BC 2004 01 13 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

January 13, 2004 Page 335 meeting with elected officials on November 20, 2003. The critical needs included the construction of the following seven new schools over five years at an estimated cost of $139.2 million (including land costs): New elementary school on the Harris Road Middle School property; New high school to be located in the Southwest area of the county; New elementary school in the Northwest area; New A. T. Allen Elementary replacement school; New middle school in the West/Central area; New elementary school in the Southwest area of the County; and New elementary school in the West/Central area of the County. Capital facility needs included the following: Completion of athletic facilities at middle schools and Jay M. Robinson High School; Concord High School Media Center; Northwest Cabarrus High School/Science Lab Additions; Mt. Pleasant Middle School/Remodel; Coltrane-Webb Elementary School-Remodel Old Building; Bus Garage/Relocation; Instructional Technology/ Relocation; and Classroom Additions. Dr. Winkler also reviewed local current operating expenses and regular capital outlay. A summary of the five-year expansion operating budget included the following: Increase supplements for teachers, principals and assistant principals; Additional Exceptional Children Teachers and assistants; Additional English as Second Language teachers; Additional Academically Gifted teachers; Additional Remediation Teachers at elementary and middle school levels; Bus monitors for middle school buses; Resource Officers for middle schools; Testing Coordinators at High Schools; Increase in technology funding; and Academic supplement for teachers at schools with a high at-risk student population. Regular capital outlay included additional new school buses and the purchase, relocation, wiring, furnishing and set-up costs of mobile classrooms. In conclusion, Dr. Winkler urged the Board to consider funding for the school facility needs, including the possibility of a bond referendum or a combination of bond funding and certificates of participation. He emphasized the need to talk about the development of a timeline as to how to fund the school facility needs. The meeting was opened for questions and discussion. Issues addressed included the school population in certain schools, the impact of the "No Child Left Behind" initiative, class size, the use of mobile units, Title I funding and ~'at-risk" schools, funding for additional buses, the continuing growth in Cabarrus County, the economic impact associated with residential development in the county and the need to look at all funding options besides a bond issue and higher property taxes to fund school facility needs. Ms. Pam Dubois, Finance Director, reminded the Board of the $25 million in funding needed for the construction of the new jail facility. Commissioner Carruth suggested that a committee of representatives from the County, RCCC, County Schools and Kannapolis be established to discuss the school facility needs, financing options, etc., and to report back to the Board by the end of February. Chairman Freeman reported he and the County School Board Chair currently meet on a regular basis to discuss educational issues. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Carruth, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter and unanimously carried, the Board agreed to use the current relationship developed between the County Commission Chairman and the County School Board Chair and to expand it to include representatives from the Kannapolis City Schools and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College for discussion and fine tuning of school facility needs and financing options with a report to be brought back to the Board of Commissioners by the end of February. Chairman Freeman thanked all for attending the meeting. He stated a meeting would be scheduled in the near future to discuss the facility needs and how to finance those needs. Recess of Meeting There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Freeman recessed the meeting at 9:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2004, at the Cabarrus County Governmental Center. Clerk to the Board