Agenda 05-07-24; 7-a - Discussion on Statutes and Policies Regarding Project-Based School Capital Funding

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13 2 State has moved away from the "standards concept" and now has "Facilities Guidelines" in place. During the first half of 2006, the Collaboration Work Group met four times to focus on revisions that should be made to existing Orange County school construction standards. Those meetings involved primarily information gathering regarding school construction practices and guidelines, sustainability considerations, and opportunities for community use of school facilities, particularly with regard to County and municipal recreation programming. Since September 2006, the Work Group has met three additional times to review and refine successive drafts of updated School Construction Standards. All three governing boards received and reviewed an early draft of the revised standards at the September 2006 joint work session. Of particular note in the Work Group's proposal is the recognition of the need to consider "non-traditional schools" as well as more traditional models, in furtherance of evolving educational priorities and smart growth initiatives, and in light of the harsh realities of spiraling costs in the construction industry. At the April 30, 2007 joint work session between Commissioners and both Boards of Education there was concensus that the draft presented (Attachment 1 of this agenda abstract) reflected construction standards that were fair and reflected values that were important to all parties. While the intent of the Guidelines remains consistent with the previously enacted State Standards -to ensure that school systems provide adequate space for instructional classes and activities — the Guidelines now allow for flexibility and allow for more consideration of local situations such as availability of land or other limitations that school districts may face. Both Chapel Hill Carrboro City and Orange County Schools Boards of Education have adopted the Standards. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There are no immediate financial impacts associated with approval of this version of the Standards since, based on the November 15, 2006 certified student membership projections for both school districts, the need for new school construction falls beyond fiscal year 2007-08. In accordance with the draft Standards a School Capital Review Team consisting of County staff and representatives from each school district, would meet annually, in November, to review construction and land related costs for actual school projects that have occurred within the past year. Based on actual expenditures related to school construction, the Review Team would recommend updated school construction standard costs, which include all of the project components, for the respective School Boards to review and for the Board of County Commissioners to approve. In addition to school construction costs, the Review Team would also review the ten year Capital Investment Plan (CIP) process and pay-as-you-go funding allocations for the upcoming long-range capital plan. The Review Team would take the Construction Price Index (CPI) and benchmarks set by national education facilities planners into consideration in recommending updated construction standards. RECOMMENDATION (S): The Manager recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve the attached School Construction Standards.