Board Agenda for the Week of 4/2/2001

OPEN SESSION - 3:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

QUORUM DETERMINATION

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

INFORMATION

Chairman's Comments
Superintendent's Report

APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA

PUBLIC HEARING ON SUPERINTENDENT'S BUDGET REQUEST

PUBLIC HEARING ON GUIDELINES FOR REDISTRICTING

PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CONSENT ITEMS

PROGRAM

1. Grant Proposals
Competitive (#533): United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, Arts Education Initiative / Individual schools (e.g., Bugg, Douglas, Mt. Vernon, Olds, Partnership and Wakefield @ approximately $2,500 each); Competitive (#534): North Carolina Arts Council, Presenting Artists in Schools / Individual schools (e.g., Bugg @ approximately $10,000); Competitive (#535): North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Technology Literacy Challenge Fund, Year 3 of 3 / Collaboration among Lead Mine, Ligon and Broughton ($50,000); Competitive (#536): State Library of North Carolina, School Library Collection and Development Grant / Individual schools (e.g., Wiley @ approximately $10,000); Competitive (#537): State Library of North Carolina, Powerful Partners Collaboration Grant / Individual schools (e.g., Wiley @ approximately $30,000); Competitive (#538): North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, K-12 School-Based Learn and Serve America / Individual schools ($10,000); Competitive (#539): North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, K-12 School-Based Learn and Serve America / Ligon MS 3rd year continuation ($7,000). Funding varies by grant. Recommended that the board approve the applications.

PERSONNEL

1. Recommendations for Employment

2. Requests for Leave

3. Recommendation for Administrative Appointment

FINANCE

1. Retainer Agreement with Tharrington Smith
The rates billed by Tharrington Smith for legal representation for the Wake County Board of Education have not changed since 1993. The current monthly retainer rate is $2,500 and the current hourly rate is $120. The proposed contract increases the retainer to $3,000 per month and the hourly fees increase to $135 for partners, $125 for associates, and $60 for paralegals. Fiscal Implications: The proposed rate increases will be paid from funds budgeted for fiscal year 2001-2002. The Superintendent's 2001-2002 Budget Request includes an increase of $340,509 to $900,000 for legal fees.

2. Budget Amendments and Transfers, 2000-2001
To report changes in the budget resolution for the month of February. Fiscal Implications:
Adjust State Public School Fund+$7,807,933
Adjust Local Current Expense Fund+$ 2,500
Adjust Federal Programs Fund- $ 310,099
Adjust Capital Outlay Fund+$ 20,940
Adjust Multiple Enterprise Fund+$ 0

3. Activity Bus Purchase
To appropriate restricted fund balance for purchase of three activity buses for the central fleet that serves all schools. Fiscal Implications: $150,000.

4. Authorization Forms
These authorization forms designate the persons authorized to sign vouchers for the payment of money on behalf of Wake County Public School System 401k account. Fiscal Implications: These authorization forms are required for bank records.

5. Router and Switch Configuration Audit and Inventory Service
Agreement: Alphanumeric Systems, Inc.
Technology Services requests that Alphanumeric Systems, Inc. be awarded a contract to audit and inventory every router and switch throughout the WCPSS. This satisfies one of the recommendations of the Technology Services' Audit Report submitted to the WCBOE Audit Committee on January 3, 2001. This will include:

1. Creating a database to record the inventory and installation of the database at a WCPSS site(s) of Technology Services' choosing. The database will allow for future system growth and will include no less than the manufacturer, model number, serial number, site location, building location, room location, configuration verification, IP address, port count and date purchased. All equipment will be labeled to WCPSS specifications. Alphanumeric will reconcile equipment already purchased and warehoused. This process will allow a more thorough record of the system's fixed assets.

2. WCPSS will provide all documentation and information to Alphanumeric necessary for successful completion of this project. Fiscal Implications: Funding in the amount of $47,235.00 is requested. This is a not to exceed amount and may be reduced dependent upon actual hours expended. Funding is available through the Technology Services Division current expense budget.

FACILITIES

1.Bids: Cary High Renovations
Bids were received on March 13, 2001 for phase four of the state bond renovations at Cary High School. The low bidder, Blair Construction, Inc. requested to withdraw their bid due to an error on the bid proposal. After review and having conducted a hearing, staff and AlphaCollier Design, Inc. recommend award of the single-prime general contract to McDonald York, Inc., in the amount of 411,575. Fiscal Implications - Funds are available from the total project budget of $2,750,805. The total project budget consists of $2,613,050 from the board-approved 1996 State Bond Project budget and $137,755 from the ADA component of the 1996 State Bond Program.
Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested.

2.Bids: Cary High Asbestos Removal
Bids were received on March 20, 2001 for the asbestos removal associated with phase four of the state bond renovations at Cary High School. Staff and Childress Environmental Consultant, Inc. recommend award of the asbestos abatement contract to Kein Contracting Corporation, in the amount of 106,444. Fiscal Implications - Funds are available from the total project budget of $2,750,805. The total project budget consists of $2,613,050 from the board-approved 1996 State Bond Project budget and $137,755 from the ADA component of the 1996 State Bond Program. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested.

