Agenda - 12-09-2003-9a - Laserfiche WebLink

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o practical working models that both school systems could adopt to ensure collaboration Commissioner Gordon proposal., • two school districts, in partnership with Commissioners, agree to work with a facilitator to identify concrete steps for collaboration, and agree on funding /facilitator /other aspects of collaboration study by February 2004 • collaboration study produces an interim report by May 2004, in time to initiate some meaningful collaboration during the 2004.05 school year if at all possible • final report will recommend significant collaboration that will take place during the 2005- 06 school year and beyond Commissioner Jacobs proposal: Charge CHCCS and OCS Boards of Education to return to BOCC by June 1, 2004 with analysis /plan of action to implement collaboration in following areas: • middle college program, preferably with Durham Tech • single alternative school program for students in both districts • plan to allow students in each district readily to access courses /programs not offered in their district but offered in the other • regular meetings of superintendents /school staffs on mutual educational interests and potential cooperation, with annual report to public on progress • joint early childhood program • expose CHCCS parents to features of OCS year-round schools programs at Hillsborough Elementary, Stanback Middle • strategy for promoting ongoing contacts between children in respective systems that go beyond athletics In considering next steps concerning potential merger, the Board may wish to ask each school board to participate in one or more facilitated discussions that might lead to concrete plans for greater collaboration. For reference purposes only, a draft collaboration study proposal prepared (but not undertaken) in Fall 2002 is included at Attachment 5. Educational Excellence Evaluation Group Both Commissioners Brown and Jacobs have proposed that some type of work group be constituted to examine and report on educational excellence. The Board may wish to discuss the composition of and elements of a potential charge to such a work group, along with specific questions the BOCC would like the work group to examine and report on. School Efficiency Study The BOCC has discussed the desirability of providing assurance to the public and the Commissioners that County appropriations for public education are being well and efficiently expended, particularly before any commitments are made to providing additional financial resources to the schools from a potential merger, supplemental taxes, or the like. As reflected in the table below, the County Commissioners already appropriate substantial amounts of funding — nearly half of the County's annual operating budget — for public education.