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The Guilford County Board of Education met in a special called meeting to discuss issues related to a proposed bond referendum on Monday, October 9, 2006, at 712 North Eugene Street, Greensboro, North Carolina. The following board members were present: Kris Cooke, Alan Duncan, Darlene Garrett, Deena Hayes, Dot Kearns (arrived at 6:08 p.m.), Susan Mendenhall, Amos Quick (arrived at 6:08 p.m.), Nancy Routh (arrived at 7:26 p.m.) and Anita Sharpe (departed at 8:15 p.m.). Board members Walter Childs and Marti Sykes were absent. Also present was Superintendent Terry Grier.
Call to Order
Chairman Duncan called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence
Anita Sharpe led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.
Approval of the Agenda
Chairman Duncan asked board members to review the meeting agenda and called for a motion to approve or amend it. Motion was made by Anita Sharpe, seconded by Deena Hayes, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed upon unanimous voice vote.
Proposed Bond Referendum Update
Chief Operations Officer Kevin Lear presented information to the board pertaining to Guilford County Schools’ Capital Improvement Program 2007 Bond Planning Data. Student enrollment in Guilford County points to the critical need for additional seats in both existing schools and new schools. In November, 1999 the district was educating children in 441 mobile classrooms. In October, 2006 that number has grown to 648 mobile classrooms. Additionally, many schools are in need of renovation and repair.
The planning data presented represents a significant portion of the facility needs in GCS. However, the needs go well beyond those included in Mr. Lear’s presentation. The information was presented as a starting point for discussion of the facility needs and to generate dialogue related to priorities. The estimates are based on historical data and current construction industry trends. They are very general in nature and are intended as a planning estimate at this point in time. As priorities are developed, it will be necessary to refine the estimates based on a site-by-site detailed needs assessment and project scope. It will also be necessary to develop a timeline for proposed projects in order to apply the appropriate inflation rate.
$300M Bond
Special Education Center West Phase II
When the 2003 bond was passed, Special Education Center West, Phase II was promised as a follow-on project for a future bond. Phase I was included in the 2003 bond. Former Gateway Principal Dale Metz reported that there has been an approximate increase of 400 percent in the autistic population. As a result, it may be more appropriate to have a separate site for developmentally disabled children included in Phase II, with another site for physically disabled children as part of Phase I. Betty Ann Chandler, executive director of exceptional children, stated that, with a growth rate of 300 to 400 children with disabilities each year, the biggest problem the school district is facing now is lack of space. Additionally, Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) requirements state that the school district must educate children with very specialized needs (those requiring feeding tubes, respirators, nursing care, etc.), who, a decade ago, would not have been in school. She appealed to the board to think about a facility which would meet the needs of these children and to look down the road and be prepared for continued growth. Discussion between board members and administrative staff followed regarding possible options for consideration. Chairman Duncan summarized as follows:
- Administration was asked to pursue the Simeon Stadium option as a possibility for physically fragile children in the High Point area and see if this is a feasible approach for Phase I and to move forward as quickly as possible.
- Identify another site for the severely autistic children as part of
Phase II.
- Not dissimilar to Allen Jay Middle School, several uses of McIver have been contemplated. If McIver is used for a different purpose in the future, the board will need to think about another facility for special education students with severe autism issues. Chairman Duncan stated the board will consider this when moving forward.
Superintendent Grier stated that administration will study the options discussed and report back to the board at a future meeting.
Jamestown Middle School
The board has already agreed this project is a priority. There was discussion on whether the proposed scope of a 1,200-student core capacity for this school is too large for a middle school. It was recommended that this proposal remain unchanged for now as other proposed projects are studied, at which time the board will readdress this project.
Ragsdale High School
It was recommended that this proposal remain unchanged for now as other proposed projects are studied, at which time the board will readdress this project in regard to proposed core capacity.
Guilford Middle School
This item was included on the previous $300M Bond for destruction. The initial proposal was to demolish an existing wing. The staff, upon further review, believes that with some additional expenditure, there can be productive use of this wing. Joe Hill, contracted services, stated that the current proposal is to refurbish the elementary wing so it can be used for additional middle school students rather than demolishing the building and creating a parking lot as originally proposed. The board will make a decision on investing into this wing at a later date.
New Schools
Airport Area High School
The concept is to build a high school, not necessarily at the airport, but somewhere in that area, where approximately 50-75 acres of land can be purchased. The desire is to alleviate crowded conditions at Northwest, Southwest and Western high schools.
Southeast Area High School
The scope of this project is similar to the scope of the airport area high school, with this proposed school relieving pressure from Southeast, Eastern and possibly Dudley high schools. If this school is built, some dollars still need to be spent for Southeast and Eastern high schools’ renovations. Chairman Duncan stated that the dollars should be tempered based on this potential new school being built. The board will continue to study this.
