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169 walk on hallways of ceramic tile floors and wainscots. The bathrooms are equipped with glass block entries, ceramic tile walls and floors, the highest quality partitions, hardware, and fixtures. They even have automatic flushing systems on the sinks and toilets, which we couldn't afford on the more expensive buildings we had built. The classrooms feature three banks of windows in each room, which provide an abundance of natural light. The classrooms utilize innovative commercial quality carpet squares, which are better wearing and are easier to clean and replace. The classrooms also contain individual room control of the heating and air conditioning units, which my teachers prefer. Storage casework is solid plywood with light oak finish, and each room has 28 large oak cubbies for students coats and bags. Our teachers, principals, board members, and county commissioners like the new buildings so well, we are now building an addition at Mt. Mourne Elementary and a new K-8 facility at Lake Norman using the same system and finishes. We also have drawings nearly completed for a new science laboratory building, which will be constructed at both North and South Iredell High Schools when the state board money is provided. We are currently studying the idea of redesigning the future high school, which was previously planned and budgeted using conventional materials and structural systems. The steel-framed buildings that Don, Steve, and Williams and Associates developed have all bid in the 60 to 65 dollar per square foot range. These projects provided us many more classrooms than we had hoped and saved us millions of dollars. We feel fortunate to have these competent and innovative building professionals working for our school system. Sincerely, /s/ Joseph R. Sinclair Joseph R. Sinclair, Ed.D. Superintendent Mr. Frank M. Williams, Architect with Williams & Associates, described the use of the steel frame buildings for school construction in Iredell County. He stated this construction method reduced both the time of construction as well as construction costs. According to Mr. Williams, the steel frame buildings were used for additions at several schools and in the design of a new K-8 facility currently under construction. He estimated the cost of the new elementary school at $65.00 per square foot, excluding property and movable furniture. Mr. Don Atkinson, Executive Director of Facilities for the Iredell County Schools, stated flexibility is the most important aspect of the steel frame construction method. He stated that school staff could easily add and/or remove walls to meet future school needs as well as install cabling as needed. Mr. Atkinson discussed other design factors, including restrooms, carpeting and wall materials. Mr. Williams and Mr. Atkinson responded to a number of questions by Board members concerning the steel frame construction method. There was discussion regarding life cycle costs, facility maintenance, cost savings and steel frame construction versus masonry construction. Commissioner Carpenter suggested that the Board of Commissioners and Board of Education travel together to visit the schools in Iredell County. Ms. Chris Lee, Chair of the Cabarrus School Board, stated that Board's willingness to travel with the Commissioners to visit Iredell County schools. However, she asked that they also visit schools in Cabarrus County in order to compare the different types of construction. Ms. Lee stated the School Board wants to build the most cost-effective buildings but must determine whether to save money up front or over the long life cycle of a building. Arrangements will be made for the two boards to visit schools in Iredell County and Cabarrus County. Hiqh School Desiqn Review - Chairman Barnhart