AGENDA #3a(1)

 


June 11, 2008

 

Mayor Kevin Foy

Chapel Hill Town Council

405 Martin Luther King Blvd.

Chapel Hill, NC  27514

 

Dear Mayor Foy,

 

The school district continues to face increased student enrollment and the need for additional schools.  While our newest school, Morris Grove Elementary School, will open in August 2008, student enrollment projections indicate the need for the 11th elementary school to open in 2011.  On June 5, 2008, the School Board held public comment and discussion regarding a site for Elementary School #11.  The staff recommendation to choose the Northside site was favorably received by the School Board and the item will be voted on at our June 19 meeting.  We expect approval to site Elementary No. 11 at Northside.

 

The purpose of this letter is to request an expedited review of the Special Use Permit (SUP) process. Hopefully, the Town Council will receive our petition at its June 25 meeting and refer it to Town staff for Council resolution in September.  A favorable response to our request will be of great assistance in maintaining the project’s schedule.  The schedule for Elementary School #11 is aggressive and the most important date is to receive a Building Permit in February 2010 and immediately begin construction.

 

Related to the design of Elementary School #11, we also ask if the Town of Chapel Hill would like to again partner with the school district and construct a full size gymnasium. The successful experience at Rashkis Elementary School, where the school’s multi purpose room was expanded to a full size gymnasium, is a terrific example of partnership working for the benefit of the community.  The design process of Elementary School #11 will begin in July, so your answer to the gymnasium question would be appreciated during the summer if possible.

 

Thank you for your consideration of our request.  We look forward to working with the Town of Chapel Hill in opening our next school.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

Pamela S. Hemminger, Chair

CHCCS Board of Education

 

Cc:       CHCCS Board of Education

            Roger Stancil, Town Manager