'Good news' from school board meeting
Superintendent Chris Dossenbach noted that he asked vendors that the district utilized over the past year to voluntarily help fund costs associated with two upcoming events: a three-day accelerated learning conference and a convocation. Both are scheduled prior to the start of school next month.
Over $25,000 has been committed for these events. 'Those who we supported stepped up to support us,' he said.
In addition, he noted that because the district anticipated that there could be a delay in receiving some federal funds, it should be OK even though such funds have been delayed because the district budgeted for it.
'We may have to make some minor cuts here and there, but we don't feel like it's going to be too major for us here,' he said.
Funds impacted by the delays include Title 1©, 2 and 3. These represent migrant education, professional development for staff, and 'after school' programs and enrichment for gifted students.
The total for these programs is around $1 million. 'We remain hopeful that the funds will be released,' he said.
Dossenbach noted that Lee County's portion of some $6.8 billion in federal education funds relates to the Trump administration reviewing seven federal education programs. The disbursement date for such was July 1, according to edweek.org.
LCHS BLEACHERS
Construction of new bleachers on the visitors' side of the Lee County High School football field will begin this month, Dossenbach said, noting this is earlier than the previous start date in October.
This will save the district some funds that would have been spent on bleacher rentals for some football games, he said.
PRESCHOOL
Board member Alan Rummel noted that the district plans to add a second entrance at W.B. Wicker Elementary to accommodate the addition of the district's preschool, which is moving from Warren Williams School.
This includes installation of a security door and 'customer window' in the office. In addition, the district is adding two classroom exit doors and sidewalks.
A relatively new playground at Warren Williams was recently moved to W.B. Wicker and a new sign will be installed.
If the preschool had remained at Warren Williams, some $1 million in upgrades were needed there, he added.
LOCAL PRODUCE
Rummel noted that, in accord with a school board goal, LCS will be using some local produce this year in students' lunches.
R&H Produce won a bid for grocery supplies and will include products as part of the North Carolina Farm to School program.
BUS GARAGE
The board unanimously approved a Request for Qualifications submission from CRA Associates of Chapel Hill, an architectural and engineering firm, for a new bus garage.
Rummel noted that CRA designed the bus garage in Chatham County.
The 27,000-square-foot Chatham bus garage with 16 work bays — which was built in 2017 — cost $6.1 million following a $5.8 million bid and some change orders, according to a board document.
LCS' bus garage has a budget of $13.5 million, he said, noting he'd like to stay under that amount.
LCS' Director of Facilities Chris McNeill recently told the Sanford Herald that the tentative plan is to build the new bus garage next to the district's current facility on Cox Maddox Road.
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