School Board hears presentation on building new primary school
By Frank Bradley Sentinel writer

Children starting preschool this fall will have to be four-years old on or before August 31, according to a new rule established by the Clay County Board of Education on Monday.

Previously, children who's fourth birthday came on or before October 15 were eligible to start pre-school.

Superintendent Scott Penland made the proposal to the board saying it was necessary because the state will require all children to be fiveyears old on or before August 31 in 2009 before they can begin Kindergarten. With this change both Superintendent Penland and School Board Chairman Charles Lee Penland agreed that they expected the pre-school class to be somewhat smaller this year than it has been.

The board received copies

of the 2008-2009 proposed budget

(to be funded by the county)

NC hospitals and next year's school calendar which they are expected to vote on in next month's regular meeting. Superintendent Penland said the county commissioners want to have the school's recommended budget presented to them by the 1st of April. The proposed operating budget for next school year reflects a $91 thousand or almost 10 percent increase over this year's budget. Two line items showing the largest increase are heating fuel and electricity, which together account for $64 thousand of the increase.

The proposed capital outlay budget amounts to approximately $900 thousand. Included in that proposal is $65,000 for two new mobile units, which will be required due to a projected need for two new classrooms this fall; $50,000 for classroom furniture; $50,000 for computer/technology upgrades, and $250,000 for new football bleachers.

The board also calls for $300 thousand for the planning for a new school, stating the amount would allow the school to begin architectural drawings, soil samples, and archaeological surveys that can be used whenever a new school is possible.

Superintendent Penland told the board that he had briefed the county commissioners on the need for a new primary school at their last commissioner meeting. He said he had been asked to sit down with the county manager to discuss ways the $10 million project might be funded. He said that he and the school board chairman are scheduled to meet with the county manager regarding the matter.

"We're going to do what we can do to make it happen (building the new school) soon," he said.

The draft school calendar sets the first day of school at August 25, provides for a twoweek vacation at Christmas, sets the spring break for the week of April 13 to 17 and the last day of school on Friday, June 5, 2009. Penland said the spring break was tentative and will occur only if weather permits. Also, Saturdays may be used to make up days lost due to inclement weather.

Two presentations were made to the school board. The first was by an architect from Cope Associates, Inc. out of Knoxville, Tennessee. Grant Tharpe made a general presentation along with a consultant, who was formerly school superintendent of Knox County Schools.

Tharpe said the firm has been established for 25 years and does about 40 percent of its work with K through 12 schools. He showed some examples of their work and listed some of their previous clients including projects for the Biltmore Estate, renovation of the Cherokee County Courthouse, Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians' justice center as well numerous schools throughout eastern Tennessee. He said the average cost of the school buildings in 2007 came in at about $76 a square foot. That was the estimated cost of a basic building.

"We can make it as nice or as plain as you want it," he said.

He stressed his firms' record of having no litigation during the 25 years they have been in business, and said they have established a reputation of coming in on time and under budget.

He said the firm had experience in designing for security, evolving technology and making buildings energy efficient. He said the firm had a licensed architect on staff who specializes in food services design. He mentioned that the architectural firm can also provide assistance in securing alternative financing.

Superintendent Penland said he was interested in finding out more about alternative financing. Penland also asked if they had prototypes for schools smaller than the 1,000 student schools that were in the presentation.

"We're looking at 450 to 500 students," Penland said.

Tharpe said they had experience in building schools of that size.

In another presentation, Gail Criss made an appearance before the board, her first since retiring as the high school principal, on behalf of the Lillith Lidseen Performing Arts Association. She told the board that the association was created to purchase, make repairs and expand the Peacock Playhouse, providing a rehearsal black box (small 70 seat theatre). Criss asked for the board's support during a planned capital drive.

"We're not asking for money," she said. "But we are asking you to partner with us in helping us to secure grants for the theatre."

Criss said one of her goals as principal had been to offer a theatre arts program, but that she had been unable to do it "mainly for lack of space." She said the theatre could be used by the school since it was so close.

Superintendent Penland agreed saying, "I think we can partner with them. There is a lot we can benefit from."

Member Jason Rhinehart said, "The theatre is not only a value to the school but to the whole community."

Board chair Charles Penland said, "The best was to get the community involved in this is to get the kids involved."

Jane Hindsman, also speaking for the Lidseen Association said that the Licklog players started out in the high school.

Criss was asked how much money needed to be raised. She said the purchase price of the building is $375,000, which she said was a fraction of the value of the building. Criss said a fund drive was getting underway to raise enough money to make a down payment on a loan and to pay for it over the years.

The board agreed in value of the project and passed a resolution in support.

In other matters, the board heard a first reading of a Sex Offenders Policy and reviewed an account of Clay County's dropout rate, which stands at 2.55 percent for 2006-2007 school year, making it the fifth lowest in the state, according to Superintendent Penland.

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
Land transfer tax-- let the voters decide	1