Blueprint For The 21st Century
Phase IIIB |
Currently, the school system is engaged
in its fourth major building program since 1985. This current program,
called Phase IIIB, has three major goals: to alleviate overcrowding,
improve existing schools and provide technology. To end in 2001,
the $400 million program features 12 new schools, one campus replacement,
and improvements to 35 schools, 17 of which include expansions.
Schools will be equipped with new technology, assuring that every
student has the resources to learn the skills and knowledge the
modern world demands.
The need for Phase IIIB stems from Wake’s soaring growth and aging schools. In the 1980s, Wake schools added 10,000 students. In the 1990s, the school system added over 30,000 students. Our schools struggle to cope with almost 98,000 students today. By the year 2004, almost 14,000 more students will arrive. To alleviate crowding, Phase IIIB will add five elementary schools, four middle, and three high schools. Three opened in 1998, seven opened in 1999, one opened in 2000, and one will open in 2001. More Students Are Coming
Thanks to a state bond referendum passed in November 1996, an additional $123.3 million was provided to build a new elementary school (2000) and middle school (2002), address building improvement needs, technology infrastructure, and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance through 2003. With a continuing shortfall in seats for students, the Wake County Board of Commissioners approved, on March 9, 1998, an additional $27.4 million for the opening of three new elementary schools in the Year 2000. To provide the necessary dollars to open Yates Mill, Salem, and Middle Creek Elementary schools, the commissioners called for the sale of replacement bonds. On June 21, 1999 the commissioners backed a 10-cent increase in the 63-cent property tax rate, per $100 property value. Eight cents of that money went toward school construction, and the remaining two cents was applied toward school system operating costs. This funding generated about $30 million in 1999-2000 which provided for additional renovations at Sanderson High, Carnage Middle, and Olds Elementary. Students at Olds moved into the leased Cardinal Gibbons facility in August and will stay there until June 2001 Remaining dollars are paying for deferred maintenance work, security, and Technology Connections. This tax increase generated $34.5 million for the 2000-01 fiscal year that is providing capital improvements at Enloe High, Wake Forest Elementary, Hunter Elementary, Fuller Elementary as well as half of the funding to build Middle Creek High. Most schools will open their doors to more than just students. Two and one-half million people have used Wake County schools over this past year. Several community facilities, such as libraries, parks and athletic fields, will also share school sites or be located nearby. Phase IIIB is providing human services at several new and existing elementary schools. Called "Ready-to-Learn Centers" the sites house up to five human service providers for children of all ages and their families. There are currently 11 sites, with additional sites planned for the future. Almost all elementary schools will have a pre-kindergarten program to meet federal mandates to serve pre-K handicapped children. Although the need to put roofs over students’ heads is a continuing emphasis, striving for equality between old and new schools figures heavily in the equation. Every existing school is benefiting from modernization efforts that will address health, safety and code compliance. Among other highlights, plans call for lower student-to-computer ratios and system-wide computer networking. There are about 13,000 students in 513 mobile classrooms on Wake County campuses. Stress on core facilities, student support, health and safety, security, maintenance, and traffic is finding relief as the percentage of permanent seats (88%) increases for Wake County students. Phase IIIB is targeting schools for overdue maintenance. Many are enjoying fresh paint and new carpet; several, a new roof. Others are seeing aging, inadequate boilers replaced by high-efficiency heating systems. Phase IIIB is benefiting many existing schools in other ways as well. New desks and chairs are replacing in those in disrepair. Other measures will bring schools in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and environmental legislation including regulating underground fuel storage tanks, lead paint, clean air and asbestos. Existing schools have played an important role in providing more space. Seventeen schools had added capacity as a result of Phase IIIB, due to classroom additions. Additions typically range from 100 to 500 seats. Existing schools are now able to support another 4,500 students. |
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Beyond Phase IIIB |
Phase IIIB is only the current stage
of the school system’s long-range building program. Despite
its new schools and existing school expansions, the system needs
more space to accommodate the influx of more than 3,000 new students
each year and funding to address its aging facilities.
A $938 million Phase IV plan published in December 1998, included 15 new schools, 58 existing school improvements, technology, and other facilities needs through 2004. To fund Phase IV, Wake County Commissioners and the Wake County Board of Education agreed on a $650 million bond referendum for June 8, 1999. Although Wake County is growing and buildings are aging, the public defeated this referendum, the school system’s first bond defeat since 1971. After the defeat of the June 8 bond referendum, the Wake County Commissioners and the Board of Education jointly announced the formation of a citizens advisory committee. Its charge was to study school needs, recommend an acceptable capital spending plan and make such recommendations as it felt appropriate. This committee, chaired by Jim Talton (retired managing partner of KPMG LLP), consisted of 31 members, with Talton choosing 10, the Wake County Board of Education choosing 10, and the Wake County Commissioners choosing 10 members. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee for School Facilities Planning and Funding submitted their findings to the Wake County Commissioners and the Board of Education on April 12, 2000. These recommendations were taken under consideration and a new PLAN 2000 was conceived and approved by the Board of Education September 1. |
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PLAN 2000 |
PLAN 2000 incorporated 21 of the 28 recommendations
with six requiring further study or legislative approval. The one
recommendation not included was to reduce the capacity of new schools
to the lowest number feasible. This will be reconsidered when current
schools are populated at the appropriate levels.
PLAN 2000 (2001-04) school building program, provides 14 new schools to accommodate more than 112,000 students expected in our schools by 2004. Additionally, 32 schools will receive major renovations and expansions. Another 64 schools will get much needed maintenance and repair. PLAN 2000 will cost $550 million. A $500 million bond referendum to finance this plan will be presented November 7, 2000 for public consideration. The remaining $50 million will be provided by Wake County government from general revenues, called "pay-as-you-go" revenue. No tax increase will be required to pay for this building program.
14 New Schools by Level and Opening
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