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• Building capacity (page 2 of SAPFOTAC report) <br />• Student membership projection methodology (page 16) <br />• Student membership projections (page 27) <br />• Student growth rate (page 34) <br />• Student/housing generation rate (page 37) <br />As noted at the earlier meeting, there will still need to be resolution regarding determinations by <br />the State of North Carolina that class size in grades kindergarten through 2 (K-2) must be <br />reduced from a ratio of 23 students to 1 teacher to 21 to 1, Commissioners have noted that a <br />unilateral reduction in class size by the State has the effect of creating an unfunded mandate <br />for county governments. Reduced class sizes in elementary schools create the need for more <br />classroom space, which county governments must pay for, Further impacts to class size and <br />possible additional classroom space needs could be experienced given the Governor's recent <br />budget proposal to reduce class size in Grade 3 in North Carolina. <br />County staff propose that the BOCC certify individual school building capacities as of November <br />15, 2003 at the same levels as they were as of November 15, 2002, with two exceptions -the <br />addition of 619 elementary seats in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro system resulting from the Augtast <br />2003 opening of Rashkis Elementary; and the addition of 100 more seats in 2003 at the <br />renovated Hillsborough Elementary in the Orange County Schools system, Both school <br />systems would be asked to make the same certifications as the BOCC, with the understanding <br />that the BOCC will engage school board representatives in discussions during the coming <br />months that would lead to a consensual approach to the next annual certifications for school <br />building capacities, effective November 15, 2004. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: Precise financial impacts cannot be determined, but possible changes <br />in projected building capacity and projected growth in student membership for the next ten <br />years will have impacts on future operating and capital budgets measured in the tens of millions <br />of dollars. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the SAPFO <br />related certifications of student membership and capacity and authorize the Chair to send a <br />letter to the Boards of Education regarding an approach to future annual certifications of school <br />building capacities, <br />