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

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8 Revised April 2008 • Once a system acquires a site and before grading begins, each school system receives State approval of its erosion control plan and additional County review to ensure that unnecessary cutting of trees or clearing of land does not occur. Adequate natural buffers are to be left intact with existing trees, or replanted if the areas are disturbed during construction. Special attention should be paid to "specimen"trees as outlined in the County land development code. Road and Utility Requirements—Major elements for a system to consider in siting a new facility relate to infrastructure requirements by a Town or other public utility. In some recent instances, the systems have been required to provide costly infrastructure such as sidewalks and road improvements. These elements greatly inflate construction costs of new facilities. As a system begins initial planning, there should be a joint meeting between elected Town, County and Education officials to discuss particular requirements that all parties expect of other project partners. 3. Building Design Standards As a school system selects a particular facility design, it is important that the most cost-effective design alternative be pursued. Historically in Orange County, new school buildings have been designed uniquely for each particular project. The Board of Commissioners encourages systems to pursue non-traditional, or prototype, designs that can be replicated for use on more than one project. Should a system choose a unique design, it is to provide a detailed cost comparison analysis and justification in writing of why that particular approach was chosen over a prototype design. 4. Construction Standards Over the past few years, the County has given special attention to defining construction standards for each school level—elementary, middle and high schools. The standards provide a minimum and maximum square footage and student capacity for each level. As a system undertakes construction of a new facility, it is critical that the system adheres to the most recent school construction standards (estimated project cost should include a reasonable allowance for inflation). The Commissioners agree to provide funding for new school facilities that are designed within the adopted standards. They do not agree to fund projects that go beyond the adopted standards unless there is sufficient justification provided in writing by the Board of Education. One justification for going beyond the standards relates to co-location of facilities, in particular recreational facilities. In this case, the system must provide detailed explanations outlining the benefits to be offered to the community and citizens, in the context of the intergovernmental "Memorandum of Agreement for Providing Coordinated Site and Facility Planning" and the "Orange County Parklands Acquisition and Evaluation Criteria" adopted by the Board of Commissioners on December 7, 1999. Page 3 of 6 Policy on Planning and Funding School Capital Projects