Board requests $1.95 million in capital lottery funds for new Carthage Elementary land purchase and planning

Moore County Schools voted May 12 to request $1,950,000 in capital lottery funds to support a new Carthage Elementary project, contingent on Moore County commissioners' approval May 20.

Miss Purvis told the board the district has not used lottery funds in several years and currently has about $5,956,544 in its capital lottery account. The board request covers two purposes: $550,000 toward land purchase and $1,400,000 for planning and design services. Staff said lottery draws are "no harm" — unused funds can be returned and additional funds can be requested if necessary.

Miss Purvis described the land estimate as based on recent local land prices of roughly $8,000 to $13,000 per acre; $550,000 could underwrite the purchase of approximately 42 acres depending on parcel size and suitability. For planning and design, staff said $1,400,000 was a conservative starting point based on prior projects and that the district is asking architectural firms to present prototypes to expedite the process and control costs. She said planning costs include wetlands and land studies in addition to architect fees and that historically architect fees have sometimes been a percentage of total project value.

A motion to approve the request for $1,950,000 in lottery funds contingent on board of commissioners approval was made by Miss Davis and seconded by Mister Johnson; the motion carried by voice vote.

Board members discussed whether design fees would be a flat rate or percentage and noted previous planning totals ranged from $1.4 million to $2.8 million on past schools. Staff said the $1.4 million figure includes anticipated land studies and other preconstruction work and that additional requests may be made if costs exceed the draw.