AGENDA DATE: 10/4/2017
TITLE:
Title
BF Yancey Transition planning
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Receive information on the BF Yancey transition to-date, provide input on the proposed process moving forward, and direct the County Executive to appoint the BF Yancey Transition Advisory Committee
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Walker, Letteri, Kilroy
PRESENTER (S): Emily Kilroy
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Douglas C. Walker
BACKGROUND: In May 2017, the Albemarle County School Board voted to close BF Yancey Elementary School after many years of studies, transformational initiatives, and community conversations in the face of declining enrollments and the loss of state accreditation and grant funding. At the same time, BF Yancey Elementary School is recognized as an integral part of the Esmont community. Recent capital investments like upgrades to the broadband internet, heating and cooling, and septic systems means the building itself is fit to remain in use.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality Government Operations: Ensure County government’s capacity to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities.
DISCUSSION:
Building Transition
On September 14, 2017, the School Board voted to declare the Yancey property to be surplus. On the filing of the resolution, the deed transferred to the Board of Supervisors at the end of September. Immediate use and budgetary impacts will be shared with the Board during the presentation of this agenda item. Staff plans to return to the Board in December with options for additional near-term uses.
Community Engagement
Over the summer, Albemarle County staff met several times with community members to devise public outreach strategies and understand community priorities for the building to transition into its next phase as a community asset. This effort has built on the work of the Yancey Workgroup, which met throughout 2013 to look at ways to utilize the building outside of the traditional school day to provide community services. This has included the following outreach initiatives:
-- Letter mailed to all residences in the BF Yancey district with webpage, email, phone number to learn more and provide feedback, and invitation to Open House
-- Community Open House at BF Yancey on June 29 (50 attendees) and online form to respond to questions (4 respondents) (Attachment A: Community Feedback Summary)
-- Meetings of the “BF Yancey Transitions Team,” June - present (Attachment B: Transition Team Statements).
In addition, community partners and County departments have been engaged in initial conversations to understand the level of interest and potential space needs for providing services across a range of program areas supported by the community, including recreation, clubs, food, intergenerational care, health, and education. To facilitate a community-oriented planning process now that the property has been turned over to the Board of Supervisors, staff recommends the Board direct the County Executive to appoint the BF Yancey Transition Advisory Committee (YTAC). The YTAC will work with a staff Technical Work Group and community organizations to develop recommendations to the Board for future long-term uses of the school building and grounds, and serve as liaisons to ensure the recommendations reflect community interests in Esmont and greater Southern Albemarle. The Technical Work Group will be comprised of staff from Facilities and Environmental Services, Parks & Recreation, Community Development, Office of Management and Budget, and the County Executive’s Office, and will plan for the one-time and ongoing resource needs of the building and grounds. A full write-up of the proposed transition process is found in Attachment C. The draft YTAC charge will be sent under separate cover following a meeting with the Yancey Transition Team scheduled for September 28.
BUDGET IMPACT: When the property transferred, the County’s building insurance policy was amended to add BF Yancey to the portfolio, using FES’s current administrative budget. The efforts related to the planning process require only staff time, which will be absorbed into existing departmental budgets. Future building use, operations, and maintenance will be planned for in FY 19 budget requests.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Provide input on the proposed transition process and Direct the Interim County Executive to appoint the BF Yancey Transition Advisory Committee.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Community Feedback Summary
Attachment B: Transition Team Statements
Attachment C: Proposed Transition Process