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197 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Friday, November 16, 2001 AT 12:00 noon AT Jefferson School, 4t~ Street, N.W. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Luncheon meeting with School Board BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox (signed) JEFFERSON SCHOOL - November 16, 2001 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Toscano. Absent: Ms. Richards. Mr. Caravati said that the topic of the meeting, future uses of Jefferson School, will also be the subject of a public hearing at Council's November 19th Council meeting. Mr. Caravati said that Council can presumably move forward with a request for proposals (RFP) following the public hearing. Ms. Nancy Gerke and Ms. Anne Dublier, staff of the Jefferson Pre-School program, reviewed the changes in staff, resources and programs for the program since 1995. Mr. Richard Merriwether, Chairman of the School Board, said that the School Board voted not to spend any more money on Jefferson School, and the School Board needs answers from City Council as to where they stand on this issue. Mr. Merriwether said legal counsel to the School Board advised them to turn the building over to the City, with the expectation that proceeds of any deal will be returned to the School Board. Mr. Merriwether asked about the status of the RFP, asked if there is any money for a facility for the pre-school, and if there is any land available. Mr. Merriwether said the Board has been informed that maintenance problems at Jefferson School may need to be taken care of in the near future. He said that the Superintendent and staff have come up with a viable plan for relocation of the pre-school program, but he is concerned that once the children are moved out of the building into the elementary schools they will never return to a single location. ' Mr. Ron Hutchinson, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, said that given the uncertainty about Jefferson School, the Superintendent and staff felt it was prudent to work on a contingency plan in case the pre-school needs to be relocated. Thirteen classrooms are used now at Jefferson, five for special education and eight for the four- year old pre-school program. It is felt that the existing program can be housed in the six elementary schools. Some expense will be involved in the relocation, but it is felt to be minimal in many respects. Other programs housed at Jefferson, maintenance and food service can be relocated to City Yard and Charlottesville High School. They are working on locations for CLASS and school out-of-school suspension center, but they do not feel that w~l be a problem. The total anticipated cost to relocate is between $300,000 and $400,000, but $200,000 in ongoing savings as a result of reduced staff and energy cost is expected to be recouped. Mr. Hutchinson said that Adult Education and EvenStart are not included in the relocation plan, and locations for those are still being explored. Mr. Hutchinson said the elementary school principals have assured that they welcome the opportunity to have the programs in their buildings, though it will not be the same program. Mr. Hutchinson said the question remains about whether the schools and community have the money to put into renovating Jefferson School. Mr, Caravati asked if the School Board has looked for a location for a single site recently, and Mr. Hutchinson said they have spoken with Aubrey Watts, Economic Development Director for the City, and he has not been able to locate space they feel is viable, which includes a 35,000 square foot building and enough land to meet education requirements.