The Board of Trustees has formed the Community Committee on Neighborhoods and Schools to develop, with broad stakeholder input, recommendations on standard policy and processes for identification and review of underutilized and overcrowded schools, and for ensuring ongoing stakeholder engagement and participation. Accordingly:

1. The Board will establish the charter for the Committee, including the following mission: To appreciate the importance of relationships between schools, neighborhoods, and community, and to ensure effective and fair solutions to addressing effective, efficient, and fair utilization of school facilities through thorough assessment and active involvement of all stakeholders.

2. The charter of the Committee will have the endorsement of the Joint Subcommittees of the Austin City Council, Travis County Commissioners Court, and Board of Trustees.

3. The membership of the Committee will be appointed by the Board and consist of representatives from a diverse number of stakeholder groups and experts:

• School community members, neighborhood associations, and community groups
• District Advisory Council and Austin Council of PTAs
• City of Austin
• University of Texas and Austin Community College
• Business community

4. The Committee will review current data and research on best practices and successful models (e.g., facility utilization, neighborhood vitality, environmental issues).

5. The Committee will provide various opportunities for stakeholder input (e.g., community surveys, interviews, focus groups) and carefully consider the input received.

6. The Committee will make policy and process recommendations on:

• Criteria for identifying underutilized and overcrowded schools
• Criteria for assessing alternatives (e.g., revitalizing, repurposing, realigning, closing)
• Assessment considerations (e.g., academic performance, environmental implications, use of resources, added value both quantitative and qualitative)
• Opportunities for interlocal collaboration
• Procedures for identifying and ensuring ongoing stakeholder engagement and participation (e.g., neighborhood surveys, input from parents, students, and teachers)

7. The Superintendent will coordinate the work of the Committee and ensure that regular updates are provided to the Board and key communicators within the community, and ensure transparency throughout the process.

8. The Superintendent will also ensure that recommendations of the Committee align appropriately with Board Results Policies and the Strategic Plan.

9. The Superintendent, with input from the Facility Use and Boundary Task Force, will review the recommendations of the Committee and make recommendations to the Board.

10. The Board will consider the recommendations of the Committee and the Superintendent, approve final recommendations, adopt appropriate policy, and direct next steps.

11. The Board may determine that certain exceptions or variances are necessary to any procedures that may be adopted.

12. The Committee will make periodic updates to the Board of Trustees.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on December 4, 2006