Board Agenda for the Week of 01/08/2001

OPEN SESSION - 4:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

QUORUM DETERMINATION

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

INFORMATION

Comments from the Chairman
Superintendent's Report

APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA

PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

CONSENT ITEMS

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

November 27, 2000 Closed Session
December 4, 2000 Board Meeting
December 18, 2000 Board Meeting

FACILITIES

(Due to a Facilities Committee meeting, some of the Consent items may become Action.)
1.Construction Documents: Reedy Creek Middle

Construction documents for Reedy Creek Middle, designed by Cherry Huffman Architects, PA, will be presented for board approval. The school design is a modification of the prototype for Wakefield Middle. Fiscal Implications - Funding is available from the total project budget of $21,152,754, of which $20,452,754 is from PLAN 2000 School Building project budget and $700,000 is from the board-approved 1996 State Bond project budget. Recommendation for Action - Board approval of the construction documents is recommended.
2.Designer Selection: Design Package 00C

In accordance with the designer selection procedures adopted by the Wake County Board of Education, the pre-selection committee will present recommendations for the board to select architectural firms for the following building and campus improvements projects: Apex Elementary, Broughton High, East Garner Middle, East Wake High, Leesville High, Millbrook Elementary, Project Enlightenment, Swift Creek Elementary,Vance Elementary, Willow Springs Elementary. Fiscal Implications - Design fees will be negotiated in accordance with designer selection procedures. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is recommended.
3.Design Phase Change Order No. 3: Olds Elementary Addition and Renovations

Design Change Order No. 3 addresses additional design costs associated with code compliance and replacement of the existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The HVAC system replacement was not part of the original scope of the project, but was determined to be necessary as the project design progressed. An increase in the design fee, in the amount of $121,355, has been negotiated for the added design work. Fiscal Implications - Funds are available within the board-approved total project budget of $6,502,568. The total project budget consists of $2,852,871 from the Phase IIIB Long-Range Building Program; $3,489,697 from the board-approved state bond project budget; $150,000 from the ADA component of the 1996 State Bond Program. Recommendation for Action - Board approval of Design Phase Change Order No.3 is recommended.
4. Resolution: Cary Elementary Designer Selection

Staff recommends waiving the designer selection process and selection of DTW Architects and Planners, LLC for the design of Cary Elementary School renovations and addition. This request is in accordance with NCGS 143-64.32, which allows the exemption of the statutory designer selection process. The specific reason for this exemption is to take advantage of the past experience of DTW Architects and Planners, LLC, who recently completed the state bond work at this school. Due to their familiarity with code issues that this renovation is specifically addressing, their involvement should shorten design time and expedite the project. Staff recommends proceeding with the negotiation of a design contract with DTW Architects and Planners, LLC. Fiscal Implications - None at this time. Recommendation for Action - Board approval of the designer selection waiver resolution is recommended.
5.Resolution: Forestville Elementary Designer Selection
Staff recommends waiving the designer selection process and selection of Pearce, Brinkley, Cease & Lee, PA. for the design of Forestville Elementary School. This request is in accordance with NCGS 143-64.32, which allows the exemption of the statutory designer selection process. The specific reason for this exemption is to allow the reuse of the Yates Mill Elementary prototype with some design improvements and refinements. Reuse of the prototype will shorten the design time, reduce cost, and help expedite the project. Staff recommends proceeding with the negotiation of a design contract with Pearce, Brinkley, Cease & Lee, PA. Fiscal Implications -

Reduction in design cost, exact amount to be determined through negotiations. Recommendation for Action - Board approval of the designer selection waiver resolution is recommended.
6.Resolution: Salem Middle Designer Selection

Staff recommends waiving the designer selection process and selection of Cherry Huffman Architects, PA for the design of Salem Middle School. This request is in accordance with NCGS 143-64.32, which allows the exemption of the statutory designer selection process. The specific reason for this exemption is to allow the reuse of the Wakefield Middle prototype, with design refinements and improvements as planned for Holly Ridge Middle and Reedy Creek Middle. Reuse of the prototype will shorten the design time, reduce cost, and expedite the project. Staff recommends proceeding with the negotiation of a design contract with Cherry Huffman Architects, PA. Fiscal Implications - Reduction in design cost, exact amount to be determined through negotiations. Recommendation for Action - Board approval of the designer selection waiver resolution is recommended.
7. Resolution: Stough Elementary Designer Selection

Staff recommends waiving the designer selection process and selection of Brown & Jones Architects, Inc. for the design of Stough Elementary School renovations and addition. This request is in accordance with NCGS 143-64.32, which allows the exemption of the statutory designer selection process. The specific reason for this exemption is to take advantage of the past experience of Brown & Jones Architects, Inc., who recently completed the state bond work at this school. Due to their familiarity with code issues that this renovation is specifically addressing, their involvement should shorten design time and expedite the project. Staff recommends proceeding with the negotiation of a design contract with Brown & Jones Architects, Inc. Fiscal Implications - None at this time. Recommendation for Action - Board approval of the designer selection waiver resolution is recommended.
8. Technology System Repairs and Upgrades: Carnage Middle

Following substantial completion of the renovations/addition project at Carnage Middle, AAA Electrical Company, Inc. performed critical technology work, including repairs to the network damaged during the demolition process, completion of the electrical prime contractor's work, and modifications to the existing network to make it compatible with the infrastructure in the new addition. This additional work is estimated to cost $107,000. Nearly 80 percent of this cost will be back-charged to the existing prime contractors for the renovations/addition project. Fiscal Implications Funds for the school system's portion of this cost are available from the board-approved total project budget of $12,230,777 of which $10,954,729 is from Phase IIIB; $585,000 is from Phase IIIB Deferred Maintenance; $591,048 is from the 1996 State Bond project budget; and $100,000 is from the ADA component of the 1996 State Bond. Recommendation for Action Board approval of a purchase order contract with AAA Electrical Company, Inc. is recommended.

