Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
a <br />DRAFT <br />Orange County Collaboration Initiative <br />2002 - 2003 <br />Memorandum of Understanding <br />Purpose <br />This memorandum of understanding is between Orange County and the Institute of <br />Government, UNC - Chapel Hill. Its purpose is to secure the professional services of Dr. <br />Phillip Boyle, Associate Professor of Public Management and Government. Dr. Boyle <br />works closely with the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, the N.C. Carolina <br />School Boards Association, the N.C. League of Municipalities, and with county, school, and <br />municipal governing boards in public problem solving and decision making, including <br />collaborative problem solving involving multiple jurisdictions. <br />Background <br />Representatives from Orange County, Orange County Schools, and Chapel Hill-Carrboro <br />Schools met on September 18th and October 31St to discuss collaboration between their <br />respective governing boards. These meetings grew out of earlier discussions about <br />possible areas of collaboration, as outlined in a February 1St memorandum from the County <br />Board Chair. The three governing bodies have agreed to work together with the assistance <br />of the Institute of Government. <br />Issues and Interests, Expectations and Concerns <br />In these meetings participants identified a number of issues, interests, expectations, and <br />concerns that both drive and restrain efforts to collaborate. These tended to fall into three <br />major themes: (1) conflicting interests, values, attitudes, and beliefs; (2) commitment to <br />collaboration and (3) potential benefits and outcomes. <br />Conflicting Interests, Values, Attitudes, and Beliefs <br />• Visible inequities in funding and opportunities are highlighted by rising expectations <br />for educational opportunity and outcomes for students in both school districts. For <br />example, the district tax by design creates inequity in per pupil local funding <br />prescribed by state law for school operations budgets. <br />• Simultaneous needs for new facilities and better use of existing facilities. <br />• Reducing class size while also trying to squeeze what we can out of the capital <br />budget. <br />We need to recognize our own legitimate self-interests and those of the other parties <br />and then pursue common interests and common outcomes. <br />Values and deeply held beliefs may help or hinder collaboration based on the <br />degree of consonance among the participating parties.