HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-25-2025; 8-e - Sunsetting of the School Capital Needs Work Group 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 20, 2025
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-e
SUBJECT: Sunsetting of the School Capital Needs Work Group
DEPARTMENT: Clerk's Office
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
NONE Clerk's Office, 919-245-2130
PURPOSE: To conclude the School Capital Needs Work Group's activities and formally sunset
the Group.
BACKGROUND: The Capital Needs Work Group (the work group) was established by the
Board of Commissioners (BOCC) on October 19, 2021, as a result of a petition by
Commissioner Jean Hamilton. The petition requested the work group address the capital needs
of the two public school systems in Orange County — Orange County Schools (OCS) and
Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) — especially the older schools, such that an
actionable plan (over 10 years) would be developed that would dedicate funds and a process to
address the needs.
The BOCC received the work group's final report on September 13, 2022, which recommended:
1. Hiring a consultant to evaluate the County' s approach to school capital planning, design,
contracting, and financing.
2. Researching alternative funding sources for school capital improvements.
3. County and both school districts commit to continue working together on school capital
planning through the existing work group.
The work group's recommendations and efforts led to a Services Agreement with Woolpert, Inc.
to conduct a Capital Needs Assessment of Orange County's Public Schools, and a final report
from the assessment was presented to the BOCC on December 4, 2023.
At several meetings in 2024, the BOCC discussed how to address the funding needs identified
in the Capital Needs Assessment.
Finally, on November 5, 2024, Orange County voters approved $300 million in General
Obligation bonds to fund capital improvements for CHCCS and OCS.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
2
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: There are no Orange County Strategic Plan Goals
applicable to this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board:
1) express its appreciation to the members of the School Capital Needs Work Group for
their work; and
2) conclude the activities of and formally sunset the School Capital Needs Work Group.