including six set to open in August, are on schedule, a top Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Schools official told the Board of Education Tuesday
during an update on capital projects.
"We've been assured that the projects that are currently under
construction will continue to be funded," said Guy Chamberlain,
associate superintendent for auxiliary services.
However, nearly 20 other new-construction and renovation projects in
the pipeline – including four elementary schools scheduled to open in
2010 – will likely be delayed because of Mecklenburg County's
financial woes. County commissioners have said they do not want to
incur any additional debt during the current economic crisis.
Chamberlain also told Board members that of the $745 million in
Certificates of Participation (COPs) and bonds approved by voters
since 2006, $436 million in work has been completed or is under
contract. The remaining $309 million has not been awarded.
As projects progress, CMS has saved substantial money by using good
bid practices and sound fiscal management.
"The cumulative savings in all projects is about $21 million,"
Chamberlain said. "We've been good stewards of taxpayer dollars. We're
trying to deliver as we promised."
Of that $21 million in savings, $7 million has been redirected to 2008
COPs projects; the remaining amount has yet to be allocated.
In November 2007, voters approved a $516 million school-bond
referendum, including $30 million set aside to buy land for future
schools. CMS has spent about half of the money on sites for four
elementary schools and two middle schools, and on land to expand
McClintock Middle.
"The county has indicated that they are not going to issue any debt
until July or August," Chamberlain said, adding that it's unclear how
much the county will issue.
For the 2009-10 academic year, the six schools scheduled to open are:
Hamilton Smith Road, Berewick (formerly Dixie River Road), Mount Holly-
Huntersville and Salome Church Road elementary schools, and Ridge Road
and Belmeade Road middle schools.
The following school year, Bailey Road and Matthews/Mint Hill high
schools will open. Four elementary schools are also scheduled to open
but could be delayed because it appears the county will not issue the
necessary bonds by June. The schools are: Robinson Church Road, Ervin
Cook Road, Johnston Oehler Road and New York Road/Red Fez Club.
Other highlights of Chamberlain's presentation:
o CMS stands to lose the free site where it plans
to build an elementary school at the Palisades. Under an agreement
between CMS, Mecklenburg County and Crescent Resources, the developer
donated the site to CMS as part of a rezoning. However, CMS agreed to
begin construction by July 1 or lose the free site. If construction
begins after July 1, CMS would have to pay market value – $1.3 million
– for the site.
o The CMS per-square-foot construction cost
remains lower than the state averages. For elementary, CMS is $131.61,
compared to the state's $145.50. For middle schools, CMS pays $117.69,
compared to the state's $167.11. For high schools, CMS is $167.50,
compared to the state's $182.25.
o The CMS per-seat construction cost is also lower
than the statewide averages for elementary, middle and high schools.
For elementary schools, CMS pays $14,220, compared to the state's
$16,911. For middle schools, the district pays $12,749, compared to
the state's $24,207. For high schools, CMS pays $21,623, compared to
the state's $31,087.
o CMS is on track to reduce by 15 percent the
number of temporary or mobile classrooms, a goal in the district's
Strategic Plan 2010. "With the classrooms that we deliver in August,
we will be able to take about 350 mobiles out of service and we'll
meet the goal a year early," Chamberlain said. CMS has more than 1,200
mobile classrooms.
