AG 1997 08 12 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Information will be collected, compared and analyzed regarding land area and population trends; selected characteristics of school district residents; characteristics of the pupil population; instructional programs; administrative and auxiliary services; school facilities; and fiscal resources and expenditures. Duplication of services, analysis of personnel, and comparison of expectations will be perforated. A detailed analysis of school facilities (to include growth patterns) will be evaluated. The Study-Analysis and Report Phase Based on the research obtained, The Welkin Group, Inc. will analyze and present merger advantages and disadvantages and various alternatives. Gains and losses associated with a merged system from federal, state and local funding and the effects on instructional opportunities for children will be considered as pan of this analysis. From the analysis will stem the recommendations that will more clearly define what avenues would produce the best results for the school systems involved. SUBSEQUENT INFORMATION/QUESTIONS/ANSWERS/RESPONSES (Listed below are the statements, questions and concerns offered by the representative groups. Responses from The Welkin Group, Inc. are also reported.) Interviews would be conducted in a two-part stage. The Welkin Group would sit down with superintendents and identify the people to be interviewed. A contact person would be selected fi'om each school system to assist with scheduling interviews and serve as a contact person for the details of the study. Legal issues? The Welkin Group is very familiar with the legal issues of merger. They would work closely with attorneys. The information should be compiled and compared in a standard form. The County Commissioners have provided data in the past, but what does it mean? The Welkin Group would assemble the infom~ation in an understandable format. Per Frank Clifton, the law requires a merger plan. The County Commissioners want to make sure we get a plan for merger. Per Dr. Trogdon, every situation is unique. Sometimes mergers occur without a great deal of research and the aftermath can be devastating. Careful consideration of a merged systemneeds to be accomplished in a clear and objective way. It was noted that the study could reveal one of three things: 1) Kannapolis could remain independent, 2) Kannapolis could merge with Cabarrus County Schools, or 3) Kannapolis could merge with Rowan County Schools. The study should portray the different scenarios. Conununication re merger study? There is a timeline in the proposal with benchmarks. It would be important to have the commissioners involved. The timeline stated that the contracts for the study would be with the County Commissioners? That would be a decision you would need to resolve. Would "spot" interviews be conducted to get input from people who do not have the "in route?" We have done that. Mr. Clifton offered that this may not be the best method. A systematic approach should be considered. A report would be made to the Boards every two months.