PROGRAM

1. Addendum #1 Between Wake County Smartstart, Inc. and Wake County Public School System
This addendum increases funding for Project Enlightenment to extend resources and assessment, consultation, training, intervention, and support services to children at risk for school failure. This is a revenue contract in the amount of $60,000. No Wake County Public School funds are required. Approval of contract to receive funding from Wake County Smart Start, Inc.
2. Contract #2000-31 Between Wake County Smartstart, Inc. and Wake County Public School System
This contract funds Project Enlightenment to coordinate transition services to promote success of kindergarten students entering the Wake County Public School System. Thirteen elementary schools will receive grants of up to $5,000 each to implement approved transition activities. This is a revenue contract in the amount of $75,000. No Wake County Public School funds are required. Approval of contract to receive funding from Wake County Smart Start, Inc.

PERSONNEL

1. Recommendations for Employment
2. Recommendations for Administrative Appointment

CLOSED SESSION

To consider confidential personnel information protected under G.S. 115C-319
To establish or instruct the Board's staff or negotiating agents concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the Board in negotiation of (I) the price and other material terms of a contract or proposed contract for the acquisition of real property by purchase, option exchange, or lease: or (ii) the amount of compensation and other material terms of an employment contract or proposed employment contract. G.S. 143-318.11(a)(5).

ACTION ITEMS

PERSONNEL

1. Recommendation for Administrative Appointment

FACILITIES

1. School Names for New Schools

Several new schools opening during the period 2002-2004 require school names. In accordance with board policy, staff recommends the names for these schools as listed on the attached Exhibit A. Fiscal Implications - None. Recommendation for Action - Board approval of the recommended names for the new schools is requested.

INFORMATION ITEMS

PERSONNEL

1. Recommendations for Career Status

FINANCE

1. Funding of Resolution Requesting Transfer of Funds to WCPSS
Operating Budget
On August 28, 2000, the Wake County Board of Education approved a resolution requesting that the Wake County Board of Commissioners transfer the balance of the unallocated capital projects fund, in the amount of $7,049,316, to the WCPSS operating budget. On November 20 the Wake County Board of Commissioners approved funding of the request using a combination of tax revenue due to WCPSS and $1.0 million from the unallocated capital projects fund. Approximately $6.0 million remains in unallocated capital funds.
2. Preliminary Projections for Tax Revenue for Fiscal Year 2001-2002
Preliminary projections for tax revenue for fiscal year 2001-2002 for WCPSS have been received from Wake County. The total available for WCPSS for the next fiscal year is projected to be $178,892,000, compared to the total of $172,986,000 appropriated for the current fiscal year. The projected amount for fiscal year 2001-2002 is an increase of $5,906,000.
3. Mid-Year Budget Update

As part of the budgeting process, on-going analyses of budgets occur. The Analysis of Potential Changes in Budget summary details savings, projected costs, and a potential net cost to be covered during the year. The status of actual-to-projected expenditures at mid-year will be presented. Fiscal Implications: Action may be requested at a later time related to potential net costs.

PROGRAM

1. Safe Schools Student Plans
As part of the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant, approximately 250 students from 29 middle and high schools participated in a Safe Schools Summit linked to the Character Education Conference in September. Students listened to speakers talk about how Character Education is connected to the 40 Developmental Assets as measured on the Profiles of Student Life Survey. Students wrote Safe School Plans for their schools which were evaluated by a panel of school officials and community members. Three school plans were given awards for outstanding merit. They were Leesville Road High (1st Place), Garner Senior High (2nd Place), and Davis Drive Middle (3rd Place). Awards included funding to implement plans. Other schools participating were Apex Middle, Carroll Middle, Daniels Middle, Dillard Drive Middle, East Cary Middle, East Garner Middle, Ligon Middle, Martin Middle, West Cary Middle, West Millbrook Middle, Zebulon Middle, Apex High, Athens Drive High, Broughton High, Cary High, East Wake High, Enloe High, Green Hope High, Millbrook High, Phillips High, Southeast Raleigh High, Wakefield High, Wake Forest-Rolesville High, and Mt. Vernon Redirection. Grant funding in the amount of $12,000 was allocated for implementation of this program. This is presented for information only.
2. Establishing the 20th Day As the Benchmark Student Number for WCPSS
In a school system where students enroll on an almost daily basis, it is often difficult to have an accurate count of students during the first few weeks of school. Working with schools that have done an exceptional job of accurately counting students during the first hectic days of the school year, we have devised a standard procedure for counting students during this time. We will be training the current SIMS managers and principals in this standardized procedure. With this new procedure, we will have a more accurate student count on the 20th day. In a growing system, it is difficult to accurately establish numbers such as Free and Reduced and ESL because they grow as the year progresses. In order to base decisions on consistent numbers, WCPSS needs to establish one "official day" for membership. Doing so will allow us to compare data from year to year. No fiscal implications at this time. This is presented for information only.

PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA

ADJOURNMENT

Meetings will be held in the Administration Building, 3600 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC unless otherwise indicated.