CHCCS hopes for new elementary school

As the possibility of overcrowding in local elementary schools becomes more real, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board is considering dipping into its own savings to start building a new school.

At a joint meeting Sept. 22, the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the school district discussed a plan that would jumpstart the construction of Elementary 11, the district’s latest school proposal.

Elementary 11, which would cost the county about $20.6 million, would alleviate overcrowding in the district by serving 585 students.

Construction of the new school has been delayed because of a lack of funding in the past.

At the start of the 2011-2012 school year, 5,440 elementary-age students were enrolled in the district — 42 more students than was projected.

If the district reaches 5,506 students, or 105 percent capacity, the county would have to freeze residential development in the area, in accordance with Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance.

In order to avoid the freeze and overcrowding, school board officials have proposed taking $3.1 million out of the fund balance to begin construction on Elementary 11 immediately.

The county originally planned to begin funding the project in August 2012.

The county, which is responsible for funding the project, would pay the district back for the borrowed money.

If the district were to go through with the plan, Elementary 11 would open by August 2013, said district spokeswoman Stephanie Knott, instead of the original projected August 2014 opening.

Although County Manager Frank Clifton said he recognizes the problems with overcrowding, he said starting the project early could push the county past their debt service limit of 15 percent of their general fund expenditures.

He said he thinks timing is a difficult issue, and making sure the district and county’s goals match up is the biggest struggle.

“It’s an issue of making sure the two group’s calendars are in sync,” he said.

Clifton also said he believes funding the school construction early could be a preemptive move.

“As much as we don’t want an overcrowded classroom, we don’t want an empty classroom,” he said.

County Commissioner Alice Gordon said although the county wants to build the school early, the commissioners’ debt limit might prevent them from borrowing the funds to do so.

But Gordon also said enrollment totals for the elementary schools are not final yet, and she worries they could fluctuate up throughout the year.

“I think we should get this school going,” she said.

Mia Day Burroughs, vice-chairwoman of the school board, said she fears the effects overcrowding could have on students.

“The biggest problems will be in the core facilities — or places like the gym and the cafeteria that we can’t expand,” she said. “To feed all the kids lunch forces us to start feeding them earlier or later.”

She said schools might have to start serving lunch as early as 10 a.m. to accommodate all students.

But Borroughs said she thinks the county is committed to education and opening the elementary school.

“I feel lucky to be an elected official in a place that’s so forward thinking about education,” she said.

The school board will further discuss the new proposal at a meeting Thursday.

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