1993-12-13 Work Session
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JOINT WORK SESSION, DECEMBER 13, 1993
BOOK 23
PAGE 849
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a joint
Work Session with the New Hanover County Board of Education and
Cape Fear Community College Board of Trustees on Monday, December
13, 1993, at 7:00 P.M. in the Dale K. Spencer Building, 1802 South
15th Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners Sandra Barone; WilliamA.
Caster; William E. Sisson, Jr.; vice-Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.;
Chairman Robert G. Greer; County Manager Allen 0' Neal; County
Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F.
Harrell.
Members present from the Board
Janice Cavenaugh; Rachel Freeman;
Mayorga; James R. pierce; Lori T.
Superintendent of Schools.
of Education were: Chairman
Allene C. Keith; Edward W.
Stephenson; and Tom McNeel,
Members present from the Cape Fear Community College Board of
Trustees were: Vice-Chairman Oscar A. Graham; Stephen H.
Davenport; Jon W. Rosborough; Charles (Chuck) Agnoff; William C.
Taylor; James E. Vann; Mary Elizabeth Hood; Franklin E. Williams,
Sr.; and Interim President, Raymond Stone.
Chairman Greer called the meeting to order and welcomed
everyone present. He reported the Work Session had been called to
discuss the proposed bond issues to be presented to the voters on
March 8, 1994. As the population of New Hanover County continues
to grow and the number of students increases, it is imperative to
provide the funds necessary to meet the current space needs and
renovations of New Hanover County schools. In his opinion, all
boards should work together in support of the referendum to ensure
its passage. Counties are mandated to fund school needs and with
the desirable interest rates on the bond market, money can be saved
with passage of the proposed bond issues.
New Hanover County Finance Director, Andrew J. Atkinson,
presented a timetable reflecting the events that must occur before
a bond referendum can be held on Tuesday, March 8, 1994.
OVERVIEW OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY SCHOOL BOND ISSUE
Ms. Diane Avery, Director of School-Community
presented a slide presentation on the School Bond issue.
of the presentation was on space needs.
Relations,
The focus
The fact is that New Hanover County schools are running out of
space. According to the State Department of Public Instruction
standards, the capacity for New Hanover County Schools is 17,091
students. The present enrollment is 20,253. Students are meeting
in inappropriate spaces including cafeterias, stages, churches,
basements, and workrooms. In high schools, 55 teachers do not have
classrooms of their own; they travel from room to room to teach
classes. Presently, 45 trailers are currently being used as
classrooms, 32 of which were built in the 1960's. The State
Department of Instruction issued a report in 1990 stating that 14
school buildings in New Hanover County need to be replaced within
five years. Projections for enrollment are 500-600 new students
per year from 1994 to the year 2000. In the 1993-1994 school year
enrollment increased by 574 students. All New Hanover County
School buildings need renovations and repairs to meet fire codes,
remove asbestos, and make schools accessible to the handicapped.
The New Hanover County Board of Education is requesting
$39,900,000 in school bonds to accomplish the following critical
improvements:
-Build new facilities and additions to alleviate some of the
overcrowding in our schools.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JOINT WORK SESSION, DECEMBER 13, 1993
BOOK 23
PAGE 850
-Replace some obsolete facilities.
-Renovate and repair other facilities.
-Correct fire, health, and safety problems ln all schools.
-Make all schools accessible to the handicapped.
-Provide computers for classrooms.
The cost for these improvements will be through a bond issue
spread over many years. The payback of bonds will cost the
taxpayer a maximum of 4.1 cents per $100 assessed property value,
which represents an increase of $41 in property taxes on a $100,000
home. The following chart was presented on the property tax
lncrease:
1994-1995
1995-1996
1996-1997
.8 cents
2.9 cents
3.6 cents
1997-1998
1998-1999
1999-2000
4.1 cents
4.1 cents
3.8 cents
A listing of new school construction and improvements proj ects
was presented. The list reflected the exact needs and costs per
school. Discussion was held on the importance of factually
informing the public about the condition of our present schools in
order for them to understand why $39,900,000 is needed to begin the
renovation projects and construct additional schools to meet the
space needs.
Chairman Greer, on behalf of the Board, expressed appreciation
to Ms. Avery for an excellent presentation.
OVERVIEW OF CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOND ISSUE
Mr. Oscar Graham, Vice-Chairman of the Cape Fear Community
College Board of Trustees, expressed appreciation for the
opportuni ty to meet with the County Commissioners and Board of
Education to discuss the needs of the College. He commented on the
importance of Cape Fear Community College to the area, especially
for industry, and requested the Interim-President, Dr. Raymond
Stone, to review the bond issue.
Dr. Stone presented the following overVlew:
Construction of Work Force Training Center: This facility will
educate and train adults for entry into health care, emergency
services, and fields related to business and industry. Health Care
Certifications will be offered to Emergency Medical Technicians and
Nurses Aide I, II, and III. During 1992 -93, 843 students were
certified as Nurses Aides, Levels I and II; and 1,260 students
received mandatory N. C. training for Licensed Emergency Medical
Technicians. The Work Force Training Center will provide space to
better serve business and industry. During 1992-93, training was
provided for 259 management personnel in Health Care, Industry, and
Government. Approximately 1,013 existing or potential small
business owners attended seminars and classes; and 293 students
from local industry were trained for certification to meet OSHA and
EPA standards in the area of Hazardous Materials & Industrial Fire
Fighting. Moving services to the Work Force Training Center will
free 5,000 to 6,000 square feet in the McLeod Building for greatly
needed curriculum programs. Also, space will be provided for the
Basic Skills Department to administer the following programs: Work
Place Literacy; GED Preparation and Testing; Adult High School; and
Adult Basic Education.
