Agenda - 02-26-2003-ws1 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Task Force at the conclusion of its most recent meeting on November 22, 2002 was that the group had essentially accomplished all that it could. School Collaboration Initiative An offshoot of the High School Planning Task Force was a set of discussions this past fall between the Chairs of the Board of Commissioners and the two Boards of Education regarding opportunities for collaboration on programs and facilities between the two school systems. Those discussions, which included faculty from the Institute of Government (IOG), were a follow up to preliminary work done a year ago by a committee of school board members at the urging of the BOCC. Dr. Phil Boyle of the IOG has drafted a proposed agreement between the County and the IOG under which he would lead an assessment of collaboration efforts and opportunities between the school systems. The study is proposed at a cost of $20,000, to be borne by the County. It could likely get underway as early as March 2003 if the Boards agree to participate. School Facilities Task Force This task force, comprised of two or three members from each governing board, has met six times thus far, beginning in May 2002. The meetings to date have focused largely on clarifying issues and developing recommendations to the BOCC related to adoption of the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance and Memorandum of Understanding. The second phase of the Task Force's work will likely focus on review of and recommended modifications to the BOCC's adopted school construction standards for elementary, middle, and high schools. Chapel Hill Township Park and Educational Campus (CHATPEC) The CHATPEC Master Plan Work Group has thus far met on four occasions. The Work Group has taken a tour of the site, received a report on site opportunities and constraints, and has begun discussion of a master list of potential facilities. A subset of the group is planning a visit to a similar park and campus in Wilmington. The next Work Group meeting is scheduled for March 13, where the group will continue discussion of the draft master list of potential facilities, and prepare for the formation of subcommittees that will develop the concept plans for both the school campus and the park. Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (SAPFO) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Work among the County, Towns, and school systems on SAPFO has been ongoing for several years. Substantial progress has been made in recent months, with that progress culminating in the BOCC's approval of the MOU in December 2002. A public hearing regarding future adoption of the ordinance was held by the BOCC in January 2003. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated directly with discussion of this agenda item. However, future decisions the Board will make regarding many of the topics to be discussed (e.g. new school construction) will have multi-million dollar implications for future capital and operating budgets. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss the various school issues and provide any necessary direction to staff regarding next steps.