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3 <br />CY 2003 <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />PROPOSED GOAL <br />Prepared: 0211310 3 <br />SCHOOL MERGER IMPLICATIONS <br />OBJECTIVE 1: To examine the pros, cons, and other implications of a <br />potential merger of the Orange County Schools and the Chapel Hill- <br />Carrboro City Schools <br />TASK A:: County staff, in collaboration with school staffs, conducts an analysis of potential <br />school merger implications centered around five headings: Finance, Governance and <br />Implementation, Public Information/Education and Public Input, Educational/Student Impacts, <br />Other Impacts and Implications. Analysis will include, but not necessarily be limited to, an <br />examination of the pros and cons for each of the following topics: <br />Finance <br />1. A detailed analysis of the tax differential and impacts on all Orange County citizens created <br />by a possible merger <br />2. A proposed method for equalizing funding at the highest level of the two districts, including <br />the tax increase required for a possible merger <br />3. A review of the financial issues/impacts (both operating and capital) of a possible merger <br />on the County, school districts, and other entities <br />4. An analysis of what changes might be needed, and how much it would cost, to equalize <br />facilities for both districts <br />5. Review opportunities to equalize funding for both districts that do not include a possible <br />merger <br />Governance and Implementation <br />1. A potential implementation timetable that would be associated with a possible merger <br />2. A step by step process (including legal) to follow for a possible merger <br />3. A review of potential roles for the two school boards in the process to be followed for a <br />possible merger <br />4. A detailed analysis of the governance structure/who's in charge scenarios of a possible <br />merger <br />5. Review possible methods for electing a school board with a possible merger <br />6. A review of how the superintendent might be selected and what might happen to <br />employees in both districts in a possible merger <br />7. Timing of engagement of the State Board of Education <br />Public Information/Education and Public Input <br />1. An investigation of the both the truths and the fallacies of a possible merger <br />2. A detailed explanation of what a possible merger would do and what it would not do <br />3. Proposals to educate the public on the issues of a possible merger <br />4. Develop and detail specific proposals on how public opinion will be included during the <br />decision-making process related to a possible merger, including potential public hearings <br />5. Describe how a referendum on merger could be included in the decision-making process. <br />6. Review information and conclusions from the 1986 School Merger Study <br />7. Develop and detail specific ideas on potential public education efforts related to a possible <br />merger <br />