School Board CIP Work Session #2 - Consider Accelerating Wakefield Project -- with limitations

EVENT: School Board CIP Work Session #2, 5/13/08

SUMMARY: School Board met to review various questions raised from Work Session #1. Much of the discussion evolved around the Wakefield project. 3 scenarios -- A, B & C -- were reviewed. Scenario B (we call it "Acceleration of Wakefield Bonds") moves Wakefield planning up into the 2008 Bond and full construction of $156M into 2010 Bond. However, construction start is still in 2013 due to County Board constraints.

What do we want? Scenario B with 2 caveats:

1) Consider how to accelerate the Wakefield construction start date. This may take more time and collaboration with the County Board -- since actual construction is dependent on their debt service limitations.

2) The 2012 bond cycle has no bond, which impacts our other school communities in the queue. We do not want to see the bi-annual bond cycle altered, as this is important to a strong and consistent overall CIP strategy.

ACTION
See info at right to come speak or email the School Board in support of Scenario B with 2 caveats noted above. We believe your voices are important. School Board email is schoolbd@arlington.k12.va.us.

DETAILS
Following are the 3 scenarios the School Board discussed in Work Session #2, plus considerations. Note: We gave the "names" in quotations for contextual reference.

Scenario A - "Original Proposal" -- Maintain Wakefield planning in 2010 Bond and full construction of $156M in 2012 Bond. Construction to begin in 2013, lasting ~4 years. Meets budgetary constraints of the County Board.

Scenario B - "Acceleration of Wakefield Bonds" -- Move Wakefield planning up into 2008 Bond and full construction of $156M into 2010 Bond. Construction start is still in 2013 due to County Board constraints.

Scenario C - "Acceleration of Wakefield & Thomas Jefferson" -- Move up Wakefield funding as noted above, plus bump up TJ funding to allow for progress on their capital needs (which are significant). This scenario violates the debt service ceilings set by the County Board.