Construction committee begins search for Carthage Elementary site; high-school capacity planning defined as district priority
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Summary
The board's construction committee reported hiring a real-estate agent to seek parcels for a replacement Carthage Elementary, discussed use of state lottery funds for land acquisition, and outlined a roadmap for a district-wide capital plan addressing high-school capacity and modernization.
The Moore County Schools construction committee told the board March 3 it has retained a commercial real-estate agent to search for possible parcels for a replacement Carthage Elementary School and has begun work to identify architects and timelines.
Committee members said the district has approximately $5.6 million in capital (state lottery) funds available that can be drawn down after county approvals; staff described a process in which the district would request funds from the county (applications are reviewed on a monthly schedule) so that funds can be available for earnest-money or purchase obligations. "We have enough money to pay cash for anticipated land uses purchases," a staff member said in committee.
The committee also outlined a broader roadmap to create a comprehensive 8–10 year capital plan that includes high-school capacity and modernization, phased projects priced and timed, public engagement and a presentation to county commissioners. Committee leaders said the objective is to produce a clear, phased plan so the public and elected officials can decide whether and how to fund a multi-project program that some participants have estimated could total in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Members emphasized coordination with the county's long-range land-use plan and town officials to maximize value from surplus sites and to avoid past errors in disposing of old school properties. The committee recommended producing detailed analyses of modernization options for Union Pines and Pinecrest — including the 2015 modernization studies as background — and to bring proposed courses of action and estimated price tags to the full board at a June work session for further refinement and county discussion.
Board members asked for more-ready materials and maps showing where students selected for the new Innovative High School live and asked staff to make the public-reporting materials available by email. Committee leaders said they would also examine interim smaller-scale projects that could be completed while larger projects are phased and funded.
No formal vote was taken. The board will receive committee briefings in May and June and expects to present a consolidated plan to county officials and the public for feedback before any funding requests are finalized.
