DISCUSSION/ACTION 6.

1 MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION Rockville, Maryland January 14, 2014 MEMORANDUM To: From: Subject: Members of the Board of Education Patricia ONeill, Chair, Board of Education Policy Management Committee Tentative Action, Policy FAA, Long-range Educational Facilities Planning

In 2012, the Board Policy Management Committee undertook a review of several policies to address how input from the community would be obtained on various issues. The first step was to revise Board of Education (Board) Policy ABA, Community Involvement, to establish processes designed to obtain input by engaging in a discussion among a broad variety of stakeholders and utilizing opportunities for input from the public and relevant staff members. Final Action was taken on Policy ABA, Community Involvement, on June 13, 2013. As input from the public is frequently sought regarding issues related to long-range educational facilities planning, it is important that such processes be in compliance with Policy ABA, Community Involvement. Members of the Policy Management Committee discussed draft Policy FAA, Long-range Educational Facilities Planning, on November 14, 2013, and recommended language to align Policy FAA, Long-range Educational Facilities Planning, with Policy ABA, Community Involvement. A draft of the policy is attached. Also attached is a memorandum from Dr. Starr that was presented to the Board on May 15, 2013, regarding the recommendations on enrollment sizes and school sites. The following resolution is provided for your consideration: WHEREAS, Policy FAA, Long-range Educational Facilities Planning, has been updated to align processes for obtaining public input on matters relating to long-range facilities planning with Policy ABA, Community Involvement; and WHEREAS, The Policy Management Committee has considered and recommended revisions to Policy FAA, Long-range Educational Facilities Planning; now therefore be it Resolved, That the Board takes tentative action on Policy FAA, Long-range Educational Facilities Planning; and be it further Resolved, That Policy FAA, Long-range Educational Facilities Planning, be sent out for public comment. PO:hp Attachments

Draft 4 12/9/13 FAA

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Related Entries:

ABA, ABC, ABC-RA, ACD, CFA, DNA, FAA-RA, FKB, (pending), JEE, JEE-RA

Responsible Office: Chief Operating Officer Planning and Capital Programming Department of Facilities Management

Long-Rrange Educational Facilities Planning

A.

PURPOSE The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) has a primary responsibility to plan for school facilities that address changing Board. through enrollment patterns and sustain high-quality

educational programs in accordance with the policies of the The Board of Education fulfills this responsibility the facilities planning process. Long-range

educational facilities planning is essential to identify the infrastructure needed to ensure success for every student. The Long-range Educational Facilities Planning (LREFP) policy guides the planning process. The process is designed to promote public understanding of planning for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and to ensure that there are sufficient opportunities for parents, students, staff, community members and organizations, local government agencies, and municipalities to identify and communicate their priorities 1 of 10

Draft 4 12/9/13 FAA 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 MCPS is challenged continually to anticipate and plan for facilities in an efficient and fiscally responsible way to 2 of 10 MCPS is among the largest school systems in the country in terms of enrollment and serves a county of approximately 500 square miles. The full range of population density, from Since 1984, rural to urban, is present in the county. Enrollment in MCPS is constantly changing. environment for changing enrollment. their geographic of distribution, this population characteristics planning. The fundamental goal of facilities planning is to provide a sound educational The number of students, and all the impact demographic facilities B. ISSUE and concerns to the superintendent of schools and the Board. Long-range Educational Facilities Planning LREFP will be in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws and

regulations.

Net eEnrollment changes are driven by factors

including birth rates, and movement within the school system and into the school system from other parts of the United States and the world.

enrollment has increased where new communities have formed, as well as in established areas of the county where turnover of houses has occurred. altered the demographic composition of communities. In areas with affordable housing, there is often greater diversity in enrollment caused by immigration.

Draft 4 12/9/13 FAA 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 2. Provide a constructive and collaborative advisory role through public hearings, position papers, written comments, and advisory committee memberships for parent 3 of 10 1. Plan for utilization of schools in ways that are consistent with sound educational practice and consider the impact of facility changes on educational program and related community operating budget requirements and on the The long-range facilities planning process will continue to: C. POSITION School facilities also change. requires a program of Aging of the physical plant renovation, and maintenance, meet the varied educational needs of students. The LREFP

policy describes how the school system responds to educational and enrollment change; the rate of change; its geographic distribution; and the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic

diversification of enrollment.

modernization revitalization/expansion, in accordance with Board Policy FKB, Sustaining and Modernizing Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Facilities. Acquiring new sites,

designing new facilities, and modifying existing facilities to keep current with program needs is essential. improvements. This policy provides the framework to coordinate planning for capital

