Orange County NC Website
~i <br />~i~.A~r <br />10 <br />11 <br />12 <br />Q. Is the LOS standard different in the two county school districts? <br />A. No, the SAPFO MOU and the implementing ordinances of the local <br />governments are consistent between both districts. <br />Q. Why were the LOS standards of 105%, 107% and 110% chosen? <br />A. Both school districts provided information about their existing schools and <br />their functional ability to handle overcapacity situations. There was <br />discussion that included: <br />^ The age of the school. <br />- Older schools which comprise over half of the total school <br />capacity were built with less square footage per pupil. In <br />addition, the core facilities such as the cafeteria, media <br />center, etc. have limitations on usability and/or expansion. <br />These facility constraints lead to less flexibility to handle any <br />mid-level degree of overcrowding. However, as new <br />schools come on line with newer and more flexible square <br />footage, the system-wide constraints become less <br />significant. <br />^ The number of schools in a particular school level acknowledging <br />that the fewer the schools the greater the statistical impact. <br />^ The number of overcapacity students and the impact of a new <br />school. <br />^ The concern for more restricted LOS standards at earlier years to <br />protect the education environment. <br />Q. If new schools open, what is roughly the actual percent of LOS that is <br />achieved (i.e. the lower range of the LOS)? <br />A. The impact varies at each school depending on the redistricting pattern <br />but the following school level percentage reductions could be achieved: <br /> Chapel Hill/Carrboro <br />School District Orange County <br />School District <br />Elementary 92% 91 % <br />Middle 86% 72% <br />High 83% 79% <br />Assuming 1000 capacity school is added. <br />3 <br />