Several building projects planned for area schools might require some major funding from the county.
City and county school officials both recently approved their 10-year capital investment plans, which they were asked to give the Orange County Budget Office by Tuesday.
“This is an annual process, so each year it’s updated and another year is added,” said Kim Hoke, spokeswoman for city schools.
Top priorities listed for city schools include the construction of a new high school and elementary school, as well as the construction of a new central office — slated to open in 2010-11. The district also calls for the conversion of the Lincoln Center, its central office, into an educational facility the following year.
“These are the big new construction items,” Hoke said, adding that renovations to older facilities are also in the plans.
Steve Scroggs, city schools assistant superintendent for support services, said priorities also include ongoing renovations, particularly of facilities built in the 1960s.
County priorities include the construction of a third middle school and the relocation of the district’s alternative school program.
Renovations also are needed for existing facilities, including the unexpected replacement of a cooling tower at Grady A. Brown Elementary School, spokeswoman Anne D’Annunzio said.
While there has been discussion of changing the county’s capital funding expenditures so a smaller amount of money is allocated to both districts, Commissioner Stephen Halkiotis said he did not foresee problems for the schools.
