s042208 special joint AHSApril 22, 2008
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in a special joint meeting with the Asheboro City
Schools Board of Education at 8:00 a.m. at the Asheboro City Schools Professional Development Center,
211 W. Walker Ave, Asheboro, NC. Commissioners Holmes, Frye, Haywood, Kemp and Lanier were
present as well as Alan Pugh, County Attorney; Aimee Scotton, Associate County Attorney; Cheryl Ivey,
Clerk to the Board; and Amanda Varner, Deputy Clerk to the Board. Board of Education members Linda
Cranford, Chris Yow, Phillip Cheek, Jane Redding, Joyce Harrington and Gidget Kidd were present as
well as Dr. Diane Frost, Superintendent.
Call to Order
City Schools Board Chair Gidget Kidd called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the
special meeting to discuss the Asheboro City Schools' current and future needs.
Dr. Diane Frost recognized two teachers, Josh Underdunk and Julie Rockland. Mr. Underdunk, Zoo
School Math teacher, presented a slide show on the School's goals, criteria, partnerships and achievements.
Mr. Underdunk stated that the School's capacity is for 80-100 students from grades 10-12. There are 93
students enrolled this year and 110 have been accepted for the next school year. He also stated that the NC
Zoo had donated a golf cart that the students are currently converting to solar power. The School's goal is
to convert every golf cart in the Zoo's fleet to solar. They are currently pursuing a grant to establish
summer science camps in 2009 for middle school students. Mr. Underdunk thanked the Commissioners for
their funding support of the Zoo School.
Next, Julie Rockland, Art teacher at Guy B. Teachey School, gave a slide show presentation to show
how her newly provided art classroom area has allowed her classes room for much creativity and parent
involvement. She also mentioned that the department started out with two digital cameras, but thanks to a
technology grant, students now have ten digital cameras to use.
Current and Future Facility Needs Overview
Dr. Frost named four areas of needs in their three -to five-year facilities plan: Asheboro High School;
Old Balfour School; athletics upgrades; and roof replacements, system upgrades, and energy efficiency.
Board member Joyce Harrington stated that she is proud of the Asheboro School system and
commended the Commissioners for their support and, in particular, with the Sir Robert Hotel acquisition
and renovation project. Ms. Harrington stated Asheboro High School was built in the 1950s, and she feels
it has been well maintained. Ms. Harrington covered the following points and needs at Asheboro High
School, as follows:
• September 2007, the enrollment - 1293 students; 305 over core capacity of 989 students.
• Initial master planning for a two story addition at the back of the AHS began with the purchase of
Sir Robert Hotel.
• The Sir Robert addition in 2003 bought them about 10 years of time with the additional classrooms
and valuable land for future expansion.
• 21st century upgrades needed: CTE classrooms, computer labs and science labs.
• Original asbestos floor tile needs to be replaced and some classrooms need interior painting.
• Plan for additional smaller learning communities within AHS like the Zoo School.
Board Member Linda Cranford presented the needs for the Old Balfour Annex, as follows:
• Original building was built in 1926 with the newest wing added in 1975.
• The structural soundness of the original building needs to be evaluated due to sagging floors,
deformed walls.
• Roof, mechanical systems and gutters need replacing.
• Additional insulation needed
• The wooden structure poses fire safety issues, and there is not a sprinkler system.
• More parking needed.
• Issues in event of discontinued use:
- Community pride;
- Relocation of programs, including pre -k, alternative school, and warehouse;
- Head Start located on grounds of current campus
Dr. Frost said that the Asheboro City Schools Board is just beginning to determine the costs of the
needs at Balfour but wanted to let the County Commissioners know that details would be forthcoming.
They have plans to call in a structural engineer to determine if the building is sound and if the costs would
be worth the effort to save this school and the community pride and history it has.
If it is determined that the Old Balfour building cannot be renovated, Dr. Frost said that the lot beside
Loflin School that was purchased previously could be used for a modular unit that could house up to four
pre -k classrooms; however, additional sites would be needed to relocate the alternative school and
warehouse facilities.
Board member Chris Yow presented athletic facilities needs, as follows:
• Current athletic fields and gyms utilized by 50 Asheboro City School teams, 71 Asheboro Parks
and Recreation teams and 7 YMCA teams.
• South Asheboro Middle School (SAMS) track needs resurfacing as it is used extensively by schools
and the community.
• North Asheboro Middle School (NAMS), Pugh field need restrooms, storage, and concessions;
upgrades to the Lee J. Stone Stadium (AHS) are needed.
• Air conditioning in Asheboro High School (AHS) gymnasium
• Safety kick boards needed for the AHS visitor side bleachers and additional bleachers needed in
end zone for the band which will free up space on the home bleachers.
• Upgraded lighting at the AHS stadium.
• No acreage available for additional fields—artificial field turf is a possible solution that would save
maintenance costs, water usage, and allow usage 24/7.
Mr. Yow stated that constant maintenance is necessary on the stadium field before and after each game
and season due to the multi users of this one field.
Board member Jane Redding presented the following information:
• Schools that are in need of roof replacements were listed as AHS, Loflin, Balfour Annex, and
Lindley Park, which are estimated at $2.5 million to be "on schedule."
• T-8 lighting needed to replace T-12 in the schools that still have the old lighting. The benefits
include increased overhead safety, greater energy efficiency and higher illumination.
• At AHS, there are 30 -year-old HVAC units that need to be replaced with energy efficient units.
50 -year-old buildings need window replacements for energy efficiency.
Examine possible strategies/items that could help with water conservation in restrooms.
Discussion
Dr. Frost, Board members and key staff answered questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner
Frye stated that he appreciated the Asheboro City School Board's acceptance and understanding that the
Commissioners have to be fair when considering needs from both school systems.
Dr. Frost said that the next step would be the establishment of a Facilities Study Committee consisting
of members of both boards and staff from both County government and City Schools.
Adiournment
At 9:20 a.m., there being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
J. Harold Holmes, Chairman Darrell L. Frye
Phil Kemp
Arnold Lanier
Stan Haywood
Amanda Varner, Deputy Clerk to the Board