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78 <br /> <br /> Following the luncheon, Council and the School Board discussed the Greenbrier <br />Elementary School renovation project. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gary O'Connell explained that the bid for the renovation was $590,000 over budget <br />and the following options are available: delay the project completely; reduce the scope of the <br />project; do a portion of the renovation a year later; and find additional funding. Mr. <br />O'Connell said staff recommend that contingency funds in the capital improvement budget <br />plus some existing funding for school projects be used to complete the project. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever asked about the implications of the recommendation, and Mr. O'Connell <br />replied that the contingency funds would be taken out of the 1996/97 capital budget and very <br />little if any money would remain for other projects, especially Washington Park, which would <br />need to be put on hold. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked if the proposal includes a contribution from the school budget out <br />of additional state funding they will receive that was not included in the school's budget, <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said the current proposal only includes transferring approximately <br />$40,000 to $50,000 from a school parking fund. <br /> <br /> Dr. Dorothea Shannon, Superintendent of Schools, said that some state money is <br />designated for maintenance of existing buildings and no large sum of money has been <br />identified as being available next year for this purpose. <br /> <br /> Dr. Robert Bloodgood and Ms. Linda Bowen, School Board members, said they had <br />hoped to use the additional state funding for teacher salaries. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards questioned what the difference is between ongoing maintenance and <br />maintenance of the Greenbrier facility, and how the state defines such maintenance that <br />would restrict its use. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty said she understands that $50,000 budgeted for overtime for the project <br />may not be necessary, but it was pointed out that overtime may be necessary to complete the <br />project over the summer. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said his concern is where to find the money for the project. Mr. Toscano <br />said he thinks there is justification for getting the project done, but it is up to the Council and <br />School Board to find the funds, and he feels the School Board should try and squeeze their <br />budget to find some money for the renovation. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards said he also feels that the School Board should try and find some money, <br />bm he will still support the project if they are not able to find the funds. <br /> Ms. Bowen said she is willing to look at using some of the additional state funding for <br />the project. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever agreed with the recommendation that the School Board look to find <br /> some funding since there are many other City needs. <br /> <br /> Ms. Olivia Boykin, School Board member, agreed that the School Board needs to <br /> revisit the issue of the additional state funding and do its part in funding the project. <br /> <br /> It was agreed that the appropriation would be considered by Council at a special <br />meeting scheduled for April 22nd. <br /> <br /> The meeting was adjourned. <br />President <br /> <br /> <br />