P-0175 - Clarification of Policy on Planning and Funding School Capital Projects 11-01-2000

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Upon receipt of the Board of Education's notification, the Commissioners will appoint, by a majority vote of the Board, a representative to work directly with the Board of Education. As a partner with the school system, the Commissioner representative will receive information and provide input regarding talks and negotiations related to the potential site. The Commissioner representative will share information regarding the progress of talks and negotiations of the potential site with other members of the Board of Commissioners Environmental Factors - A school system is to pay particular attention to the physical environment surrounding the site and new facility. • In order to avoid future flood hazards, a facility should not be located in close proximity to wetlands, stream buffers, or in a flood plain. Facility siting should also avoid other physical factors that create either additional construction or longer-term maintenance problems, or other unfavorable environmental impacts. • 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.