2/23 School Board Meeting Recap

The School Board meeting was held to 45 minutes due to the 7 PM BOS Workshop.

Kindergarten Early Enrollment
The policy of allowing early kindergarten enrollment was discussed. In the past GCPS would allow children not old enough (according to state guidelines) for kindergarten to petition for early enrollment (with some paid tuition - details not discussed). To be allowed early enrollment, children must be assessed by the schools for social and cognitive readiness. Given that we will have no new teachers, the Superintendent and schools recommended that they end this policy.

Our neighboring counties do not allow early enrollment.

The SB asked how many students this affected. Last year there were 3 assessed, all qualified, but only 1 enrolled.

The SB modified the recommendation to SUSPEND this policy for the 2010-2011 school year. Voted and approved.

Transportation Facility
Mr. Turner presented an update on the new transportation facility. $600,000 has already been appropriated to make improvements to the existing bus garage and build a new bus garage next to the existing one. Of this money, $25,000 has been spend on developing the engineering plans, and $11,000 has been spent putting new roof on the existing garage.

The plans for the new garage (a metal pre-fab structure) were presented to the Design Review Committee for the overlay district, and it was rejected by that board (as metal buildings are not allowed in the overlay district).

Mr. Turner presented the SB with 3 options:
1. Appeal to the BOS for a waiver of the Design committee's decision
2. Develop a new plan with a different exterior that would be acceptable to the committee. This would cost more than planned, but the exact cost is not yet known.
3. Make sufficient renovations to the existing facility that are required to keep it operational the next 3-5 years. These renovations include sewer hookup, electrical upgrade, concrete apron for the shop, painting the exterior, and window replacements. In an additional 3-5 years, the bathrooms will require renovation.

Mr. Turner estimated the cost of the option 3 renovations without the bathrooms at about $75,000.

If the SB goes with option 3, the remaining funds (roughly $490,000) not spent by June 30 would go back to the county.

Mr. Haskell proposed that the SB defer their decision for 2 weeks and asked Mr. Turner to research the cost of a different exterior (option 2).

GES Renovation Needs
Per the last SB meeting, the replacement GES building is not in the county CIP. The SB discussed renovations that would be needed if the existing GES building continues. Mr. Turner indicated that immediate needs included HVAC in the kitchen, a new boiler at the Specialty Center, and some work to accommodate the kitchen (I didn't catch these details). Dr. Underwood also pointed out the bathroom renovation and elevator (since the building is not ADA compliant). Dr. Underwood felt they had sufficient information to develop a solid estimate of the costs of renovations for the SB to consider.

At this time the meeting was recessed.