County commissioners have shot down another land deal for a new school.
As noted in today's article by Michael Biesecker, commissioners voted 4-3 on Monday to turn down a $5.1 million high school and elementary school site north of Raleigh. A majority of the commissioners were unhappy about the estimated $2 million added cost for clearing the rocky land.
"Other than the Hope Diamond, I don't know many people who are going to pay that much for a rock," said Commissioner Paul Coble in the article.
Over the past year, commissioners have refused to back several sites brought by the school board. It's one of the reasons why it's been suggested that commissioners take over purchase of school sites.
As for the latest site, commissioners didn't buy the argument from Betty Parker, the school district's real estate director, that other nearby sites would have a similar risk of having rocky land.
""With those other sites, rock is a risk," Commissioner Tony Gurley said in the article. "Here, it is an absolute certainty."
But what was the difference was that Democratic Commissioner Lindy Brown proved to the swing vote against the deal. She cited e-mails from residents urging the commissioners to be more accountable with taxpayer money.
Commissioners had raised objections last month when the site was brought up for an initial vote.
Don't be surprised if there's some griping at today's school board meeting.
Comments
How Does Radon Get Into Your Home?
Wed, 08/06/2008 - 12:35 — bigwinniehttp://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html
How Does Radon Get Into Your Home?
Any home may have a radon problem
Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.
Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water (see "Radon in Water" below). In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.
RADON GETS IN THROUGH:
Cracks in solid floors
Construction joints
Cracks in walls
Gaps in suspended floors
Gaps around service pipes
Cavities inside walls
The water supply
Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your state. Contact your state radon office for general information about radon in your area. While radon problems may be more common in some areas, any home may have a problem. The only way to know about your home is to test.
Radon can also be a problem in schools and workplaces. Ask your state radon office about radon problems in schools, daycare and childcare facilities, and workplaces in your area.
where radon comes from
Wed, 08/06/2008 - 17:04 — Forget_not_the_...The Decay Chain of Radon: Radon originates from Uranium-238 which naturally occurs in most types of granite and soil in varying degrees.
Georgia is known for its granite, but this beautiful resource also may contain radon, a gas that kills more than 600 Georgians each year. http://www.solidsurfacealliance.org/files/2774.pdf
Question?
Wed, 08/06/2008 - 12:10 — Forget_not_the_...Doesn't granite emit radon gas?
County Commission & Wake County School Board
Tue, 08/05/2008 - 19:03 — Tim (not verified)Why does the school board keep looking for the perfect location for these schools. They want a new high school in the north section of the county. Does it really matter where the school is located when the school board will bus the kids there anyway? The perfect locations would be where the population is and have those kids go to those schools. Oh that's right, the school board doesn't care how close you are to a school, they'll bus you across town anyway. Think of the millions of dollars being wasted in busing.
NOT AGAIN!
Tue, 08/05/2008 - 15:18 — g88ky07We'll have to convert 18.3 more schools to unnecessary Malicious Year Round now and then be lied to about it repeatedly later.
Oh No, WHAT WILL WE DOoooooooooooooooooooo........................??
I KNOW, NOT vote for any future bonds!!!!!
What Say You FOWC?????
And never forget......
Tue, 08/05/2008 - 11:13 — WuptdoNever forget how many of those developers/real estate types are "Friends of Wake County." Geez, didn't anyone at least walk the property?
Oh well, lets all give the WCC's a round of applauds for watching the people's money. I think many of them would appreciate an e-mail of thanks, for an otherwise thankless job.
commissioners@co.wake.nc.us
To the School Board(eR)/WCPSS Management: Shame on you, again!
and yet she STILL gets to
Tue, 08/05/2008 - 10:37 — bigwinnieand yet she STILL gets to keep her job?! how does this happen?
Here's their chance
Tue, 08/05/2008 - 09:58 — Anonymous (not verified)Here's the CC's chance to show they can do better than the WCPSS. Instead of just shooting down whatever land puchase proposals the WCPSS makes, why not present their own alternative.
There are SOOO many vacant parcels that this should be a trivial exercise for the mighty CCs. All they need to do is find a tract of land which:
- is of sufficient size to meet all the space requirements of the city and the county
- that is located close to current and future subdivisions
- that can take advantage of one of the prototype designs
- that doesn't require too much grading and site prep
- that doesn't require too many road changes
- that won't meet opposition from mayors or neighbors
- etc. (See the CFAC report for an idea of the challenge.)
These private schools pop up everyplace without such problems, so it should be easy. Come on CC's. Show us you can do a better job.
Or shut up and let the school system buy the land and build schools while the economy is slow.
- that is located close
Wed, 08/06/2008 - 09:36 — NWRaleighMom- that is located close to current and future subdivisions
Why bother? Kids from these subdivisions would go to 6 different schools anyway...
Pfft.
Tue, 08/05/2008 - 10:27 — Bob_SconceWell, that's funny -- the Commissioners have long been trying to wrest that job from the District.
Look at what happened here:
(1) School District picks site, signs contract.
(2) School District examines lot, finds a 20' granite cliff that, clearly, is going to take a lot of money to remove.
(3) School District shrugs its shoulders, says "well, there's a lot of rocky land up here, and besides the seller (a real estate developer, selling in a down market) told us that they wouldn't sell for less."
(4) School District goes to the Commissioners asking for permission.
That's not very convincing. It's no wonder the Commissioners want to take over land acquisition and construction.
Also, remember what happened the last time the Commissioners turned down a contract -- the district went back to the land owner (who had also said that they wouldn't go lower) and got a better deal.