GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1997 SESSION

S.L. 1997-37
HOUSE BILL 740

AN ACT TO ASSIST THE JOHNSTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION WITH THE EXPEDITING OF PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Whereas, Johnston County is faced with the critical need for school facilities created by an unusual growth in student population; and
Whereas, the Johnston County Board of Education and the Johnston County Board of Commissioners have jointly approved and funded a School Facilities 2000 building program; and
Whereas, the Johnston County Board of Education, faced with the critical need for school facilities, has implemented a model facilities plan using the Unitary System Approach (USA)	to design school facilities that are educationally effective and economically efficient; and
Whereas, the Johnston County Board of Education has competitively bid the USA school design under the separate prime bid laws of North Carolina and has developed certain cost parameters based on this USA concept; and
Whereas, the Johnston County Board of Education desires to explore alternative approaches to expedite the construction of school facilities that could assist in meeting the critical need for school facilities; and
Whereas, the General Assembly reaffirms its commitment to enhance public education and to encourage innovation by public officials in meeting the critical need for school facilities; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 8 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, the Johnston County Board of Education may select and negotiate with separate prime contractors to build the Unitary System Approach (USA) model school plan if the Johnston County Board of Education determines that using the selection and negotiations processes instead of competitive bidding will expedite the project, create an effective construction team, and control costs, quality, and schedule.
Section 2.  This act shall apply to construction of an elementary school at McGee's Crossroads, an elementary school in Benson, and an elementary/middle school in West Johnson County.  The Johnson County Board of Education shall report to the General Assembly the net price per square foot for each project at the completion of each project.
Section 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law and expires on June 30, 2000.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 24th day of April, 1997.

s/	Dennis A. Wicker
President of the Senate

	s/	Harold J. Brubaker
Speaker of the House of Representatives