed lower it might allow them to relocate students more easily to get some work done in the elementary schools. Patrick Abele said there was a change in students doing remote learning, or students seeking other options. He said CHCCS is enrolling students every day. He said they are monitoring enrollment, and meet weekly to review class size projection to make sure they are within capacity limits, and are ready to bring additional requests as needed. He said CHCCS staff can get a report on current enrollment. Chair Price asked if there is a year or timeframe when the schools were checked and abated for asbestos, or will this come up during construction and repairs. Patrick Abele said it is both. He said asbestos was used in schools to fireproof back in the 1950s, 1960s, and maybe early 1970s. He said CHCCS must send three-year plans to the state, as well as conduct semi-annual checks. He said everything is encapsulated and safe, and if it is not, CHCCS brings in individuals to abate. He said there is money in every year's budget in case abatement has to happen. He said CHCCS knows where the asbestos is in most schools (roofs, floor tiles, etc.), and it is highly regulated, tracked and monitored. He said it is known and they make sure all the regulations are completed for the projects. Eric Allen said the only other place it could be is in the windowsill caulking in older schools. b. OCS Presentation of Capital Needs Dr. Kathleen Dawson said OCS has finished renovations at Cameron Park Elementary School Phase 1. She said prior to starting the phase two work, OCS is replacing the flooring, which does include asbestos abatement, and work will begin this summer to start this process. She said a number of schools have new roof systems, as well as lighting upgrades. She said there has been continued replacement of exterior asbestos siding panels. She said there was a ribbon cutting for the new"J wing" at Cedar Ridge High School. She said students and staff have already moved in and started classes. She said prep work has begun at the Ag and CTE site work for the barn. Dr. Kathleen Dawson said the main work has been replacing roofing and HVAC systems. She said there was an unexpected increase in the price of materials and labor, which has made it hard to stay within the budget. She said the supplemental deferred maintenance is helping to cover additional costs of HVAC work. She said they are finding that in order to upgrade the system, new electrical, lighting, and fire alarm systems are also required. She said the question arose of whether to only get a few schools done fully, or if all schools get partial work. She said they are trying to expedite the projects, especially because good air quality is necessary due to COVID. Dr. Kathleen Dawson said OCS was ready to start the Central Elementary project this summer, but found the HVAC portion was delayed because the materials and equipment could not be received in time. She said the number of contractors who responded to the bid was limited, because they are also concerned about labor and material costs. She said OCS is trying to look at the planned projects to determine what parts can begin now in preparation, so as soon as materials come in work can begin. She said the hope is to do some of the work this summer.