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Frequently Asked Questions about the Proposed New Bertie High School to the Bertie County Board of Commissioners and its Answers

What is the $300,000 outlined in the capital project ordinance for the proposed new high school to be used for in this project?
This money was set aside for preconstruction expenses arising from this project including permits, inspections, legal fees, and other upfront costs and expenses.  Any unspent money once the project begins will be spent on this project.  Should the project not come to fruition, any unspent money will be returned to the General Fund.

What is the cost on remodeling existing school?

In a letter from John Sinnett, AIA dated June 21, 2012, he estimates the costs of remodeling older buildings are between 75% and 80% of the costs of new construction. Assuming his estimates are correct and the costs of a new school are approximately $20,000,000.00, then the costs of remodeling would be between $15,000,000.00 and $16,000,000.00.

Why have you considered the site beside the middle school to build a new high school?

This site was originally selected by Superintendent John F. Smith, Jr. and the then duly constituted School Broad who, at least as early as the year 2000, had been negotiating to purchase this tract for approximately $5,500.00 per acre. At a closed session meeting of the Bertie County Commissioners and the Bertie County Board of Education held on October 1, 2001, the Bertie County Commissioners were requested by the Board of Education to acquire this tract at fair market value. After the tract was acquired during a condemnation proceeding along with an adjacent tract by the County, which was originally to be used as a site for the Bertie County Park, and after the tract had been clear cut before any environmental permits and wetland surveys had been performed, both the Bertie County Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education considered other tracts of land upon which to build a high school. As the current proposed site is already owned by Bertie County and is in proximity to the current Bertie High School athletic fields and facilities, the Commissioners have determined that this site has been reviewed and determined to be a suitable site. 

What changed in Bertie County to make building a school more affordable in 2012 than it would have been in 2009?

This Board of  Commissioners and its predecessors have supported building a new high school since at least  June 1999 when consideration of the issuance of  general obligation bonds in the amount of  $6,750,000.00 was undertaken, which with other available monies of $12,600,000.00 was to be used to construct a new high school. For various reasons, this money was ultimately used for other purposes and a high school was not built. On June 21, 2004 John F. Smith, Jr., Superintendent, on behalf of his Board rescinded the request to build a new high school because of the financial hardship to the County and requested a new middle school be built.   However, a new high school has been discussed by the Board of Commissioners and the Board or Education over the past decade.

When the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education began more intense discussions of this project recently, construction costs were low and interest rates were at or near all time lows.  QSCB funds were available, had to be applied for, and have now been awarded in the amount of $18,030,000.00. In discussing the matter with the financial advisors for the County, it was decided that this was the best time to try to move forward with such a project.  Construction costs are beginning to rise again.  Possibly interest rates could rise again as well. 

Is there any opportunity to reopen the discussion with Republic Services?

There is always the possibility of representatives going back to the table to negotiate; however, the Bertie County Board of Commissioners will not agree to any terms that the Board feels are not in the best interest of Bertie County citizens, specifically including the importation of significant amounts of out of state trash which has been of particular concern to every Board of Commissioners since the landfill was sited in Bertie County and would have to be given great and detailed thought. Also negotiations require interest by both parties and no recent contact has been initiated by either party.

If a tax increase is necessary to pay for the construction of a new school, once the facility is paid for, will the tax rate be lowered?

That is a decision the Board of Commissioners serving at that time will have to make based on an analysis of the tax rate needed to provide services to the citizens of Bertie County at that time.