Presentation to the. September 14, (Previous BOE Presentation - December 17, 2009)

Transcription

1 Autism Wings Presentation to the Guilford County Board of Education September 14, 2010 (Previous BOE Presentation - December 17, 2009)

2 Primary Goals for Autism Wings 1. Provide services closer to home 2. Reduce travel time/bus transportationt ti 3. Provide better quality facilities to support autism services and therapies 4. Ensure that GCS is prepared to meet anticipated growth in student population Growth could top 170 students by Growth likely to continue Annual growth rate since 2008 = approximately 15.5 percent

3 Concerns 1. Two proposed locations don t align with where majority of students live 2. Original plan doesn t provide for a principal 3. Small size makes grouping students for instruction problematic 4. Doesn t address McIver facility concerns

4 Proposed Change Original plan: 3 new autism wings plus continued use of McIver Ragsdale New airport area high school New southeast area elementary school Proposed plan: 2 new autism sites Ragsdale Yet-to-be determined site Possibly McIver (renovate or new stand-alone)

5 Rationale Places wings closer to where students live Provides better opportunities for student t groupings Provides other instructional/programmatic advantages More adequately addresses growth in better quality facilities Original plan: 48 seats x 3 sites = 144 seats Proposed plan: 100 to 120 seats x 2 sites = 200 to 240 seats Increases likelihood state will allocate a principal More efficient, effective use of taxpayer dollars

6 Other Issues to Consider Increase in seats may require additional dollars Least Restrictive ti Environment (LRE) concerns Allocation of principal not guaranteed Possible impact on construction schedule for RHS Additional costs for redesign of RHS Possible impact on student transportation times Voter and parent concerns

7 Update September 14, 2010

8 Site Selection Second Site Board approved to consolidate the three autism wings to two sites: Ragsdale High and another site to be determined on December 17, Study completed by Efird Sutphin Pearce Architects and Planners July 1, Compared potential sites at Dudley, McIver, and Hairston/Falkener Campus.

9 Site Selection Second Site Each of the sites evaluated using the following criteria: Ability to accommodate physical building requirements Limitations on placement of building due to regulatory site requirements Ease of separated bus and vehicle drop off areas Access to site utilities Zoning Topography Limitations of site development based on environmental features Ability to provide safe and secure environment during construction for students and faculty Opportunities for inclusion

10 Site Selection Second Site Hairston/Falkener ranked highest by comparison Hairston/Falkener recommended by Building Advisory Team on August 11, 2010 meeting New Driveway Entering From Oferrell Street

11 Rationale for Hairston/Falkener Acceptable geographic location to meet requirements developed by Exceptional Children Department Opportunities for inclusion with existing elementary and existing middle school programs Ability of site to accommodate the physical building requirements Building placement will easily accommodate safe and secure areas for students with special needs Separate entrance for vehicular and bus access Building site requires minimal grading, new entrance drive makes use of existing easement, (additional grading will be required)

12 Questions/Comments McIver Hairston/Falkener Ragsdale Autism Wing 2010/11 McIver Enrollment (10 th Day) 128 students

13 Budget Ragsdale Site (Designed) 51,288 sq.ft. 2 story facility 102 students 17 classrooms Hairston/Falkener Site (Proposed) 51,500 sq.ft. 2 story facility 102 Students 17 classrooms Modified 2008 Bond Autism Projects 102,788 sq.ft. 204 students 34 classrooms Original 2008 Bond Autism Projects 87, sq.ft. (3 29, sq.ft.) 144 students (3 48 students) 24 classrooms (3 8 classrooms) Ragsdale HS Autism Wing $ 8,505,330 Southeast Area ES Autism Wing $ 8,438,515 Airport Area HS Autism Wing $ 8,498,171 Total l(includes land acquisition iiti and Inflation) $ 25,442,016 Funds Required to Increase size of Ragsdale $ 5,433,491 Total Ragsdale Budget $ 13,938,821 Remaining Funds from Southeast and Airport $ 11,503,195 Hairston/Falkener Site Architect's Anticipated Construction Costs $ 8,783,152 Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment, and Technology $ 1,045, Additional Design and Management $ 234,540 Soft Costs, Testing, Surveys, Printing, etc. $ 781,799 $ 10,844,607 Inflation as applied to 2008 Bond Projects $ 2,094,365 $ 12,938,972 Potential Budget Shortfall $ 1,435,777

14 Next Steps Board Consideration/Approval of : Hairston/Falkener Site for Second Autism Wing Elimination of the Airport Area HS Autism Wing (transfer $5,433,491 budget to Ragsdale HS Autism Wing; transfer balance of $3,064, budget to Hairston/Falkener) Elimination of the SE Area Elementary Autism Wing (transfer $8,438,515 budget to Hairston/Falkener) Identify additional bond funds for Hairston/Falkener Site in the amount of $1,435,777 Change order to Moseley Architects for additional design services at Ragsdale Autism Wing in the amount of $195,690