Carteret county Schools

REPORT BY CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
Dr. Rick Luettich said he worked with Mr. Maready since the last Board meeting to get a clear understanding of where the bond projects stand. Dr. Luettich said, with the exception of the Croatan auditorium, the bond projects are very much on budget.

Dr. Luettich reported that the Construction Committee met in early December and reviewed the bond projects budgets. The committee is made up of Board members June Fulcher, David Carr and Dr. Luettich. Others attending the meeting were Superintendent Dr. David Lenker, Plant Operations Director Judson Walton, Bond Projects Manager Keith Maready and Communications Director Tabbie Nance.

Mrs. Fulcher and Mr. Carr said they were both pleased with the status of the bond projects and budget.
Dr. Luettich said the Committee also considered how much of East Carteret High School to demolish. He noted the discussion during the bond was that the science wing would be demolished. That is called Wing F. Wing E is beside Wing F and contains four classrooms and one computer lab.

Dr. Luettich said there had been an ongoing discussion as to whether the Board should demolish no part of the existing school, demolish Wing F, or demolish Wing F and Wing E.

Dr. Luettich reported the Committee had developed the following recommendation: To demolish Wings E and F and, with the savings, add an additional four classrooms to the new classroom building. He said the savings would be realized in new construction versus renovating an old building. Dr. Luettich said the Committee members believe there is enough money to build the new classrooms, and it was a better use of the money. He added the money would be put into new construction above the flood level and not into renovation of classrooms below the level.
Mrs. Fulcher said she originally opposed demolishing Wing E. but after further study and review of the costs, she believes it is a better use of money to build new classrooms above flood level and with new wiring, etc.

Mr. Carr said his motivation was to move as many students and faculty out of the flood plain as possible.

Mr. Maready said there would be enough savings from the demolition of Wing E to construct the new classrooms. He said no demolition would take place until the new classroom building is complete.
Mrs. Neagle applauded the Board for being open to what everyone had to say about the site of East Carteret High School.

Dr. Luettich made the motion for the Board of Education to approve a plan to demolish Wings E and F at East Carteret High School, and to design four additional classrooms to be added to the new wing and bid as an alternate.
Mrs. Fulcher provided the second and all members voted aye.

CONSIDER REQUEST TO COUNTY FOR SALE OF $18.3 MILLION OF BONDS

Bond Projects Manager Keith Maready reported that to date the system has received bids on about 6.4 percent of the $49,045,283 in bond project work. He noted that bond projects are on scheduled at this time. Mr. Maready noted the county has previously sold $22 million of the bond value, which will cover the projected spending through the fourth quarter of 2007 with the exception of the new construction at East Carteret High School. The projected starting date for the new construction at East Carteret High School is April 2007.

Mr. Maready asked Board members to formally request the County Commissioners approve the sale of $18.3 million of the bonds. He noted this would include the $4,116,675 bond for the new construction at East Carteret High School. This will allow funds to be available for the new construction work in April 2007 and for cash flow needs through the third quarter of 2008.

Dr. Rick Luettich made the motion that request the County to sell $18.3 million in bond to include the new construction bonds for ECHS.

Bill Blair provided the second and all members voted aye.

RECEIVE BOND PROJECTS UPDATE
Mr. Maready updated the Board on several bond projects.

Roofing work at Beaufort Middle and Broad Creek Middle is continuing to progress. The roofing work and HVAC work on the White Oak Elementary gym started December 12, 2006. The roofing work should be completed during the Christmas break.

The bids for the new construction and HVAC renovation at Bogue Sound Elementary have been publicly advertised, and are due December 20, 2006.

The design team and Mr. Maready are working on the East Carteret High School sight package and plan to bid that work in late January 2007.

The first window replacement project at East Carteret High School will start in early January 2007.

Mr. Maready plans to advertise for bids for the first major HVAC project on December 31 with a bid date of January 31, 2007. This project will include Atlantic Elementary, Harkers Island Elementary and Smyrna Elementary.

The design work on new construction projects is still on schedule with bid dates. The roof design team will have East Carteret High and Harkers Island Elementary ready to bid in March 2007. The HVAC design team is near completion on all HVAC work and packages will be bid throughout 2007.

Work at Morehead City Elementary School is being funded by a Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) and is not part of the bond work. Mr. Maready reported that the roofing, HVAC and electric work at that school are continuing with good progress and performance. He expects to receive bids on the Morehead City Elementary window projects January 4, 2007.