Chapel Hill-Carrboro school officials plan to ask county commissioners for three quarters of a million dollars to jump start planning for major renovations at three schools.

“We’re recommending that the board consider a request to county commissioners for $750,000 in planning money, to begin the process of designing the projects so that we’re shovel ready if and when the bond referendum occurs,” said Assistant Superintendent Todd LoFrese.

Administrators are hoping to delay the need for new schools by instead expanding some of the older, smaller schools in the district, but LoFrese told the board the timing of the renovations will be key.

“The intention behind this whole recommendation is to delay new schools,” said LoFrese. “We can only do that if we begin creating capacity now, because the district is going to grow and before you know it we’re going to be at a position where we’re unable to phase projects, unable to move forward with some of these capacity-building recommendations at our elementary schools specifically. It would basically be too late.”

County commissioners have begun discussing a possible bond package to help pay for the multi-million dollar plan, but that may not make it to the ballot until 2016.

The school board voted unanimously on Thursday to request $750,000 from the county to cover planning and design for three projects.

The money would pay for architectural design and preparation to expand Ephesus Elementary and Seawell Elementary, and renovate Lincoln Center to create a preschool facility.

If approved, the money would be an advance from county’s Capital Investment Plan. The school board will discuss the proposal at a joint meeting with county commissioners on April 29.

Related Stories
‹
CHCCS Preparing for New School Year while State Budget is Unresolved
At the board of education meeting for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools on July 18, the board heard an update on the state budget’s status: no change. Despite the new fiscal year for North Carolina beginning on July 1, no progress has been made since Governor Roy Cooper vetoed the proposed budget, which did not include […]
CHCCS Board To Vote On New Budget Plan
The CHCCS board hopes to adopt a new budget Thursday, despite the fact that the General Assembly's spending plan is still up in the air.
CHCCS Board Eyes Cuts To Gifted Ed To Balance Budget
Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board members are struggling with how to fill state funding gaps, even before they know exactly what those gaps will be.
CHCCS School Board Calls For SAPFO Review
CHAPEL HILL- Each year around this time, school officials sign off on the annual SAPFO report, which analyzes student enrollment and estimates the need for new facilities. And although the school board on Thursday approved this year’s report without hesitation, board members agree that it may be time to review the way student generation rates […]
'An Absolute Data Nightmare': CHCCS Board Learns More About School Bus Assignment Debacle
The CHCCS Board of Education and public got an extensive update on Thursday about what went haywire in the school bus assignment process this summer and what is being done to address it.
CHCCS Shares Application, Timeline for Filling Vacant Board of Education Seat
Chapel Hill-Carrboro residents are now able to submit their pitches to temporarily join the CHCCS Board of Education. Applications are due Sept. 14.
As Final Year Begins, Glenwood Elementary Families Feeling 'Powerless' After Closure and Program Votes
Monday's first day of class is bittersweet for Glenwood Elementary School families, who feel hurt by CHCCS leaders' decision to close its campus and change its program.
Glenwood Elementary's Mandarin Dual Language Program Moving to Rashkis; Questions Remain for World Language
The school board voted to relocate one of Glenwood Elementary School's Mandarin learning tracks to Rashkis. The other could go to Scroggs.
Rani Dasi Prepares to Close Chapter of CHCCS Leadership, Take On County Commissioner Role
Rani Dasi visited 97.9 The Hill for an exclusive interview about her appointment, her legacy during three terms on the school board, and more.
Orange County Board of Commissioners Unanimously Votes for Rani Dasi to Fill District 1 Seat
Rani Dasi is poised to join the Board of Orange County Commissioners this summer, earning a short-term selection by unanimous vote.
›