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