At a Nov. 7 meeting, the Moore County Board of Commissioners voted to release $996,909 from the $1,001,222 in unexpended bonds being held by the county.
The bonds represent the final money left from a bond issue approved by voters in 1997.
School Superintendent Susan Purser said that each school has a system to alert students and personnel of a fire, but in recent years standards have changed and the schools need an upgraded system to make such alarms more uniform and understandable.
“It is time for us to upgrade the system,” Purser said.
County Manager Steve Wyatt told the board that the county has the potential of receiving a federal Homeland Security Grant to offset part of this expense. He said the administration has identified security and fire alarm needs that would cost $625,485 to address and might be eligible for a federal grant.
Wyatt said the county staff and the schools’ staff have developed a grant application for submission to Homeland Security. If this source of funding comes through, the grant could be used to offset the cost of the security upgrade, leaving the bond money for other capital improvements.
“We feel very good that our children are very safe here in Moore County,” said Board Chairman David J. Cummings in supporting the schools’ request.
Although the board agreed to support the request, the two votes were not unanimous.
A substitute motion by Commissioner Tim Lea failed 3-2 with Commissioner Colin McKenzie agreeing with Lea that the motion should make provision for the Homeland Security grant if it is approved.
Lea cast the dissenting vote when the board returned to the original motion made by Commissioner Virginia W. Saunders to approve the schools’ request. On that vote McKenzie voted with the majority.
In response to an administration question, Wyatt said that the county could work out the differences if the grant is received.
The capital needs list shows a cost of $316,000 for installation of motion detection systems for administrative areas, media centers and computer rooms in specified schools and installation of surveillance cameras in such places as bus drop-off areas, main entries and connecting hallways as well as surveillance cameras in parking and assembly areas.
Upgraded fire alarms are to be installed at four schools where new standards are not presently met. This will cost another $308,985.
The schools also asked for $229,420 to add ramps at four schools and a restroom at another school to bring them up to standard on accessibility needs. The remaining money is needed for drainage improvements and other improvements to meet such things as site conditions and exterior door standards.
Purser said she expects the master plan for capital needs to be complete by the end of this year. At that time, she will ask for a joint meeting of the commissioners and the Board of Education.
Florence Gilkeson can be reached at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.
