But a new law this year approved by the General Assembly<\/a> changes the open bidding process to increase competition for the construction services associated with public Commissioner Tony Gurley said the agreement complies with the current state laws and is aimed at improving the school board’s bidding process for construction projects. Wake County voters recently approved an $810 million school construction bond. Gurley said having two boards working together would ensure better use of those taxpayer dollars. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is not asking for any new legislative authority,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is simply a request to engage the school system under current legislative authority to allow the County Commissioners to cooperate with this program. Our responsibility to the taxpayer is to get the most value from their money.\u201d<\/p>\n Under the agreement, \u201cthe school board shall give due consideration to requesting the county by resolution to assume responsibility for some or all of the owning, siting, acquiring, constructing, equipping, expanding, improving, repairing, and renovating the property.\u201d<\/p>\n In turn, Gurley said the county would limit participation to requests from the school board. <\/p>\n Ward and Sullivan asked to table the agreement, but Commissioner Paul Coble disagreed.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think we have the luxury of waiting three or four months to look at this and we\u2019re not driving the timeline, the school board is,\u201d said Coble. \u201cThey put out an RFP on Nov. 8 for four or five new schools to be done in a particular process and, frankly, as one of the speakers earlier today pointed out, it does not follow the spirit of the [state] law.\u201d<\/p>\n Commissioners are asking that the school board vote on the interlocal agreement at its Dec. 17 meeting and certify that they are in compliance with current construction bidding laws. The Wake County School board agenda for Dec. 17 has not yet been released. <\/p>\n School board member Susan Evans said she does not know whether the item will be put on an upcoming agenda. Career and Technical High School Updates<\/strong> Wake County Public Schools will partner with Wake Tech Community College to create the academy, which will give graduates a high school diploma and career training.<\/p>\n Vernon Malone worked in education for 34 years, serving as a teacher, superintendent and board member. He died in 2009.<\/p>\n
\nbuildings. <\/p>\n
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\n“We have not had any formal discussions about this as a Board, as we have not met since the County Commissioners revealed this proposed agreement. I have yet to see a copy of the actual document,\u201d she said. \u201cThe Superintendent along with the Board Chairman and our Board attorneys are gathering information on this and will be responsible for deciding whether or when this item comes before the Board.”<\/p>\n
\nWake County’s new career and technical high school<\/a> will be named the Vernon Malone College and Career Academy. <\/p>\n
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