Regional School Planning

Education is one of the most important issues in the Region, considered by many to be a key hallmark regarding quality of life. It is especially critical as it helps determine the future of our citizens and communities. While educational issues may be highly controversial within communities, the provision of and access to quality education is a broad priority across the region.

To help promote regional efficiencies and solutions regarding school issues, Council established a Regional Schools Working Group in 2005 to provide a regional forum for the discussion and evaluation of issues of common concern as well as the development of consensus solutions for a variety of challenges. This working group consists of school board members, superintendents, and staffs from the four Treasure Coast Region counties (Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River), as well as Okeechobee County, which shares many similar development trends as the four coastal counties. The Regional Schools Working Group meets as needed to discuss topics of concern, which have included population projections, regional development trends, school concurrency, emergency sheltering, budgets and finance, capital cost projections, and legislative updates among others. The Regional Schools Planning Program also includes educational workshops for school boards, school districts, local governments, and others on an as-needed basis.

REGIONAL SCHOOLS WORKING GROUP
CAREER, TECHNICAL & PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION FORUM
NOVEMBER 4, 2011

On November 4, 2011, a series of presentations and panels on career, technical, and professional education was arranged for the Regional Schools Working Group.  Presenters from the five school districts (Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties) addressed career, technical, and professional educational programs in each respective district.  In addition, Indian River State College presented an overview of the college’s programs and facilities.  A copy of each presentation is available below.

Link to Indian River County Career & Technical Education

On November 8, 2010, the Regional Schools Work Group organized a new school board member orientation to brief board members on various regional issues. Below is the presentation from that orientation which includes background information on the Regional Schools Work Group itself, the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, population projections (state, regional, district) for total population and student enrollment, and other regional issues of interest.

SCHOOL PLANNING WORKSHOP – FEBRUARY 13, 2009

On February 13, 2009, Council facilitated a School Planning Workshop to address regional development trends, comprehensive planning, school concurrency, educational finance, construction cost estimating, and legislative issues. The following documents are posted for reference:

Agenda

Handout – Acronyms & Special Terms

Handout – 2009-10 Pre-K-12 Education Budget Recommendations

Handout - 2008-09 Florida Education Finance Program - Third Calculation - Special Session

Manual - Department of Education - Florida Education Finance Program

Presentation – Regional Overview

Presentation – Comprehensive Planning Overview

Presentation – School Concurrency Overview

Presentation – Construction Management At-Risk Fee Guidelines

Presentation – Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast

Presentation – Legislative Issues & Hot Topics