Laserfiche WebLink
VII. Joint discussion with the Lee County Board of Education and Lee County <br /> Schools senior staff regarding capital projects and future needs <br /> Chairman Patrick Kelly called the Board of Education to Order. The Board of <br /> Education proceeded to discuss capital improvement needs with the Board of <br /> Commissioners. Dr. Andy Bryan, Lee County Schools Superintendent, stated that <br /> their Capital Improvement Plan includes a generator for San-Lee Middle School. For <br /> 2021-2022 the renovation of the gym at West Lee and East Lee Middle Schools <br /> have been on the CIP. The proposal includes doing smaller renovations to the <br /> current gyms and building a new gym. Southern Lee High School needs an <br /> auditorium. Lee County High School currently has one that has been renovated. <br /> County Manager John Crumpton stated that the Board has been looking at the <br /> growth of the county and considering the future needs of schools. He mentioned <br /> demolishing the currently vacated Jonesboro School building and what to do with <br /> the site. The Board is interested in starting to make plans where the next schools <br /> will need to go and how the County will acquire the property along with the capacity <br /> needs at each school. Dr. Bryan stated that building the WB Wicker Elementary <br /> School has allowed for a larger window for some of the anticipated projects that will <br /> be needed. Chair Dalrymple stated that the Strategic Plan consultants will be <br /> reaching out and going around the community interviewing people across the <br /> county to get ideas for budgetary and organizational direction. Dr. Bryan spoke <br /> about fitting some of the school's athletic facilities into the plans for the Sports <br /> Complex Project. The Boards discussed joining schools such as a high school and <br /> middle school together. Chair Dalrymple invited the School Board to the Census <br /> Count Committee meeting on February 5, 2020 beginning at 6:30 at the McSwain <br /> Center. Board of Education Member Sheri Lynn Womack stated that the findings of <br /> the recent Leandro case made prevalent the underfunding of North Carolina <br /> schools. She also reminded the Board of the $4.6 million dollars that has not been <br /> made available to the Schools from the State. The WestEd Report looks to improve <br /> the quality of education. Chairman Patrick Kelly said there has been a lot of <br /> conversation around mental health and the need for counselors and behavior <br /> specialists in the schools. Since the State didn't pass a budget, Superintendent <br /> Bryan stated that it has been difficult to plan and the schools have had to be more <br /> conservative. There has also been concern about the budget for next year as well. <br /> Commissioner Smith asked if there are any plans on how to deal with a potential <br /> work stoppage. Dr. Bryan stated that they are working on communicating with <br /> employees to see what they are thinking. Chairman Kelly and Dr. Bryan stated that <br /> their number one concern is the safety of students. Recruitment of teachers has <br /> been challenging with less people going into the education field. At the high school <br /> level, the schools contracted with off duty deputies to patrol parking lots at high <br /> schools. The schools have had an online reporting system that now allows people to <br /> report anonymously and is tied to counselors. The schools are working to develop <br /> quick responses for reports. Behavior Health Specialists can help prevent issues <br /> from occurring and reduce the amount of distraction in the classroom. <br /> 7 <br />