Construction of a Health Sciences Building The new Health Sciences
Building will help to address the critical shortage of allied
health professionals in New Hanover County and Southeastern North
Carolina. The following programs and services will be provided:
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JOINT WORK SESSION, DECEMBER 13, 1993
BOOK 23
PAGE 851
Certified Nursing Assistant
Child Care Program
Child Care Services for Students
Dental Assistant
Dental Hygiene
Health Information Technology
Licensed Practical Nursing
Phlebotomy
Physical Therapist Assistant
Radiology Technology
In summary, there has been no increase ln instructional space
on the Cape Fear Community College Campus since 1976. The
enrollment has quadrupled; therefore, the passage of the bond issue
is of utmost importance to the College. Due to a lack of space,
the full range of programs that accreditation requires has been
denied.
After a lengthy discussion on the need for additional space at
Cape Fear Community College, Chairman Greer, on behalf of the
Board, expressed appreciation to Dr. Stone for an informative
presentation.
QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD
Chairman Greer stressed the importance of better understanding
the bond issues and opened the floor to receive questions.
Mr. Chuck Agnoff commented on the excellent job being
performed by the Interim-President, Dr. Stone, and reported there
is a true feeling of renaissance among the Board of Trustees. The
College is moving forward and Dr. Stone has performed an excellent
job in preparing the bond package. Also, as the number of school
students grow and these students leave high school to expand their
horizons, the services offered by Cape Fear Community College will
also grow and become more meaningful to the community. The space
needs are real and the Board of Trustees will work diligently to
inform the public of these needs.
Board of Education Member, Rachel Freeman, reported there is
concern among minority groups that the proposed school bond issue
does not address the needs of all the segments of the community.
This matter has been discussed by the Board of Education for the
past year without a successful conclusion. In her opinion, this
matter should be resolved before the bond referendum.
Board of Education Member, James Pierce, reported the basic
differences among the members of the Board of Education are as
follows:
(1) Trust: The prepared bond package does list very
specifically how the funds will be spent. There was an effort
by some members of the Board of Education to make the bond
issue more specific; for example, printing the specific
location of new schools on the ballot. The School Attorney
and County Attorney recommended being general in the wording
in case a catastrophic event should occur and a new school
building would have to be constructed at another location.
(2) The Location of the Northern Elementary and South Central
Elementary Schools: A majority of the members of the Board of
Education do not feel that specific building sites should be
designated because it is uncertain as to where the majority of
children and families will be living. Also, the cost of land
will increase with designated locations.
(3) Priority for Replacinq Portions of the Greqory School
Facility: Concern has been expressed by some members of the
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JOINT WORK SESSION, DECEMBER 13, 1993
BOOK 23
PAGE 852
Board of Education as to the priority of expanding and
replacing portions of Gregory School. It is felt by the
majority of Board Members that overcrowding must be alleviated
first with the construction of new elementary schools. After
completion of construction, improvements will be made to
Gregory, Winter Park, and Wrightsboro schools. A strong
commitment has been made to the downtown area by placement of
the magnet school at Gregory. A year ago, people were looking
for ways to move out of the Gregory school district, now
people are looking for ways to move into this district because
of the success of the magnet school. The Board of Education
is trying to create schools throughout the entire County that
will encourage more parental involvement in the education of
their children.
(4) Commitment to Maintaininq Racial Balance: At the Board
of Education Retreat in February, 1993, it was the consensus
of the Board to commit to developing racial balance numbers
throughout all schools. The major objective is to look for
ways to make children want to integrate within the schools
rather than have to integrate because of where they live.
There is a difference of philology among the members of the
Board of Education.
Board of Education Member, Rachel Freeman, commented on space
being the major theme and stated this is important, but the main
issue is education. Concern was expressed for asking the public to
commit to $39,900,000 for construction and renovations of school
buildings without the assurance that all children will be given
equal access. The issue of trust is important and has been
discussed among the members of the Board of Education with very
little progress made in this area. New Hanover County has
maintained a racial balance of 70 to 30 throughout the community
for a number of years. These balances have been allowed to drift
and are now very much out of kilter. This matter needs to be
answered before asking the public to approve the school bond issue.
As to the location of the elementary schools, she feels specific
definitions and a review of demographics as to the types of
neighborhoods should be provided to encourage balanced schools.
The term, balanced schools, is not just referring to race, but also
to social economics. It is important for there to be a mix of all
races and economic backgrounds in the County schools in order to
allow our children to grow up and become successful in the real
world. Before the people of New Hanover County are asked to
approve the bond issue, these concerns must be addressed.
Chairman Greer stressed the importance of meeting the needs of
all the segments of the community and offered to assist the Board
of Education in any way possible to answer these concerns.
Mr. James E. Vann, a member of the Cape Fear Community College
Board of Trustees, expressed concern for the inter-conflict among
the members of the Board of Education and stated if these matters
cannot be resolved, it would be beneficial for these problems not
to be magnified if the bond issues are to pass.
School Board Chairman Janice Cavenaugh
differences are philosophical; therefore, it is
individuals to resolve these areas of conflict.
members of the Board of Education will continue to
these issues.
reported the
difficult for
Hopefully, the
try to resolve
Commissioner Sisson commented on the areas of perceived
problems and reported the key issue is parental involvement in the
schools and the education of their children. Many concerns from
the communi ty indicate there are some severe problems wi th the
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JOINT WORK SESSION, DECEMBER 13, 1993
BOOK 23
PAGE 853
school system. Hopefully, both boards will work together ln
answering and addressing these concerns.
Chairman Greer closed the question and answer period.
ADJOURNMENT
After further discussion of the need for the bond issues to
pass and the importance of all groups working together to resolve
any conflict areas, Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 8:45
P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board