TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Timothy Stillings, Development Services Director
THROUGH: Mark R. Lauzier, City Manager
DATE: December 4, 2018
Title
ALWAYS DELRAY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: PRESENTATION OF THE EDUCATION ELEMENT
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Provide comment and direction regarding the proposed Education Element of the Always Delray Comprehensive Plan.
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Background:
The update to the Delray Beach Comprehensive Plan, which has been branded “Always Delray,” began in 2016 with the creation of a Steering Committee, appointed by the City Commission. Community workshops were held to discuss and receive public input on each element. This input was utilized to formulate the draft elements, along with the input of Subject Matter Experts on each topic, which consisted of City Staff, consultants, and community members.
The Education Element expands the focus that was previously limited to Public School Facilities to incorporate community education aspirations and lifelong learning opportunities. The Education Element incorporates and updates the former Public School Facilities Element, as applicable, while demonstrating the importance of education to the City of Delray Beach. The Education Element provides an overview of all Delray Beach public school facilities and their programming. Efforts and collaborations with the City’s Education Board to address identified issues in the community, such as the Campaign for Grade Level Reading and Delray Reads Day are highlighted. The Education Element also recognizes that education is important for residents of all ages, with efforts beginning with the 0-5 year old population to lifelong learners.
The Element is comprised of two documents, the Data, Inventory, and Analysis (DIA) and the Goals, Objectives, and Policies (GOPs). The Education Element sets forth five goals:
Goal EDU 1, Education Advocacy
Continue to advocate for the educational needs of residents by fostering and further developing relationships between the Education Board, local non-profit partners, government entities, and the School District of Palm Beach County.
Goal EDU 2, Quality Education Initiatives
Provide and support initiatives, which improve quality educational opportunities for residents from birth through high school graduation.
Goal EDU 3, Extracurricular and Lifelong Learning Initiatives
Provide and support extracurricular education and lifelong learning initiatives for residents of all ages.
Goal EDU 4, Community Character and Enrichment
Emphasize the importance of educational facility placement and planning within the community by implementing appropriate physical and social infrastructure, which enriches the quality of life for residents in surrounding neighborhoods and instills a sense of community pride, while providing a safe and secure environment for students and school employees.
Goal EDU 5 Public School Coordinated Planning
Coordinate with the School District of Palm Beach County and other local governments for the planning of public educational facilities consistent with the “Interlocal Agreement between the School Board of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County and the Municipalities of Palm Beach County for Coordinated Planning.” (the interlocal agreement), adopted by the School Board of Palm Beach County on August 19, 2015, approved by the Delray Beach City Commission on March 30, 2017, and recorded in the Official Records Book 29301, Page 336.
Note: This draft of the Education Element Goals, Objectives, and Policies may be modified/augmented to coordinate with the recommendations of other Elements as they are finalized.
Review by Others
The Education Element was reviewed by the Steering Committee on April 18, 2018, and further reviewed by the Education Board on October 1, 2018. The recommended revisions by both the Steering Committee and Education Board are incorporated in the draft.
The Planning and Zoning Board held a public hearing on November 5, 2018, and recommended approval of the Education Element on a 4 to 0 vote.
City Attorney Review:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
Any financial impact of the proposed comprehensive plan will be presented at the Transmittal Hearing with the final draft of the plan.
Timing of Request:
Once all elements have been reviewed by the City Commission, final drafts will be prepared for a Transmittal Hearing of the full Always Delray Plan.