Agenda - 09-23-2002 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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,t Prepared 9179102 DRAFT' There was consensus that staff should try to arrange a meeting among Chairs and IOG staff, before the 9/23 joint meeting of the school boards and BOCC if possible. Discussion ensued about the importance of distinguishing between "combining" and "collaborating". Barry noted that the BOCC just wants to challenge some of our existing assumptions, and examine whether something is the best possible way, or are there other ways we might want to consider, whether that relates to efficiency or something else. Barry made reference to a recent letter and resolution from the Chapel Hill Town Council expressing their interest in getting involved in the discussion about the location of a thins high school. John noted Chapel Hill's determination that they are not willing to swap land from Southern Community Park for a possible high school site and wondered about whether such discussion is accordingly a functional use of time. Neil noted that such discussion would involve three sites they've looked at. One is across 15-501 on difficult terrain that could work with extra cost, but their consultant has recommended not to pursue that. The second site would be on Smith Level Road, but outside Chapel Hill's urban service boundaries. Would they consider moving that line? The third site is on Ray Road, and the CHCCS first choice, but another party is interested in that. There is some merit in reconsidering those 3 sites. Valerie Foushee noted that early on she and Nick Didow talked with the Mayor about moving the urban services boundary, but that didn't seem to be something the Town would consider. She thinks the tenor of this recent letter leads one to believe that the door to that may not be closed. Barry asked if we talk about a smaller high school and less than 50 acres, would that open up other sites? Neil responded that these three are all smaller than 50 acres — about 40 or so. What athletic facilities would be lacking would depend on how much parking is needed, how many floors are constructed, and how much of the 40 acres or so would be actually usable. There might be only 2 fields and some tennis courts, not a full stadium - certainly, there would be something well short of what's at the Smith/CHHS complex. Neil also noted there are watershed issues, especially with adjoining other properties. He doesn't know the specific limit, but they went well below 50 acres in their search — probably as low as 25-30 acres. There are other properties, but some owners weren't willing to discuss a sale. Gloria Faley noted that the letter begs another question regarding good collaboration on use of other fields. There was substantial discussion about timeline and considerations for the Board of Education's determination about what size, programming, etc. CHCCS wants in a high school. Valerie noted that it is very difficult until we have a site to decide how big, what kind of school to have. CHCCS knows it will be very difficult to do a 1500 student school. Another possibility could be 750 kids at Lincoln Center and 750 at one of the southern sites. Gloria noted that the CIP says they want at least a 750 student site, but have a population to address for a total of 1500. Lincoln Center could be a site for 750,