Draft 4 12/9/13 FAA 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 4 of 10 3. Provide a six-year capital improvements plan program and educational facilities master which include ef) School closures and consolidations e) General enrollment, demographic, and facility issues d) Geographic student choice assignment plans (such as consortia) c) Boundary changes b) Facility design a) Selection of school sites organizations (such as the PTA) and other community groups in the capital improvements program. activities listed below An advisory committee will be established for facilities planning Establish processes designed to

obtain input by engaging in a discussion among a broad variety of stakeholders and utilizing opportunities for input from the public and relevant staff members, in accordance with Board Policy ABA, Community Involvement, for the capital improvements program and the facilities planning activities listed below:

enrollment projections, educational program needs, and available school capacity countywide, and identify:

Draft 4 12/9/13 FAA 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 a) Eensures a safe and secure environment and is 5 of 10 5. Provide a process for facility design that: 4. Provide hearings for the Board of Education to hold public on the and solicit written testimony d) Facility utilization levels, capacity calculations, school enrollment size guidelines, and school site size (adopted as part of the Board of Education review of the superintendents of schools c) When school closures and consolidations are appropriate due to declining enrollment levels bc) When to modernize A schedule to revitalize/expand older school buildings in order to continue their use on a cost-effective basis, and to keep facilities current with educational program needs b) Funds for systemic maintenance and replacement a) When new schools and additions will be needed to keep facilities current with enrollment levels and educational program needs

projects to sustain schools in good condition and extend their useful life

recommended CIP)

recommendations of the superintendent of schools

Draft 4 12/9/13 FAA 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 3) Stability of school assignments over time 2) Geographic proximity of communities to schools 1) Demographic population characteristics of student b) Consider four main factors in development of school boundaries, and student choice assignment plans, and ways to address other facility issues a) Solicit input at the outset of the process by forming a community advisory committee consistent with Board Policy ABA, Community Involvement 6. Provide a process for changing school boundaries, and establishing geographic student choice assignment plans, and discussing facility issues that: e) Anticipates future needs d) Demonstrates environmental stewardship c) Iincludes community input b) Is consistent with educational program needs and

including:

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Draft 4 12/9/13 FAA 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 7 of 10 8. Provide for articulation in school assignments by: 7. Provide a process for closing and consolidating schools that meets the requirements of COMAR (Chapter 13A) e) At such time as the Board of Education takes action on school boundaries or geographic student choice assignment plans, the Board has the discretion to adopt minor modifications to the superintendent of schools determined recommendation that such or Board will identified not have a d) The Board of Education will hold public hearings and solicit written testimony on the recommendations of the superintendent of schools and Board identified alternatives c) The Board of Education may, by majority vote, identify alternatives to the superintendents of schools recommendations for review 4) Facility utilization

alternatives if, by a majority vote, the Board has action significant impact on an option that has received public review

Draft 4 12/9/13 FAA 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 8 of 10 1. A long-range high educational quality facilities planning LREFP to all D. DESIRED OUTCOMES 9. The superintendent will develop regulations with student, staff, community, and parental input to guide implementation of this policy In cases where schools do not have boundaries and students participate in a student choice assignment plan (e.g., consortium) to identify the school they wish to attend, articulation patterns may vary from the straight articulation pattern that is desired in traditional student assignment b) Student Choice Assignment Plans Structuring clusters high schools for Grades 9-12 and, of one high school, and a where possible, creating straight articulation for composed sufficient number of elementary and middle schools, each of which sends its students, including special education and ESOL students, to the next higher level school in that cluster a) Traditional Student Assignments

process that identifies the infrastructure necessary to deliver educational facilities

Draft 4 12/9/13 FAA 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 Policy History: Resolution Adopted by Resolution No. 257-86, April 28, 1986; by amended by Resolution No. 271-87, May 12, 1987; amended No. 679-95, October 10, 1995; 2. This policy will be reviewed after its initial implementation, but no later than 2007, in accordance with the Board of Education's policy review process. 1. The annual June publication of the Educational Facilities Master Plan will constitute the official reporting on facility planning. This document will reflect all facilities actions taken during the year by the Board of Education and approved by the County Council. The Master Plan will project the enrollment and utilization of each school, and identify schools and sites that may be involved in future planning activities. E. REVIEW AND REPORTING 2. The superintendent of schools will develop regulations with student, staff, community, and parental input to guide implementation of this policy. students and incorporates the input of parents, staff, and community and, as appropriate, students.

No. 831-93, November 22, 1993; amended by Resolution amended by Resolution No. 581-99 9 of 10

Draft 4 12/9/13 FAA 260 261 262 September 14, 1999; updated office titles June 1, 2000; updated November 4, 2003; amended by Resolution No. amended . 268-05, May 23, 2005;

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