First School proposed

An addition to Seawell Elementary School that would house a proposed First School program could become the first of Carolina North.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education will look at plans for the addition during a work session at their Thursday meeting. The addition would provide space for 214 students, including a First School facility for 100 pre-kindergarten students. The university owns the land where the addition would be located and would share 25 percent of the project costs, which are estimated at $30 million.

The board has already approved the opening of a First School at Carrboro Elementary School for the fall of 2008.

New program

In an effort to combat underage drinking, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education is scheduled to review on Thursday a new program that would educate students on the hazards of binge drinking and promote a positive school culture.

The board is considering an application for a Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant, which would fund the program. The program would focus on four interventions, including social norms, brain biology and medical awareness, legal consequences and educational consequences.

The three-year, $760,000 grant would fund three staff positions for the program, including a project director, a health educator and a clerical support person.

Agenda

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board meets Thursday at 6 p.m. in closed session and at 7 p.m. for their regular meeting at the Lincoln Center at 750 S. Merritt Mill Rd. The top item on the agenda this week is the proposed redistricting plan for Elementary School No. 10.
Items on the agenda include:

Consent Agenda

• Recommendation for Approval of the 2007-08 Hospital School Calendar
• Recommendation for Approval of Policy 4351: Short-Term Suspension

Discussion and Action Agenda

• Recommendation for Approval of Amended SIP for ECHHS
• Recommendation for Approval of Redistricting Recommendations

Work Session

• Proposal for First School at Seawell
• SuperintendentÕs Recommended Budget for 2007-08