CHAPEL HILL- The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools board approved a 10-year spending plan on Thursday totaling $16.8 million, but members acknowledged the Capital Investment Plan does not include an estimated $87 million in unfunded needs, including $45 million worth of basic repairs to the district’s 10 oldest schools.

William Mullin, Executive Director of School Facilities, told the board that $45 million would bring the aging schools up to current safety and accessibility standards, but would not increase student capacity.

Without modifying existing schools to add room for more students, administrators estimate the district will need a new elementary and middle school by 2020, at a projected cost of $80 million.

Mullin told commissioners the district is receiving about $800,000 annually from the quarter cent sales tax approved by voters in 2011. Half of that is earmarked for technology needs, the rest for repairing older schools. While that will add up approximately $8.8 million by 2024, Mullin said it is not nearly enough to address the district’s needs.

The school board will discuss aging facilities and school capacity at its planning retreat on Tuesday. Administrators will present the capital plan to the Board of County Commissioners later this month.

 

Related Stories
‹
BoCC Eyes Older Schools For Bond Referendum
Commissioners could consider a bond referendum to finance repairs on aging schools, but they want to be sure it will delay the need for new buildings.
Facing Pressures In All Directions, Orange County Commissioners Near Budget Decision
Orange County Commissioners are holding a public hearing on next year's budget Thursday, May 28, with major decisions yet to be made.
Kimberly Jones: Rural Public Schools Don’t Want a Handout. They Want Access to Opportunity
Former teacher of the year Kimberly Jones, once a rural area public school student, says state lawmakers should offer the same opportunities to rural students that are offered to those from wealthier
CHCCS Board of Education Discuss Criteria for Elementary School Closure Study, But Decision Still Unclear
The CHCCS Board of Education recently met to continue its conversation on the future elementary school closures.
CHCCS Board of Education Approves Site Plans for Carrboro Elementary Replacement Project
Carrboro Elementary School is not in talks for which CHCCS elementary school will close, with plans to replace the existing building instead.
CHCCS Board of Education Weighs Closing 2 Elementary Schools Amid Enrollment, Funding Declines
The CHCCS Board of Education began its latest round of feedback on Feb. 5 about how to approach closing at least one elementary school in the face of waning enrollment and funding challenges.
N.C. House Committee Grills CHCCS Leaders Over 'Parents' Bill of Rights' Policies; District Maintains Compliance
CHCCS leaders appeared in Raleigh to testify to lawmakers about whether the district is following the Parents' Bill of Rights law.
CHCCS Announces Public Talks Regarding Potential $2.1 Million Funding Cut
Superintendent Rodney Trice will deliver a series of public talks discussing a potential $2.1 million reduction in funding from the state in the 2026-27 school year.
Former School Improvement Team Parent Chair Melinda Manning Runs for CHCCS School Board
Melinda Manning, formerly of Carrboro High School's school improvement team, detailed her candidacy for the CHCCS Board of Education.
CHCCS Board Holds Preliminary Conversation for Hypothetical Elementary School Closure
The Board of Education for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools recently met to hear a presentation about closing one of its elementary schools.
›