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Kannapolis will get cash for schools By Jessie Burchette County commissioners appear willing to give Kanrtapolis City Schools money request- ed for capital projects including a new mid- dle schoM. But the county wiil ask for a written "prenup" ft'orn Cabarrus County before shar- ing the cust of building a new middle school or providing other capital funds. Commissioners appeared wiling to provide Rowan's share of the money, even if a bond is- n't approved later this year. County Manager Tim Russell got the green light to ask for the agreement. It will essen- tially specify that in case the Kannapolis and Cabarrus schools systems merge, Rowan will get either facilities or cash equivalent to the capital money put into the school system. Russell said there has been a verbal agree- merit for years, but it would be good to get it in writing. Commissioners agreed that while Rowan See ~(ANNAPOL,1S, page 2A KANNAPOLIS FROM PAGE lA · 'd~>esn't have a dog in the fight," they don't intend to do- nate money and buildings to another county. Dr. Jo Anne Byerly, super- intendent, told commissioners last week that Kannapolis is a strong and growing school sys- te~n and has no plans to merge. Byerly's brief presentation to the commissioners drew high praise. During the discussion phase of the Pinehurst retreat, board members took turns ap- phmding her presentation. Chaivnmn Steve Blount rec- ommended giving Kannapolis everything Byer/y asked for. There was nu dissent. "She gave needs, not fluff." said County Manager Tim Rus- sell A planned new middle scN,~l is projected to c.st $14 m ill ion. Rowa n's sba re, ba seal on 24 percent of the students, would be $3.4 million. Overall, Kannapolis is seek- ing $4.1 million for the middle school and other projects to deal with a boom in residential growth. Officials are project- lng that the school system will grow by I.U)0 students in the next several Commissioners brie[ly dis- cussed diffeFent funding for- mulas, t [i:m:,ricalls-, lis. xv[th al>~mT 5 percent iff' the roi'id t<,m'a n student p~)pu other capital money. Cabarrus County has sug- gested a different formula for the new middle school. With an estimated 24 percent of the students expected to be from Rowan, they are asking Rowan to pay 24 percent of the cost. Russell pninted out that Kannapolis' share of the pro- posed $ [00 million bond would about $5 million. Contact Jessie Burchette at 7L 4-707-425.4 or jt,ttrchcttc(O:sa, lisbttryposLcom.