Minutes - 20040921 - Laserfiche WebLink

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school system and the committee went into the process and produced a design reflecting the guidelines given; some of the costs have been affected by rising costs of materials; the availability for emergency preparedness at this school (emergency generators, access to the community for a shelter); the high schools are overcrowded. Item 10-a was moved to 9-a1. a1. Parameters for Possible School Efficiency Study The Board received a report from staff on efficiency measures implemented to date by the Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Systems and to discuss possible next steps related to school efficiency and provide direction to the Manager and Staff. John Link said this item is a report from staff on efficiency measures already pursued by both school systems. This relates to one of the initiatives that the Board wanted to pursue and analyze this year. About a year ago, there was a presentation on the Analysis of Potential Impacts Resulting from a Possible Merger of the Two School Systems. There were three public hearings in the fall, and after the three public hearings, the Board determined to pursue three elements of further analysis and discussion prior to discussing merger or funding equity further. The first element was collaboration between the two school systems. This has been facilitated through a number of meetings already. Secondly, there was a pursuit of assessing the educational excellence, specifically examining the educational programming provided by both school systems. This assessment has been contracted between the County and UNC's School of Education. This should be finished by late fall. Thirdly, which is tonight's item, was to examine haw greater operational efficiency might be achieved in both school systems. He said that he met with school superintendents in August. The summary of what has already been achieved in the way of efficiency is provided as part of the agenda materials. Recently, Chair Jacobs and Commissioner Halkiotis and County staff met with a private CPA, Bob Segal, who has worked with the school systems in the past in achieving efficiencies and economies. There is discussion about Mr. Segal returning to help both school systems and the County look at additional elements of efficiency. This could be a topic for the scheduled meeting between the County Commissioners and the two school boards. Chair Jacobs thanked Commissioner Halkiotis. He said that they talked about how to do this study in acost-effective manner. The County does already have a relationship with Mr. Segal. He said that this was essentially a County Commissioners' initiative and they look at it as another collaborative effort with the school systems. He said that they have isolated where a study was done with the Chamber of Commerce working with a school system in Greenville, South Carolina. Commissioner Gordon said that Mr. Segal is a hands-on person and he was staffing his own booth at the NCACC. She said that there is no reason not to go with him since he has worked with Orange County before. She asked if this should be bid out. She also asked about next steps and what the scope of work would be and what would be given to Mr. Segal. John Link said that Mr. Segal would be willing to attend the meeting next week, and from that discussion and other discussions, Mr. Segal would bring back a scope of work in October. Rod Visser said that Mr. Segal does have some specific ideas but he wants to hear from the three governing boards. He said that Donna Dean has been in touch with Greenville, and there is an executive summary in the mail to the County. Commissioner Gordon said that there is no recommendation yet. She said that sometimes suggested cuts could hurt services, so there should be a balance.