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Mr. O'Connell said the original approach was that the development of the site <br />would pay for the pre-school, but that has not worked out. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he feels the ball is in the School Board's court about the location of <br />the School Board, and if keeping the pre-school at Jefferson is their priority, they need to <br />say that, but to date that is not what Council has heard from them. Mr. Cox said the <br />deciding factor is whether keeping the pre-school in one site is a priority for the School <br />Board, and if so, are they willing to make a sacrifice to make it happen. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati noted that the last School Board vote was for a single site in the <br />City, not at Jefferson School. <br /> <br /> Ms. Olivia Boykin, School Board member, said she wants the pre-school to <br />remain at Jefferson. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati expressed concern that the Council has gotten mixed signals from <br />the School Board about the issue. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch noted that the pre-school currently occupies 15,000 square feet of <br />space, not the 35,000 that is being sought. <br /> <br /> Mr. John Santoski, School Board member, said the question has been how to keep <br />the pre-school and not make sacrifices, but noted that sacrifices may need to be made. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said it is a question of priorities. He said he fees Council has been <br />generous to the schools regarding capital funds, with 30% to 40% of the capital budget <br />each year dedicated to school projects. Mr. Toscano said that the City and schools have a <br />lot of needs, and if the decision is made that the pre-school is a priority, then something <br />has to give as he is highly doubtful that the City can come up with more money. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that the proposed guiding principles are not far off what the <br />community wants, except for education oriented activities. He said it may be reasonable <br />to say that some economic development funs go into the pre-school component. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he feels the City may be able to come to the table with one-third if <br />the schools come up with one-third to support keeping a central facility. Mr. Cox asked <br />how the different parties could do this if the cost is $6 million. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he feels everything needs to be kept on the table, including the <br />closing of an elementary school. <br /> <br /> Mr. Merriwether said he hopes the School Board can make a decision at their <br />upcoming retreat. <br /> <br /> Ms. Julie Gronlund, School Board member, said she does not feel that the School <br />Board is prepared to come t a conclusion at their retreat, and feels they needs more <br />information and need to know the implications of loading up the elementary schools. She <br />said she would tike to see a cost analysis of the $6 million proposed to renovate Jefferson <br />School. <br /> <br /> <br />