3.Bids: Knightdale Elementary Heat Pump Replacement
Bids were received on March 20, 2001 for Knightdale Elementary water source heat pump replacement. Staff and Padia Consulting, Inc. recommend award of a single-prime mechanical contract to Mid-South Mechanical, Inc., in the amount of 296,537. Fiscal Implications - Funding is available from the total project budget of $412,000 from Phase IIIB deferred maintenance funds. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested.

4.Bids: Martin Middle Renovations
Bids were received on March 15, 2001 for the Martin Middle School building renovations. Staff and Pearce, Brinkley, Cease & Lee, PA recommend award of the single-prime general construction contract to Jedco Construction Inc., in the amount of $410,554. There were not sufficient multi-prime bids to open. Fiscal Implications - Funds are available from the total board-approved 1996 State Bond Program budget of $2,340,650. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested.

5.Bids: 2001 Relocation of Mobile Classrooms - Package "A"
Bids were received on March 13, 2001 after re-advertisement for the 2001 Relocation of Mobile Classrooms - Package "A". Staff and Pearce, Brinkley Cease & Lee, PA recommend award of a single-prime contract to C. Blake Lewis Construction, in the amount of $370,995. Fiscal Implications - Funds are available from the board-approved 2000-2001 Capital Outlay budget of $1,300,000. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested.

6.Bids: West Cary Middle Renovations
Bids were received on March 20, 2001 for the West Cary Middle School, Building 3 Renovations. Staff and The New Synergy, Inc. recommend award of the general construction contract to Polovick Construction Co, Inc., in the amount of $91,399; mechanical contract to Mid-South Mechanical, Inc., in the amount of $187,887.00; electrical contract to Jones, Inc. of Wilson, in the amount of $52,142. The total of these multi-prime bids is $331,428. The lowest single-prime bid was $354,520. Board approval is requested. Fiscal Implications - Funds are available from the board-approved total state bond project budget of $1,561,992. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested.

7. Design Consultant Agreement: East Wake High Addition and Renovations
Negotiations have been completed with Pearce, Brinkley, Cease & Lee, PA for the design of the East Wake High School addition and renovations. This project includes the master planning of the entire site. The form of agreement is the standard form approved by the board attorneys. Fiscal Implications - The total project budget is $8,130,061, which is funded under PLAN 2000. The project includes proposed compensation for the design consultants of $488,038 and $17,000 for the site master plan. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested.

8. Design Consultant Agreement: Stough Elementary Addition and Renovations
Negotiations have been completed with Brown & Jones Architects, Inc. for the design of the PLAN 2000 addition and renovations at Stough Elementary School. The form of agreement is the standard form approved by the board attorney. Fiscal Implications - The total project budget is $1,728,405, which is funded under PLAN 2000. Total project budget includes proposed compensation for the design consultant of $108,498. Recommendation for Action - Board approval is requested.

ACTION ITEMS

PROGRAM

1. Assignment of New Subdivisions to Schools
Staff will present recommendations for the following subdivisions: Falls Glen, Ashley Park Apartments, Brighton, Camden Crossing, Falls Creek Apartments, and The Park at Perry Creek. Transportation costs will increase due to travel distance. Other facilities- related costs would be avoided. This is presented for approval.

INFORMATION ITEMS

PROGRAM

1. The Preparation of the Traditional Instructional Calendar
The calendar committee typically consists of twenty-five to thirty people representing the groups or departments as shown on an attachment to this sheet. This committee has traditionally been convened in August or September, and has made its recommendation to the Board in November. State law, state calendar guidelines, and WCPSS policies are guiding points during the planning of the calendar. No fiscal implications.

2. Calendar Conversions
The parameters for schools requesting calendar conversions are included on the attached information sheet. No fiscal implications.

3. Changes in North Carolina Testing and ABC Programs
Several significant changes in the North Carolina testing program are being implemented during the 2000-2001 school year. Changes include the following: (1) Special education students will no longer be exempted from state tests. Testing options will include a Computer Adaptive Testing System, an "Alternate Assessment Academic Inventory", and an "Alternative Assessment Portfolio." New forms of EOG and EOC mathematics tests aligned with the revised Standard Course of Study will be administered. New tests will require new scoring "scales". (2) Several changes will also be made to the ABC Accountability Program for 2000-2001. A "prediction" model will be used to establish target scores for all multiple-choice EOC tests. Changes in dropout rates over time will be added to "Growth" reports. Components of growth calculations will be "weighted" to
reflect the number of students measured. A test taken by more students will count more than a test taken by fewer students. Computer skills test results at grade 8 will be added to school "Performance" composite scores. An update on any changes in the testing program and state accountability program will be presented. This item is presented for information only. We expect a substantial increase in costs for overtime and temporary help for the Testing Office.

4. Update on Project Achieve
Information on Project Achieve will be presented.

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.