Schools are constructed by local school districts following state guidelines. Local jurisdictions such as the County, which normally have statutory responsibility for overseeing land development activities, have very little authority to influence either the siting or the design of public schools. East Contra Costa County in particular has experienced safety and circulation issues with schools placed in areas with very little supportive transportation infrastructure. In addition to the circulation and safety issues, conflicts between local land use authorities and school districts, agencies that have different goals, inevitably arise.  
  
Superintendent Torlakson's office released a report in 2011 entitled, "Schools of the Future Report" which includes recommendations for reforming school siting practices. The Board of Supervisors, on May 8, 2012, sent a letter to the Superintendent congratulating him on his report and indicating our interest in participating in any implementation. Subsequent to the Superintendent's report, the State commissioned a separate study entitled "California’s K-12 Educational Infrastructure Investments: Leveraging the State’s Role for Quality School Facilities in Sustainable Communities". Implementation of the recommendations of both studies has been initiated.   
  
The Legislation Committee recommended that the Board of Supervisors transmit a letter to the Superintendent strongly indicating the need to consult with local jurisdictions on the matter of school siting.   
  
The Committee's recommendations are consistent with the following policy positions in the County's 2012 State Legislative Platform:   
  
Transportation Issues:  
120. SUPPORT efforts to improve safety throughout the transportation system.  
123. SUPPORT efforts to coordinate development of state-funded facilities such as courts, schools, jails and state offices with local planning.   
  

Promoting improved siting and design of schools as advocated in the Schools of the Future Report and California’s K-12 Educational Infrastructure Investments: Leveraging the State’s Role for Quality School Facilities in Sustainable Communities report will better integrate our education facilities with their surrounding community and encourage more walking and bicycling to school. Anticipated outcomes are better designed communities that promote a more healthy lifestyle for our children.  

By unanimous vote, the Board accepted the new draft of the letter for consideration.

AUTHORIZED the Chair to sign a letter addressed to Tom Torlakson, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, as amended to: include the California League of Cities, Counties Schools Partnership in the list of agencies to work with (paragraph 3); add the Contra Costa Mayors Conference and Mr. Randell H. Iwasaki, the incoming Executive Director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to the distribution list.