Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
To date the resolution has been adopted by: <br /> Orange County Schools Board of Education (March 24, 2014) <br /> Town of Carrboro Board of Aldermen (April 8, 2014) <br /> Town of Hillsborough Board of Commissioners (April 14, 2014) <br /> Chapel Hill - Carrboro City Schools Board of Education (May 15, 2014) <br /> Town of Chapel Hill Town Council (June 23, 2014) <br /> (Note: City of Mebane did not participate due to lack of school facilities in Orange County). <br /> Dave Stancil said this resolution is brought before the Board tonight to complete the <br /> process and enable staffs to begin working toward more specific actions to facilitate the usage <br /> of facilities. He noted that Commissioner Gordon and Commissioner Rich were a part of this <br /> work group. <br /> Meredith Stewart said the Health Department is interested in the community use of <br /> schools as it relates to their work with the issue of childhood obesity. She passed out a letter <br /> to the Commissioners which outlines these issues and the fact that the last community health <br /> assessment revealed a need for more access to parks and recreation spaces. She said the <br /> Health Department supports the shared use of school facilities for community members. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said this is something she has been working on since 2008, and <br /> there has been great collaboration between the schools, County and towns. She said this is a <br /> thing that has been a long time coming, and she is very pleased. <br /> Commissioner porosin asked if the substance of this resolution is to help them move <br /> forward with a program for shared use of the facilities. <br /> Dave Stancil said yes, and the purpose is also to make it cost effective for local <br /> governments and public entities to use school facilities. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he would echo Commissioner Gordon's comments, and it <br /> will be a relief to be able to answer community questions about this issue. <br /> Commissioner Rich said this passed wholeheartedly by the school systems and <br /> OWASA. She said there was a mutual agreement that these green spaces should be able to <br /> be used at an affordable rate. <br /> Chair Jacobs noted that he had participated in this process in 2008 as well. <br /> Chair Jacobs said in the past everything was always trumped by the principals and/or <br /> the athletic directors. He said he hopes that progress has been made with this sticking point. <br /> Dave Stancil said there has been some progress here, but it is an issue they will <br /> continue to work on. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said the two school systems did change their policies, which will <br /> facilitate this going forward. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner McKee for <br /> the Board to adopt and authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution supporting Community Use <br /> of School Facilities for Recreation. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> b. Approval of an Easement for Two Interpretive Siqns in River Park <br /> The Board considered approving an easement to permit the Town of Hillsborough to <br /> erect two interpretive sign panels along the public walkway within the County-owned River <br /> Park and authorizing the Chair to sign. <br />