Bc 2009 05 18 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

May 18, 2009 (Regular Meeting) Page 1379 2009-2010 school year and there is no room for additional mobile units on campus; the student capacity issue at the high school is amplified by NCDPI's recommendation of 750-800 sq.ft. for classroom size; the wing addition will provide the space and resources necessary to teach advance science courses, international studies, and foreign language courses, and will include space for core lab classes and computer labs; the renovation of the current vocational building at the high school will allow for better use of new technology; courses offered in the new vocational building will include horticulture and art classes, exceptional children classes, along with JROTC and other classrooms located there presently; bids were received for the project on March 20, 2009 and were significantly lower than the price expected; etc. Holly Burdette, who resides at 8000 Cotton Street, Harrisburg, stated her husband and she moved to Cabarrus County because of the great schools located here. She asked the Board to act soon in approving the funding needed for new school facilities, noting school overcrowding. She stated the longer the delay, the greater the increase of construction costs. Ian Prince, who resides at 4750 Yellow Poplar Lane, Concord, stated his desire to see the County take advantage of current market conditions and avoid inflation pressures and additional costs associated with the purchase of land and additional mobile classrooms. He stated the following: the design and construction elements incorporated into the new facilities will lower operating costs and keep budgets in line; the construction of these new facilities will help to employ more Cabarrus County citizens; the County's current tax rate is less than it was 10 years ago; and the tax rate in Cabarrus County is in the bottom 25 percent across the country. Mr. Prince then read the following quote from Fitch Ratings International: "The `AA-` COPS rating reflects the county's solid credit characteristics, the essentiality of the mortgaged property, and sound legal provisions. The `AA' GO rating incorporates Cabarrus County's healthy financial flexibility... and continued diversification of the local economy. The county's rapidly growing population has resulted in significant capital pressures, especially in the area of school construction. The Stable Rating Outlook incorporates Eitch's belief that the county's efforts to address school capital needs will be successful while maintaining affordable debt service levels." Kathryn Prince, who resides at 4750 Yellow Poplar Lane, Concord, stated she is a parent of a first grade student at A. T. Allen Elementary school, a teacher's assistant, and the vice-president of the Parent/Teacher Organization. She commented at length on the poor traffic and parking conditions at and around the school and the large number of students in classrooms and mobile units. Mary Gray, who resides at 5905 Barefoot Lane, Concord, stated she is the A. T. Allen Parent/Teacher Organization's Co-president, and commented on the following: the overcrowding issue at the school; the dangerous situation the students would be in should a natural disaster or lockdown occur; the need for more classrooms to hold "English as a Second Language" (ESL) classes; and the lack of storage space in the facility. Chasity Williams, who resides at 5182 Highway 601 South, Concord, stated several members of her family, including her children, have attended A. T. Allen school. She stated the school cannot grow with the community, noting the following: overcrowding; the need for additional storage space and classrooms; and the need for more security to protect students. Krista Collins, who resides at 9923 Clubview Drive, has two children who attend A. T. A11en School. She noted the following: safety of the students is a major concern at the school; there is a lack of space for parents to be involved at the school; and there is a large amount of foot traffic on the road in front of the facility. Eugene Lane, a Cabarrus County resident, commented on the need for building code updates which will become effective July 1, 2009. He also expressed his understanding that the traffic at A. T. Allen School's current location is heavy, yet stated traffic will be equally as heavy at the proposed site for the new school on Miami Church Road. Lacy Aliss, a former student at A. T. A11en, stated the music classroom was once on the stage in the gymnasium and students had been hit with basketballs. She also noted students have seen snakes at the school. Resolution No. 2009-12