School Board Passes resolution calling for state bond of $2 BILLION!

[chrstnhsbndfthr]

The joint meeting went well, but then afterwards they passed a resolution calling for the STATE to pass a bond.   It doesn't seem like a good idea to me, to send out money to Raleigh, run it through the meat grinder and see what if any we get back.

[Gene Galin]

Are you sure that's Billion?

[girlfrompbo]

From the meeting summary:

The Board voted to approve a school facilities resolution 1) in support of a two billion dollar K-12 Public School Facility Bond Referendum for North Carolina and 2) that encourages the 2007 General Assembly to take necessary actions for a public vote on the issue.

It sounds like a bond for schools statewide, not just us.  Our school board is merely showing its support. Its also only 2 Billion unless the meeting summary has a typo.

[chrstnhsbndfthr]

Dr. Hart was reading that resolution fast and I was taking notes as fast as I could. 

Okay, here is the resolution:

RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, providing a better and safer learning environment for our
children is a pressing need in the State of North Carolina, and in Chatham County; and
WHEREAS, over the next five years, North Carolina faces over $9.9 billion in
school construction needs and Chatham County Schools faces $ $92 million to $95 million
in school construction needs; and
WHEREAS, class size reduction from North Carolina and Federal initiatives
require commensurate space at existing public school facilities. North Carolina Public
Schools have made space for North Carolina’s expansion of More at Four and Smart
Start pre-Kindergarten, and Federal mandates from the No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for individual and small
group instruction placing additional burdens on North Carolina’s public school facilities;
and
WHEREAS, inadequate facility funding and explosive student growth
prohibit North Carolina Public Schools from providing adequate classroom space,
resulting in the use of mobile units and deteriorating facilities that pose health and
safety hazards for students and personnel, leaking roofs, antiquated ventilation, cramped
classrooms, without sufficient funding for replacement and or repairs; and
WHEREAS, Chatham County Schools is currently using 67 mobile units; and
WHEREAS, public school construction costs have increased by 47% since 2000
and continues to increase along with public school facility needs; and
WHEREAS, a state-wide school bond is an investment in public
school facilities that will provide replacement or repair of deteriorating buildings,
accommodate student growth, decrease the need for mobile units, retrofit school facilities
for 21st century technologies, improve working conditions for teachers to help address
North Carolina’s teacher shortage, and provide a safe learning environment for
North Carolina’s students;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED:
The Chatham County Schools Board of Education hereby adopts this Resolution
in support of a two (2) Billion K-12 Public School Facility Bond Referendum for North
Carolina, and encourages the 2007 General Assembly to take such actions as are necessary
to allow the people of North Carolina to express their views through a public vote in a
Bond Referendum to benefit the children of North Carolina.
It is further ordered that a copy of this Resolution be sent to The Honorable
Michael F. Easley, Governor of North Carolina, Dr. June St. Clair Atkinson, the
Superintendent of Public Instruction, the current members of the North Carolina General
Assembly, and the North Carolina State Board of Education.
This, the _____ day of February, 2007.
______________________________ ________________________________
Superintendent Chairperson

[girlfrompbo]

yeah, this is an issue being proposed at the state level which our board is simply supporting.  they did not initiate the request.

[srvfan]

I thought lottery proceeds were suppose to finance school construction.

Looks like there aren't as many suckers in NC as the legislature originally thought

[girlfrompbo]

school systems are ALWAYS going to want more money.  there's always new technology, or smaller classes, or better facilities. 

[chrstnhsbndfthr]

Are you sure that's Billion?

Yeah, that is a B.  But it is 9.9 Billion.  I don't see anywhere that it limits this to 2 billion.  Bonds often result in forced tax increases and we've got a pretty huge tax burden already.  This is one place I wish they had gone s l o w and thoughtful.

[WolfpackFan]

How much would our cut be?  I can't imagine it's as simple as dividing 9.9B by 100.

[girlfrompbo]

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED:
The Chatham County Schools Board of Education hereby adopts this Resolution
in support of a two (2) Billion K-12 Public School Facility Bond Referendum

[peacefulcapitalist]

Looks like there aren't as many suckers in NC as the legislature originally thought

You can't blame them for thinking we're suckers, after all we elected them

[peacefulcapitalist]

I kinda agree with the logic of:  if the requirements that cost the schools big money come from the state, then why shouldn't the state pay for them?  I think that's their logic.  IMO this is more a rebellion against unfunded mandates than anything else.

[chrstnhsbndfthr]

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED:
The Chatham County Schools Board of Education hereby adopts this Resolution
in support of a two (2) Billion K-12 Public School Facility Bond Referendum

Good, that is much less painful!

Now it is just billions instead of billions and billions and billions!

[Coffee]

One of the advantages of a state bond is that it won't hurt Chathams' credit rating so they'll still be able to issue county bonds after the state issues their bonds. It's like borrowing money from the inlaws.

[bobsyouruncle]

It's like borrowing money from the inlaws.

Good analogy. That's funny.

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