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GIS APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOLS <br /> Since February, Planning has been working with staff from Orange County <br /> Schools to begin sharing GIS and digital data. Tonight, we'd like to show you two <br /> products that have been produced that are of great value to both the County and <br /> OC Schools database. <br /> GIS maps are built by overlaying coverages. For example, this map of school <br /> districts is one "coverage." Data on student location from the OC Schools SIMS <br /> and TIMS programs was plotted by Planning GIS Coordinator Beth McFarland. <br /> Then, a coverage of school districts was combined with a new coverage that <br /> shows locations and number of lots for new subdivisions - to show where new <br /> lots will be occurring by school district. As this database is added to and refined, <br /> this could be of great value in projecting enrollment and at least providing some <br /> "early-notice" to schools on future impacts. <br /> The second product was produced to assist the OC Schools Site Selection <br /> Committee, developed by Planning's other GIS Project Coordinator, Miriam <br /> Coleman. Three base coverages were plotted and then combined: <br /> • This plot shows data on all parcels of land in the County schools <br /> • This plot is actually two coverages combined - resource protection areas and <br /> watershed critical areas - shown on one map here. <br /> • These coverages were combined, and the parcels of land were color-coded <br /> by size into three categories: the dark brown are lots that are of the general <br /> size needed for elementary schools. The medium brown are of the size for <br /> middle schools, and light tan color are sites large enough to accommodate a <br /> high school. <br /> Overlaid with the environmental constraints, one can begin to zoom in on the <br /> sites which might be most feasible for future school sites. <br /> Mobile Homes map - example of new things working on <br /> In conclusion: <br /> • great work by Beth and Miriam, mention also Marvin's leadership in <br /> developing and Roscoe's assistance <br /> • "This is where the future is" - how GIS $'s being used <br /> • Sustainability - GIS can help begin to get a handle on <br /> • Limitless future possibilities - Can be used for many other purposes, example <br /> - eventually plot all new houses by school district along with students <br /> • Tool for County and schools <br />