Minutes - 20050122 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Vendor Analysis -They are beginning to group vendors by type. They are looking for economies of scale. They have found 34 vendors for vehicles, 24 book vendors, 19 computer- type vendors, and 12 copier vendors. He pointed out that the two school systems pay almost exactly the same to the copier companies, but one system has 113 more students than the other. He said that it was a slow process, but there has been some implementation. Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to page 3 of his letter, and that Orange County government had not signed an agreement with Mr. Segal yet. He asked why this has not been signed. Rod Visser said that the Commissioners indicated that there was another type of analysis that does not fit very well within the standardized contract that the Segal firm uses. They have been struggling with how to compensate the firm for these kinds of analyses. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he thinks the Board made a philosophical commitment to both school systems when they put themselves under the same microscope with Segal. He thinks this sends the wrong message. If he were a school board member, he would be upset about this. He feels the County has been kept out of the analysis. He wants to finalize the agreement as quickly as passible. Chair Carey asked Bob Segal about the agreement. Bob Segal said that he submitted a modified agreement, but it has not yet been approved. He said that he thinks they have found an operational efficiency and submitted a proposed letter agreement to cover this one paint, but Ken Chavious pointed out some flaws. They have identified some efficiencies and they are working on an agreement that is mutually satisfactory. He said that it would be nice to have the same standard agreement that the other two parties have signed. Commissioner Jacobs suggested putting the basic agreement on the agenda for Monday night. The part that deals with the mare complicated comparison could be addressed separately. He agrees that there should be an agreement as soon as passible. Chair Carey agreed and said that the basic agreement should be approved. Bob Segal said that Ken Chavious has passed along vendor and invoice information, so he can start with the collaborative part. At 10:55, the Board took afive-minute break. C. School Collaboration Work Group (Possible Recharging to include addressing outstanding substantive policy issues such as the Process and Authority far Making School System Capacity Decisions in a Timely Manner and making recommendations to elected bodies) Chair Carey said that he has been going to these meetings this year. He pointed out the minutes from several of the meetings. He asked staff to refresh the Board's memory of the charge and the activities. He said that at the last meeting, the group did a summary of accomplishments to date and they are encouraging. He realizes that the collaboration processes were, in part, developed as an alternative to merger. He raised the question of whether the group should be recharged to focus on some more substantive issues, and they reminded him that they have already been focusing on substantive issues. The two school boards have been working together and have generated a list of substantive issues. He said that if they recharge, then all three groups need to decide. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he is impressed with what is going on. He said that last week he and Chair Carey met with Durham Technical Community College representatives and Dr. Phail Wynn announced that in September 2005, the Middle College would be getting underway with 50 students from Chapel Hill-Carrbaro City Schools, 50 from Orange County Schools, and 100 from Durham Public Schools. He thinks this is a significant piece and shows the two school systems working together in a significant manner. He endorsed keeping the work group going.