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7 <br />important to note that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is the only Triangle <br />area school system to exceed enrollment projections by the 10~' day of school. <br />The attached Exhibit A details enrollment and capacity at each elementary <br />school and depicts the acute need for another elementary school to relieve <br />overcrowding. The exhibit also includes information regarding each school's <br />enrollment compared to the acceptable Level of Service. An acceptable Level of <br />Service was approved by the School Board in anticipation of the implementation <br />of a School Adequate Public Facility Ordinance. In June 2000, the School Board <br />approved 1 Q5% as an acceptable Level of Service for elementary school <br />enrollment. The 105% level of service probably will be exceeded this current <br />school year or, certainly by next year, <br />Preliminary Project Costs <br />In developing the attached preliminary project budget, the most recent <br />construction bids from Smith Middle School were used as a basis to project <br />estimates. While future construction costs can be difficult to: accurately forecast, <br />using the middle school's 1999 actual bids provides a solid basis for the <br />projections. It should be noted that approval this November of the State bond <br />referendum for the university system's facility needs may escalate construction <br />costs. A similar condition developed a few years ago when a State bond <br />referendum for K-1.2 construction was approved. <br />The preliminary project budget of $14,858,475 is outlined on F_xhibit B and <br />conforms to the model advanced as part of Orange County's School Facility <br />Construction Standards. It contains individual budgets for specific project <br />components such as construction, site development, fees, f~miture, technology, <br />start up costs, and contingency. Included in the budget information is an <br />additional line item of $715,000 to upgrade the elementary school's multi- <br />purpose room to a community gymnasium. This type of enhancement has been <br />discussed in the context of other school construction projects and is presented <br />now for consideration and possible inclusion in the project. <br />Exhibit C presents the project schedule and indicates an aggressive~plan to open <br />the new school for the 2003-04 school year. In order to meet the schedule, <br />architectural and engineering planning services must begin immediately. <br />$573,000 is required for these services through the initial phases of the project. <br />In order to meet this expense, it.is suggested that the $235,000 recently offered <br />for startup costs associated with Smith Middle School and $338,000 of the Smith <br />construction bid savings be assigned to the planning phase of the new <br />elementary school. <br />If it is determined that the cost of the new elementary school will be met through <br />a bond referendum, it is suggested that the bond referendum be offered to the <br />