Airport Area Middle School, Southeast Area Middle School, Airport Area Elementary School, Southeast Area Elementary School
There was discussion regarding whether building K-8 schools would be preferable to building
6-8 schools. It was agreed that further investigation will be done with respect to the K-8 option. In regard to Southeast Area Middle School, there are three alternatives to explore: building a new middle school in addition to what already exists, expanding the existing school or building a new middle school and using the existing school as a campus complex much like the Ragsdale proposal. In regard to Southeast Area Elementary School, in case a K-8 option is not chosen, the new school would provide relief to Sedalia, Alamance and possibly McLeansville elementary schools.
Simeon Stadium Area Middle School
The board will defer consideration of this project to focus on possible alternative uses for this property.
High School Renovations
Eastern High School
The proposed renovation at Eastern High School would consist of adding media, cafeteria and classroom space as well as an auxiliary gym. Chairman Duncan stated that if the new Southeast High School is built, the board would want to consider cutting back on some work being done at Eastern. The board requested additional information regarding projected growth.
Southeast High School
Additional consideration will be given after reviewing projected growth information.
Southwest High School
There was general support for this but with concern that only 25 new seats would be gained.
Grimsley High School
The proposed renovation would include adding a cafeteria and renovations to the main gymnasium.
High Point Central and Page High School
The proposed renovation would include gymnasium renovations. Board members requested additional information.
Academy at Dudley High School
This would include renovation to the English building and new classrooms to gain 300 seats. There were questions regarding programmatic development at this site.
Academy at Page High School
This proposal is for a new 300-student academy. There were questions regarding location as well as programmatic development at this site.
Academy at Andrews High School
This proposal is for a new 300-student academy. There were questions regarding location as well as programmatic development at this site. This is not a top priority for staff because of existing space at Andrews.
McIver Performing Arts Facility
It was decided to take this item and possibly include it as part of a future bond referendum.
High Point SCALE – English Road
This project was previously approved and should not be part of the bond. However, it must still be approved by county commissions to use lottery funds as a recommended funding source.
Greensboro SCALE - Craven
This proposal is for renovation of the existing Craven school for a SCALE program.
Middle School Renovations
Allen Jay Middle School
This proposal is for renovations to the existing facility. There were questions regarding location as well as programmatic development at this site.
Allen Middle School
This proposal is for a classroom addition and auxiliary gym. The board agreed this is a needed item.
Northwest Middle School
This proposal is for an auxiliary gym. The board agreed this is a needed item.
Elementary School Renovations
Madison Elementary School
This proposal is for new classroom, media and administration additions. The board is in favor of some relief for Madison but questioned the high cost.
Summerfield Elementary School
This proposal is for new classroom, media and multipurpose additions. Renovation to the cafeteria was suggested as an alternative to a multipurpose addition.
Pisgah Church Road Facility
This proposal is for renovation of the existing facility for use as an elementary school. A decision will be dependent on what will be done with Craven.
Athletic Facilities
Dudley High School
Detailed cost estimates are not yet available. Initially, the thought was to relocate the stadium and build a new stadium. Staff is now looking at major renovations at the existing location. The difficulty is how Dudley could function without that facility for a season. There is also the need for a softball field, practice field and soccer field. Some of these fields could be developed in the area between the English building and the tennis courts.
Page High School, Northwest High School
The proposal is for work including construction of stadiums, field houses, concession stands and press box facilities.
Other projects discussed included: resurfacing of tracks at 12 high schools, system-wide tennis courts, system-wide athletic field upgrades and system-wide sports lighting upgrades. Further discussion will be required in order to place appropriate priorities for these items.
Maintenance, Safety, Security
Projects to be considered in this category include: system-wide paving, system-wide roofing, system-wide HVAC upgrades, ADA and building code upgrades, security cameras and systems, fire alarms and sprinkler systems, general renovations and electrical upgrades. There was some concern by the board as to whether this category should be included in the bond referendum. Chairman Duncan stated that the single biggest issue is air conditioning and boiler replacement.
Other System-Wide Issues
Projects to be considered in this category include: technology infrastructure upgrades, bus maintenance facilities, maintenance department facilities, support/administrative facilities, land purchase for future sites, design costs for future projects and mobile classroom relocation. Chairman Duncan stated there is a strong need to address mobile classroom relocation as well as technology infrastructure upgrades. Superintendent Grier discussed the importance of land purchase for future sites.
Adjournment
With no further business, at 9:41 p.m., motion was made by Susan Mendenhall, seconded by Deena Hayes, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
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