PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE CHEROKEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
AND
THE CITY OF HOLLY SPRINGS
This agreement entered into on this 17th day of October, 2019 by and between the Cherokee County Board of Education, hereinafter referred to as the “School Board,” and The City of Holly Springs hereinafter referred to as the “Holly Springs.”
WHEREAS, the School Board’s mission is to educate the emerging generation through learning environments designed to increase the performance of all students; and,
WHEREAS, one of the School Board’s Major System Priorities is to increase parental and community involvement through public engagement policies and practices that treat parents, businesses, community-based organizations and agencies, local institutions of higher learning and other public entities as true partners in the educational process; and,
WHEREAS, Holly Springs’ mission is to provide efficient and effective municipal services to Holly Springs residents, recognize and collaborate on regional issues in order to maintain and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Holly Springs; and,
WHEREAS, Holly Springs is located in the heart of Cherokee County extending from the Little River to the south, to exit 14 of I-575 to the north, to Marble Quarry Road to the west to Harmony on the Lake Drive to the east; and,
WHEREAS, Holly Springs’ current projections indicate continued growth for years to come and the city plans to take an aggressive and pro-active approach to deal with the anticipated growth.
Now therefore in consideration of the covenants and conditions set forth herein the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
The parties agree that the foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference:
ARTICLE II
The School Board will:
1. Assess no costs to the other party in cases of easement granting.
2. Share information and facilities in emergency situations, such as natural disasters and inclement weather; and share information concerning road conditions, especially in inclement weather.
3. Continue to allow the City use of school facilities upon request, waiving the rental fee as reflected in School Board Policy KG, including, but not limited to, use of the Holly Springs Elementary School parking lot for the City’s annual Autumn Fest and Easter Egg Hunt events.
4. Evaluate and allow joint purchasing opportunities for goods and services on a case-by-case basis.
5. Evaluate and allow on a case-by-case basis alternate financing opportunities by the city to construct infrastructure or acquire land for redevelopment opportunities such as community improvement districts, business improvement districts and tax allocation districts, the City and the Holly Springs Downtown Development Authority.
6. Participate with the city’s long-term planning effort and provide input as to school capacity, planning and construction efforts.
7. Promote ongoing coordinating efforts to assess the locations and types of future population growth. This includes the school system being directly involved in land use projections and discussions of such, so that future school sites will not adversely impact Holly Springs’ plans for land usage. This initiative will include the sharing of database information, such as population trends, enrollment, zoning applications, etc.
8. Develop methods to work in conjunction with the City in its zoning process, so that developers are routinely expected to discuss mitigating the financial impact on the school system and Holly Springs.
9. Recognize and welcome input when initiated or requested by a City representative at School Board meetings, so that school system recommendations and decisions made in such meetings are routinely considered by the City in that forum, as need be.
10. Provide regular opportunities for City representatives to inspect surplus property in order to determine if there may be a need for such property (first right of refusal).
11. Pursue joint grant opportunities in both parties’ best interests.
12. Promote the City’s community special events through existing communication channels, as permitted by School Board policy.
13. Track developer contributions collected by the City on behalf of the School Board and provide the City with an annual report of capital improvement investments made at schools attended by students from the City.
ARTICLE III
Holly Springs will:
1. Assess no costs to the other party in cases of easement granting of City-controlled property.
2. Assess no costs to the other party in terms of storm water impact fees.
3. Share information and facilities in emergency situations, such as natural disasters and inclement weather; and share information concerning road conditions, especially in inclement weather
4. Coordinate needs determinations and future City construction projects with the School Board’s Department of Planning and Forecasting.
5. Evaluate and allow joint purchasing opportunities for goods and services on a case by case basis.
6. Promote ongoing efforts to assess the locations and types of future population growth. This includes the school system being directly involved in land use projections and discussions of such, so that future school sites will not adversely impact City plans for land usage and vice versa. This initiative will include the sharing of database information, such as population trends, enrollment, zoning applications, etc.
7. Work in conjunction with the School Board in the City zoning process to request mitigation of the financial impact of residential developments on the school system.
8. Recognize and reserve time for input for a school system representative at public zoning meetings so that school system analysis and recommendations made in such meetings are routinely considered by the City in that forum. When requested by the School Board, the same courtesy shall be applicable to City Council meetings.
9. Include School Board system analysis documentation in zoning packets which are distributed to the Planning Commission and City Council in advance to all public meetings and incorporate a summary of the analysis within the city’s zoning analysis.
10. Provide judges for the School System Science Fair, Young Authors Fair, Governors Honors, Speech Contests and other related functions.
11. Provide and establish a Speakers Bureau list, for City employees to serve as classroom speakers on requested topics.
12. Provide release time with pay to employees in order for them to work with and mentor principals, teachers and students to ensure that student achievement gains are recognized, particularly in the subject areas of science and math.
13. Provide internship opportunities for Cherokee County students as it relates to the School Board’s future Career/Technical Education “Senior Project” requirements in all applicable fields.
14. Pursue joint grant opportunities in both parties’ best interests.
15. Assess fees as each residential building permit is pulled and remit said fees to the School Board on a quarterly basis.
16. Allow the School Board to use the City-owned portion of J.C. Mullins Park upon request, waiving the rental fee and deposit as set forth in the City of Holly Springs Municipal Service Master Fee Schedule.
17. Shall provide portable police radios in the front office of each school within the city to enhance security and communication in the event that the school needs assistance from the City of Holly Springs Police Department.
18. Provide opportunities for Senior Projects for high school students including service as project mentors when staff members and/or volunteers are available.
19. Accept all children/interested participants for participation within its programs without regard to their gender, race, political affiliation, age, national origin or handicapping condition or any other discrimination recognized and prohibited by State or Federal Law. Children/participants with handicaps must be provided all necessary levels of supervision and must be included within the activities of the partnering organization. As a result of this partnership agreement, Holly Springs must adhere to all local, State or Federal laws regarding education.
ARTICLE IV
The term of this contract is October 17, 2019 through October 17, 2020. This contract shall automatically renew for additional terms not to exceed five years unless either party notifies the other at least 60 days prior to renewal date.
ARTICLE V
This contract may be terminated by either party upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other party with or without cause. All notice of this contract shall be given to the Superintendent of Cherokee County Schools at PO Box 769, Canton, Georgia 3011469, and to the City Manager of Holly Springs, at 100 Hickory Circle, P.O. Box 990, Holly Springs, Georgia 30142.