11/6/1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOV 6 1985 BOOK 62 FAcc 600 Commissioner Scurlock noted that the Head Start Prodram has a dramatic effect on the education of the young people in the community, and he, therefore, felt the school system should consider participating in some way. Commissioner Bowman agreed on the importance of the Head Start Program, but stated that she would not like to see the School Board take over that program or even contribute to it as she did not want them to have any strings on the funds for that program. Chairman Lyons commented that he has heard three Board members state that they are not interested in talking to the D.O.C. and one has stated that he wants to hear from the Housing Authority. Commissioner Bowman stated that she would like to hear from the Housing Authority also. The Chairman suggested the Board hear from those interested in Douglas School in the order listed in the Administrator's memo, but Mr. Edwards of the E.O.C. requested that the Housing Authority be allowed to make their presentation first. Daphne Strickland came before the Board representing the Housing Authority. She noted that these buildings originally were put up for a school and naturally that is their best use, but they are deteriorating because of the abandonment and vandalism. Mrs. Strickland informed the Board that the County is now eligible for funding from a Community Development Block Grant up to $650,000. The Housing Authority feels that for $550,000, they could change the 10 classrooms into ten two bedroom apart- ments, put five one bedroom apartments and one two bedroom apartment in the original building, and use the cafeteria for a community center. If they went for the maximum grant of $650,000, they could put in $100,000 for a fire station on the area designated for a fire station. Mrs. Strickland noted that neither Community Development nor HUD ever has converted a school of any kind in this state, and they both have been approached and 64