1991 - 08-19-91 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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0 0 aoo~ 13 P1 ,E 975 will limit programs available to the school. Commissioner Cox stated that he has no position on this issue currently. He noted that demographics play a major role in the final, decision of this bond issue and debt is a concern of all involved, which would require prudent and frugal financing. He suggested selling bonds for the construction of the first school and raising ad valorem taxes ten cents per $100 valuation to "pay as you go" to cover the remaining balance of these school projects. He requested that the Board of Education reveal all its real estate surplus and fund balances that could aid in the project funding. Commissioner Hall stated that if the bond issue were adopted with a ten cents tax to assist in funding the project, the $1.6 million generated, plus interest per year from the additional ten cents tax would accrue to in excess of $3 million during the possible three years involved in getting the school in place, leaving only $2 million to borrow for the project. The County would have seven years to complete the sale of the bonds, which would allow time for the County to sell additional bonds if needed. The Board of Education needs this issue to be considered on the ballots in November, in order to meet the State's timetable guidelines imposed for remedying the sewer system problems at the Deep River School. The voters should be given the opportunity to make the decisions at hand. He stated that it was not the Board of Commissioners' charge to determine where the Deep River school will be located. Commissioner Paschal asked if Deep River School will be relocated. Mr. Winstead stated that the Board of Education has not decided on the site of the school. Commissioner Wicker stated that according to a three-phase study made several years ago by the Lee County Board of Education, a new school was to be built in Deep River. He also rioted that Bragg Street School has seventeen acres of property on which renovations and additions can be made. Mr. Winstead confirmed that there is a commitment in writing to locate a school in Deep River. Commissioner Reives inquired about the use of Wicker School, which is currently unoccupied and large, versus the current use of the smaller Bragg Street School. Mr. Winstead stated that only six teaching stations were needed, therefore, Bragg Street School was more economical to operate for that purpose than Wicker School which is much larger and would cost more to operate. Also, Wicker School was in use during the Greenwood Elementary School construction when Bragg Street School was reopened last year. He reported that the State's minimum requirements of ten acres of land, plus an additional acre for every 100 students in that school would limit Bragg Street School's capacity to 600 students. Commissioner Reives inquired about the acreage available at Wicker School. Mr. Winstead stated that Wicker School is located on a 25-acre site. Commissioner Reives questioned the poor conditions that exist at Jonesboro School, which are categorized as more urgent for correction 7