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18 <br /> <br /> Dr. Symons said that if the pre-school program is expanded, operating costs will <br />increase $300,000 per year. Dr. Symons explained that the School Board is now split on <br />whether a new school should be built, whether the program should be spread among <br />existing elementary schools, or whether grades should be realigned, thereby freeing up a <br />school for the pre-school program. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards asked if the Schools have considered a residency requirement to <br />keep someone from moving into the City to have access to the pre-school program, and <br />Dr. Symons said that has not been considered but it may need to be looked into. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Dr. Symons said that none of the schools <br />are easily adaptable for a pre-school, but Greenbrier comes the closest, though the <br />location is not ideal. Dr. Symons said that Walker or Buford would be a possibility if <br />grades are realigned. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that Council has been led to believe that the Schools will be having <br />major capital costs over the next few years, and asked the School Board if they had to <br />prioritize where would the pre-school program fall in the next ten years. <br /> <br /> Mr. Steve Campbell, School Board member, noted that the School Board has <br />talked about the need to renovate Jefferson School for years, and unless it is decided that <br />a pre-school is not wanted, he would favor putting fiands in another school Mr. <br />Campbell said that Jefferson School is a capital asset and could be used to tradeofffor a <br />new school. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she feels the driving force should be what are the benefits of <br />the pre-school program and its affect on student achievement. <br /> <br /> Dr. Symons said there would be some savings in operating one less building if a <br />decision is made not to build a new facility. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that the projections are for a reduced school population over <br />time, and said the question is what is the cost in the long-term for operating the schools. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if Charlottesville High School would need to be reconfigured to <br />accommodate the 8th grade if the decision was made to realign grades, and Ms. Olivia <br />Boykin, School Board member, said that an addition would be needed at CHS to keep the <br />8th grade separate from the rest of the school. <br /> <br /> Mr. Campbell noted that a new pre-school would not be built and operational for <br />two to four years if a decision was made today. <br /> <br /> Ms. Boykin asked if Councilors are saying that they may not agree to build a new <br />building for a pre-school program. <br /> <br /> Councilors replied that may be the case, but not that they have not yet discussed <br />the matter. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she is committed to a pre-school program. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he is interested in exploring reconfiguring schools. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty asked the School Board to keep Council advised as they continue <br />their discussion of the pre-school program. <br /> <br /> The meeting was adjourned. <br />Preside~-'~-~ /~ a~-v~ <br /> <br /> <br />