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BOOK 21 PAGE 45 Y <br />received a revised resolution from Bond Counsel in reference to the Lee County Board <br />of Education's request to call for a special election in June for a bond referendum not to <br />exceed $25 million for renovations to Lee County High School. Commissioners made <br />the following comments in reference to this matter: <br />Commissioner Reives <br />• Feels the timing was premature and the County has many things before <br />them that need to be addressed. <br />• Tax rate has not been decided much less discussion on spending $25 <br />million for the schools. <br />• Other requests will need to be looked at and considered. <br />• The local schools are not the only educational institution that needs <br />funding at this time. <br />• The issue needs to be addressed at some time but in his opinion, not this <br />year. <br />• Feels the Commissioners need to get a handle on many different things <br />before moving forward on spending more money. <br />Commissioner Shook <br />• Acknowledged there are serious challenges at our schools. <br />• Discussed achievement levels, immigration issues, teacher expectations. <br />• Believes the Board of Education is working for the best interest of the <br />schools and teachers. <br />• Responsibility of the Commissioners to study all issues needed at this <br />time. <br />• Get all the facts in order to make sound decisions. <br />• Make sure all requests are within budget and within the County's CIP <br />Plan. <br />• Addressed the fact the high schools are only open ten months out of the <br />year, eight hours per day. Has anyone studied the possibility of block <br />scheduling or trimester classes to use the current facilities? <br />• Felt there needed to be some type of strategy in place in order to move <br />forward. <br />• Admitted she made a mistake at the February 5, 2007 meeting when she <br />voted for the $80,000 request from the School Board for a study of Lee <br />County High School. <br />• Would like to see an Education Task Force established to address some <br />of the schools concerns. Commissioner Shook stated she would take the <br />leadership role on this project and submit a resolution at the March <br />meeting for consideration. <br />Commissioner Lemmond <br />• Stated there needs to be more direction on the Lee County High School <br />project; the project is coming too close to the new middle school project. <br />• The citizens have concerns in reference to this project. <br />5 <br />