Board Agenda for the Week of 12/18/2001

OPEN SESSION - 4:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

QUORUM DETERMINATION

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

INFORMATION

Chairman's Comments
Superintendent's Report

APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA

PUBLIC HEARING

Citizens who signed up to address the board during public hearing will be called on in priority order-first for items on the agenda and then for items not on the agenda. Each individual speaker will be allowed three minutes for remarks. Issues or concerns involving personnel matters are not appropriate for this public comment setting. After 30 minutes of public hearing, any speakers remaining will be recognized at the end of the agenda for their comments.

CONSENT ITEMS

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

September 4, 2001 - Program Committee
September 18, 2001 - Program Committee
October 16, 2001 - Program Committee

FACILITIES

1. Bids: Salem Middle
Bids for Salem Middle were received on December 4, 2001. Staff and Cherry Huffman Architects, PA recommend award of a single-prime contract to Blair Construction, Inc. in the amount of $13,956,500 (base bid plus alternates 1,2,3,4, and 6). The lowest responsive multi-prime bid was $13,965,100. Board approval is requested. Fiscal Implications - The total project budget is $21,093,376, which is funded from the PLAN 2000 School Building Program project budget. Alternate #1, in the amount of $23,500, will be funded by Wake County Parks & Recreation. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested to award this contract.

2. Construction Documents: East Garner Middle Addition
Staff will present construction documents prepared by Skinner, Lamm & Highsmith, PA Architects for the board-approved PLAN 2000 project at East Garner Middle. The project includes demolition of Building 4 (gymnasium/boiler building) and Building 5 (classroom building) and construction of a new gymnasium, auditorium, and classroom addition. Fiscal Implications - The total project budget of $10,644,843 is from the PLAN 2000 School Building Program project budget. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested.

3. Change Order No. 13 - Reedy Creek Middle
Board approval is requested for Change Order No. 13 to the contract with O'Connor and Taylor of the Carolinas, Inc. for PLAN 2000 Reedy Creek Middle. This cost is associated with the earthen dam and modified wetland areas required by the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality. This change order is in the amount of $344,640. Fiscal Implications - Funding is available from the total project budget of $21,152,754, of which $700,000 is from the state bond program and $20,452,754 from PLAN 2000. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested.

4. Design Phase Change Order No. 1: Cedar Forks Elementary (E4)
Board approval is requested for Design Phase Change Order No. 1 to the design consultant, Small Kane Architects, PA for PLAN 2000 Cedar Forks Elementary (E4). This design phase change order, in the amount of $158,980, is to incorporate the park components for the Town of Morrisville. Fiscal Implications - The cost of these changes will be reimbursed by the Town of Morrisville. The total project budget of $10,821,535, consists of $10,662,555 from the PLAN 2000 School Building Program and $158,980 from the Town of Morrisville. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested.

5. Resolution: Long-Range Building Program Funding Reallocation
Resolution requests reallocation of funds from complete or nearly complete Phase IIIB projects to Museums Magnet Middle and Washington Elementary. Resolution also requests reallocation of project savings from two PLAN 2000 projects, program contingency, environmental compliance, modernization and deferred maintenance funds to Broughton High and Powell Elementary. Total reallocation amount is $6,051,338. Fiscal Implications - No additional appropriation of funding is necessary. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested.

6. Amendment to Option for Purchase and Sale of Real Estate - Middle Creek Project
The purchase and development of property for the new Middle Creek High School and Elementary School included a requirement of Optimist Farm Ventures to provide 5.477 acres of land to construct 40 to 50 multifamily housing units adjacent to school facilities. The board of education received an option to acquire the 5.477 acre tract if Optimist Farm Ventures failed to start construction of the units within three years from April 27, 1999. Due to current economic conditions, Optimist Farm Ventures has requested a six month extension of the construction schedule to October 27, 2002. Fiscal Implications - Not applicable at this time. Recommendation for Action - Staff requests board approval of an amendment to an Option for Purchase and Sale Contract with Optimist Farm Ventures dated April 27, 1999, extending the construction schedule to October 27, 2002 with all other terms and conditions remaining as originally agreed.

FINANCE

1. Authorization Forms
These authorization forms designate the persons authorized to sign vouchers for the payment of money on behalf of Farmington Woods Elementary. Fiscal Implications: These authorization forms are required for bank records.

2. Master Agreement: Bellsouth Business Services
This is a new contract with BellSouth to provide Internet access. Demand for Internet access has increased dramatically over the last year. In addition, we are currently utilizing a single source solution for Internet access through ITS and are vulnerable to any service interruptions downstream. To address these issues, we intend to add an additional circuit provided by Bellsouth. Contract is for a 36-month term. Monthly recurring charge for services will be $3,340.00. Installation charge is being waived. Fiscal Implications: Total amount of contract for 36-month term is $120,240. Total amount needed for 2001-02 fiscal year will be paid from the current expense budget and will not exceed $20,040. Funding for monthly recurring charges in future fiscal years will be identified and planned for through contracted services in the Technology Services current expense budget.

