TITLE
title
THE GUILFORD COUNTY AND GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS JOINT CAPITAL / FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE GUIDELINES
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SPONSOR
sponsor
Marty Lawing, County Manager
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BACKGROUND
background
Guilford County Schools (GCS) will continue to have short-term and long-term capital needs. The GCS Board of Education is responsible for planning and contracting for the construction of school facilities and the Board of Commissioners is responsible for providing the funding for constructing and maintaining facilities. As school capital and debt service for schools is a significant portion of the county budget, it is important that the Board of Education understands the county's fiscal position and capacity to fund future capital. It is also important that the Board of Commissioners understand the school facility needs and priorities. A Joint Capital / Facilities Planning Committee made up of elected officials from the Board of Education, Board of Commissioners and staff is recommended to discuss, plan, review, develop and make recommendations for funding GCS capital improvements.
The goals of the committee are to foster improved communication and understanding between the parties, regarding school facility needs and fiscal resources available to fund improvements. Additionally, the committee will jointly evaluate new and innovative approaches to develop and construct schools that meet the educational needs of our students in an efficient and responsible manner.
The primary responsibilities of the Joint Capital / Facilities Planning Committee shall include the following:
1. Solicit proposals from qualified consultants to perform a comprehensive educational facilities needs assessment, and make recommendations to the respective Boards as to which consultant should be selected and how the costs of the study should be shared.
2. Based on the results of the assessment, develop a 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan that prioritizes critical needs, assign projects and financing, and recommend the plan for approval by the Boards.
3. Review the proposed annual capital / maintenance project needs of the district.
4. Evaluate and recommend potential sites for new school facilities.
5. Review and evaluate how to support the maintenance, upgrade and purchase of new technology and equipment.
6. Annually review student demographic data, and evaluate its impact and relationship to educational facilities planning and development.
7. Establish minimum standards for school design and construction, based upon educational program requirements.
8. Review Capital Project Ordinance amendments prior to presenting to the Boards, and receive construction progress reports and cash flow projections for capital projects on a quarterly basis, or as needed.
The Board Chairs shall annually appoint three (3) board members to serve on the committee for a total of three (3) positions from each Board. The Superintendent and County Manager shall serve on the committee and the Board of Education Chair and the Board of Commissioners Chair shall jointly chair the Committee. Other key professional staff members from the schools and the county will attend the meetings to offer technical assistance to the committee, but will not serve as members on the committee. The Joint Capital / Facilities Planning Committee will not appoint standing or ad hoc committees.
The Committee will meet on a quarterly basis, or more frequently if necessary, to fulfill the responsibilities outlined in the charter. The meeting dates and times will be established by the six (6) elected officials serving on the Committee.
Decisions of the Committee will be reached by consensus based upon best facts and information available. There will be no formal voting, however a quorum must be present at a meeting where a recommendation is finalized. A quorum of the Joint Capital / Facilities Planning Committee shall mean that at least two (2) of the elected officials from each Board must be present.
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REQUESTED ACTION
requested action
Approve the Guidelines of the Guilford County and Guilford County Schools Joint Capital / Facilities Planning Committee.
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