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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-30-1997 - I ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. T ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 30, 1997 SUBJECT: Substantial Equivalency of School Facilities DEPARTMENT: Manager's Office PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/N) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 8/20/97 Abstract John M. Link, Jr. TELEPHONE NUMBERS: - - ext. 2300 Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 227-2031 PURPOSE: To discuss a proposal that all schools in Orange County meet the basic school construction standards for new schools, or be substantially equivalent. BACKGROUND: At their meeting on August 25, 1997, the Board of Commissioners discussed a proposed policy on substantial equivalency for school facility funding that was presented by Commissioner Gordon(see attached abstract). The Board decided to forward the proposal to the two school boards for their consideration, and discussion at the September 30 joint meeting of the school boards and Commissioners. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Boards discuss the proposal and provide direction to their respective staffs, as appropriate. 1 ORANGE COUN'T'Y d BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Date: August 20, 1997 Item No. SUBJECT: Substantial Equivalency Policy for School Facility Funding DEPARTMENT: Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: No BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Alice Gordon PURPOSE: To establish a school funding policy that-would state that all schools in Orange County, whether new or existing, should meet the basic standards established for new schools or be substantially equivalent. BACKGROUND: As part of their efforts to provide adequate facilities for a growing student population in a cost effective and equitable manner, the Board of County Commissioners and School Boards have developed county construction standards for new elementary and middle schools, and have declared their intent to develop high school standards. However, there are no stated county standards for existing schools. Thus there appears to be a growing gap between new and existing schools. SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCY POLICY FOR SCHOOL FACILITY FUNDIIVG: In funding school facilities the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will pursue the goal of providing substantially equivalent facilities for ail children in both the Orange County (OCS) and Chapel Hill- Carrboro (CHCCS) school systems The target standard for equivalency will be the county "Basic School" standards developed for new school construction. Once approved, the standards for substantial equivalency will be utilized in decisions for funding school renovations, school additions and/or school replacement. IMPLEMENTATION: To implement this policy the BOCC would pursue the following steps: Gordon-Substantial Equivalency Policy for School Facility Funding 2 1. Confer with the School Boards concerning this policy. 2. Formally adopt a substantial equivalency policy for school facility funding. 3. Request the OCS and CHCCS to evaluate their schools using the "Basic School" standards for new schools and provide that evaluation to the commissioners, along with estimated costs for bringing the schools up to the basic school standards. 4. If it is not practical to meet the letter of the basic school standards, then work with the School Boards to develop substantially equivalent standards for existing schools. Some of the,following items could be considered. a. decide whether additional standards should be included for categories such as technology or playgrounds. b. list the top priority changes needed to meet as many of the standards as possible, and give their associated costs. c. suggest facilities that could compensate for a particular school's deficiencies, so that substantial equivalency is achieved. For example, if classroom sizes are below the standard size, it might be possible to exceed the basic standards in some other category in a way that would enhance education. Additional standards, mentioned In paragraph 4a, might be used for this purpose. In pursuing substantial equivalency as cited above, it will be important for the BOCC and School Boards to consider the particular interests of parents and teachers for each existing school. 5. Establish a target date for making all school facilities in the OCS and CHCCS substantially equivalent . A potential time frame to achieve this goal night be 10 years. RECOMMENDATION: As the Board decides. To act favorably on this proposed policy, the BOCC should declare its intent to adopt the policy and proceed with the steps Usted under the Implementation section above.