3. Service Agreement: Dwight Snow
Technology Services will enter into an agreement with Mr. Snow to provide maintenance and support of WCPSS AIX/UNIX operating systems and other related utilities associated with production systems and procedures. Contract term will be through June 30, 2002. Hourly rate will be $115. Fiscal Implications: Total amount of contract is not to exceed $125,000. Funding for contracted services was identified and planned for in the 2001-02 fiscal year. Funding is available in the Technology Services current expense budget.

PROGRAM

1. Grant Proposals
Competitive (#612): North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction / Central Office. Fiscal implications vary by grant. Staff recommends the Board approve the applications.

HUMAN RESOURCES

1. Recommendation for Administrative Appointments

2. Recommendations for Administrative Transfers

3. Recommendations for Request for Leave

COMMITTEE CHAIRS' REPORTS

ACTION ITEMS

PROGRAM

1. Wake Technology Academy (5 minutes)
An overview of the proposed program for the Wake Technology Academy was presented at the Wake County Board of Education meeting on December 4, 2001. A request was made that the Board approve a resolution supporting the concepts of the academy. Per resolution, the funding for the Wake Technology Academy capital and operating needs will not come from Wake County Public School Systems funds, unless provided by the County Commissioners as an additional appropriation and not cause a reduction in current or future county appropriations dedicated to reach and sustain 95% of our students at grade level. Recommendation for Action: The Board of Education approves the attached resolution of support of the concept of the Wake Technology Academy.

FACILITIES

1. Schematic Design: Powell Elementary (5 minutes)
Staff will present schematic design documents prepared by PADIA Consulting, Inc. for Powell Elementary. Fiscal Implications - The total project budget of $3,811,338 is from reallocations within the PLAN 2000 School Building Program. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested.

2. Schematic Design: Stough Elementary Renovation (5 minutes)
Staff will present the schematic design documents prepared by Brown & Jones Architects, Inc. for Stough Elementary classroom wing renovation. Fiscal Implications - The total project budget of $1,728,405 is from the PLAN 2000 School Building Program. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested.

3. Request to Honor Retired Coach and Teacher at Wake Forest-Rolesville High
(5 minutes)
The Wake Forest-Rolesville High School Athletic Booster Club, in cooperation with the school's administrative staff, has requested that the board of education name the main gymnasium on that campus (constructed in 1989) in honor of Larry Lindsey, retired teacher and basketball coach. Coach Lindsey was a successful teacher and coach at Wake Forest-Rolesville High School for 23 years. Approval of this request requires the waiver of Board Policy 2571. Fiscal Implications - None. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested to name the Wake Forest-Rolesville High main gymnasium in honor of Larry Lindsey.

HUMAN RESOURCES

1. Employee Excellence Award (5 minutes)
The Employee Excellence Award will be an opportunity to recognize employees throughout the Wake County Public School System covering all support and administrative positions. A memo will go out to all employees informing them of the process and inviting them to participate. A committee will be formed to judge the nominees. The committee will be representatives of all areas. Up to ten individuals will be recognized at the board meeting opposite Spotlight on Students beginning in February. All employees recognized at the board meeting will receive the Excellence plaque. One of the employees recognized each month will be chosen as "Employee of the Month" and will receive a write up in the News and Observer and local weekly papers. We will promote the Excellence Award on the intranet and send postings to the schools and central offices.

INFORMATION

PROGRAM

1. Effectiveness of ALP 2000-01 (45 minutes)
ALP was expanded from grades 3-8 to K-12 in 2000-01. ALP represents the major locally funded initiative to provide additional assistance to low achieving students. The program is also one of the strategies intended to help the system reach the goal of having 95% of students at or above grade level by 2003. A summary of trends is attached. Results are generally positive, although some areas for improvement exist. The budget for ALP in 2000-01 was $13,747,092. Given the size of the budget, results in this report can help inform future budget decisions. Staff presents this item as information only.

2. Progress Towards the Goal
"By 2003, 95% of students tested will be at or above grade level as measured by NC EOG testing at grades 3 and 8." Analysis of EOG test results for 2000-2001 shows that: Scores on all four tests targeted by the 2003 Goal were higher than ever before. Current rates of improvement are still inadequate to reach the goal. Groups that have the highest percentage of students scoring below grade level (students from low-income families, African-American and Hispanic students) have made the largest gains since 1998. ALP interventions appear to be benefiting all demographic groups. The strongest predictor of low achievement is income, as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch. Approximately 46% of the students who participated in the school lunch program scored in Levels I or II. Both local and state funds have been reallocated towards reaching the Goal. Also, some additional local dollars were sought and appropriated towards the Goal, but the funds received were less than requested. The ALP evaluation report will elaborate on the funds and how they were used. Staff presents this item as information only.
PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUATION (if needed)

ADJOURNMENT

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