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107 <br /> <br /> Dr. Symons said that the 2000-2001 capital plan bas ~ approved by the School <br />Board, but approval ofprojects in future years has been delayed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hutchinson said tbat the School Board will be asked for $150,000 for initial <br />conceptual plans to address traffic and safety concerns identified as part of the safety <br />review. Mr. Hutchinson said tbat the Venable roof was scheduled to be replaced, bat not <br />one bid was submitted so they are reconsidering the design and will go back to bid next <br />year. I <br /> <br /> Mr. Toseano raised, concerns about the size of the "07" fund balance and <br />suggested tIat it be monitored so that a large balance is not created outside of the city <br />budget. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hutcbin.qon said tbat the road fronting Walker School, which is actually <br />School property, was identified as a safety concern during the safety review, as was the <br />road in from of Burnley-Moran School. Mr. Hutch~._son said the City will be involved as <br />will the public as the schools review options. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if other funds are available tbat could be used to address the safety <br />concerns about these roads. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards agreed that the schools should explore VDOT funds for the road <br />issues, and asked if the schools are required to provide a report regarding safety to the <br />state. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hutchinson said fl'at a consultant conducted the safety study and made a <br />report, which is considered a working document. A committee is meeting, composed of <br />City and School representatives, which will prioritize the recommendations and bring <br />them to the School Board. Mr. Hutchinson said that a number of things bave to be <br />addressed. A plm*t is needed to be put in place tbat addresses how the schools work <br />preventively with youngsters internally; staff training; and a communication system with <br />the police. Mr. Hutchinson said tbat the state requires a safety and security audit. <br />Preliminary recommendations are expected to be presented to the School Board in <br />August or September. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox noted tbat certain projects are not included in the capital budget, or <br />appear to have insufficient funding allocated, such as the pre-school program and Clark <br />School Playground. <br /> <br /> Ms. Linda Bowen, School Board member, said tbat the School Board has not <br />looked at a final site plan for the Clark School playground, and funding is only allocated <br />for Phase t. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hutchinson said tbat the Clark School playground project is a multi-phase <br />project, and noted that the initial concept may bave been too ambitious. Mr. Hutchinson <br />said tbat a community discussion is needed about fund raising for part of the project. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said tbat from a community perspective, the Clark School playground <br />improvements are seen as an enhancement, and he predicted tbat the community will <br />require it to be nice. Mr. Cox asked why the pr_e-school initiative, with a multi-milliOn <br />dollar expense, does not appear as a future expense. <br /> <br /> Dr. Symons said tbat there are many things the School Board has to face that are <br />not currently in the plan, and the Board needs to decide which items must be done and <br />which can be delayed. Dr. Symons said that before fihe School Board decides on the <br />solution of a new pre-school center, it needs to decide wbat is best. Dr. Symons said that <br />the reality is that with the City and School capital needs, there is not enough money to do <br />it all, and the School Board needs to put the money where it is most critically needed, and <br />priority must be on safety first. Dr. Symons said tbat no one wants to think about it, but <br />the pre-school program can be moved to the elementary schools and $7 million would not <br />need to be spent, <br /> <br /> <br />