Agenda - 02-11-2020 Item 1 - Update on Schools Joint Action Committee Related to Class Sizes and Pre-K

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 11, 2020 Action Agenda Item No. 1 SUBJECT: Update on Schools Joint Action Committee Related to Class Sizes and Pre-K DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: A. Elementary School Classroom and Capacity Craig Benedict, Director, 919-245-2575 Calculations Ashley Moncado, Planner II, 919-245-2589 PURPOSE: To receive an update on the Schools Joint Action Committee (SJAC) related to impacts from changes in class size and Pre-K. BACKGROUND: The State of North Carolina enacted legislation in 2017 resulting in a decrease in class size averages from 1:20 to 1:17 for kindergarten to third grade for the 2018- 2019 school year. Due to significant statewide ramifications as a result of the reduced class size averages, the North Carolina General Assembly aaproved House Bill 90 which allows for a phasing-in process to address the decrease in class size averages over the next four years. Based on House Bill 90, average class sizes for kindergarten to third grade will be phased-in as provided below: 2019 — 2020 1:19 2020 — 2021 1:18 2021 — 2022 1:17 In January 2018, due to impacts anticipated to elementary school capacity resulting from these reductions, the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance Technical Advisory Committee (SAPFOTAC) identified the need for the Schools Joint Action Committee (SJAC) to meet in order to discuss options and determine how to implement the school capacity changes. Schools Joint Action Committee (SJAC) Based on the adopted SAPFO Memoranda of Understanding, school building capacity shall be determined by reference to state guidelines and school district guidelines and by a joint action of the School Boards and Orange County Board of Commissioners. The SJAC is comprised of elected officials from the Orange County Board of Education, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education, and Orange County Board of Commissioners. Appointed members include: ■ Rani Dasi, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education ■ Dr. Stephen Halkiotis, Orange County Board of Education ■ Penny Rich, Orange County Board of Commissioners Changes in Class Size Ratios The SJAC has conducted three meetings to review impacts resulting from changes in class size and options before determining how to implement elementary school class size reductions for SAPFO purposes.