Schools to get money for land

Durham has plans for $4 million

DURHAM -- County commissioners moved Monday to give school officials nearly $4 million this spring to help the district secure land for future schools -- a commodity that's becoming harder to find and buy in key areas.

The money will become available in April or May, said County Manager Mike Ruffin, and will be part of a $12.1 million bond package the county plans to approve this month to help with pressing capital needs.

As schools grow overcrowded and development continues to thrive in the southern and eastern parts of the county, the time to buy land is now, Ruffin said.

"Any passing of time is our enemy," said Hugh Osteen, assistant superintendent of operations for Durham Public Schools. "Land is not being created, at least not around here."

About five years ago, when the school district bought land for Creekside Elementary School, the land cost $27,500 an acre, Ruffin said. Now land in southern Durham is selling for nearly four times as much.

Creekside has made the news this month because of dire overcrowding and possible expansion or reassignment plans to deal with it.

Other projects that will take a share of the $12.1 million include $4.95 million in renovations and repairs to county buildings. Those slated for improvements include the information technology department of the county administration building at 200 E. Main St.; the Criminal Justice Resource Center, also on Main Street; and an EMS station near Durham Regional Hospital. The Durham County Library's main branch will receive $500,000 to install a radio-frequency identification system to help with patron checkout and the tracking of library materials.

An additional $2.7 million will go to the Durham Public Schools to cover cost increases in a project to renovate and reopen the old Holton Middle School on Driver Street in East Durham. The county and city have entered a joint agreement to turn Holton into a vocational school and training center. After many delays, Osteen said, construction will begin in late summer, and the school should be ready for students in fall 2009.

The $12.1 million in financing comes through the county's issuing of two-thirds bonds, which don't require voter approval. The law allows county and municipal governments to issue bonds equal to two-thirds the amount of debt paid off by the government the previous year, Durham County Attorney Chuck Kitchen said.

The $12.1 million package could increase the tax rate by a quarter-cent to one-third cent, Ruffin said.