Lots of ideas, but no solution to school construction woes
Thursday, August 31st, 2006
By Chris Fitzsimon
By Amanda Karr
The Daily Reflector
RALEIGH — About 100 officials from Pitt and 35 other counties spent Wednesday figuring out how to fund new school construction without raising property taxes.
The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners sponsored a forum showing how some counties are tackling the issue, including delaying new housing developments and sharing facilities with other agencies.
"Virtually every jurisdiction has this issue, whether small counties that need to repair aging buildings or fast growing counties with an aggressive school building plan," said Paul Meyer, assistant general counsel for the association.
"With close to 300 million (dollars) in capital construction needs any ideas are welcome," said Pitt County Manager Scott Elliott, who attended the meeting with Melonie Bryan, deputy manager for finance.
Pitt County Schools and Pitt Community College estimate combined capital needs of nearly $300 million over the next 10-15 years. County officials wanted to fund part of those needs with a half-cent sales tax, but a bill allowing a local vote on the proposal died in the Senate in July.
North Carolina school boards have identified $9.7 billion in needs over the next five years, according to a report on public school facility needs compiled by the Department of Public Instruction earlier this year. Pitt County lists $185 million in expected construction, renovations, furnishings and land costs.
"Everyone’s No. 1 issue is funding and coming up with that revenue source," Bryan said after Wednesday’s forum. (more…)
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