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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19930608 v 3`75 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 8, 1993 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at .th-e Homestead Community Center in Chapel Hill to hold a public hearing on the Manager's recommended 1993-94 budget. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr. , and Commissioners Alice M. Gordon, Stephen H. Halkiotis, Verla C. Insko and Don Willhoit. COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr. , Assistant County Managers Albert Kittrell and Rod Visser, Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe, Budget and Management Analyst Donna Dean, Personnel Director Elaine Holmes, Budget Director Sally Kost and EMS Director Nick Waters. PRESENTATION BY JOHN M. LINKs_JR. John Link used transparencies to outline the 1993-94 budget highlights. In summary he stated that the total budget cost is $60, 577, 088. Additional debt service on the $52 million education bonds will total 2.1 million. The increase in current expense appropriation for the schools from $15.7 million to $16. 8 million is a 7 .2% increase. The per pupil amount would increase from $1,310 to $1,330. He is recommending 2% COLA for County employees and a revised merit plan. The budget includes 17 new permanent full-time positions, many funded through reallocation of other funds or revenues generated. The recommended budget establishes the general fund property tax rate at .83 cent. PUBLIC COMMENTS Theresa Grywalski, teacher at Chapel Hill High School, stated she worked on the task force which developed the School-within-a-School program. This program will take 300 children into a new way of learning which will hopefully reduce crime and reduce the need for child care workers. Teachers have given 360 free hours to develop this program. She asked that John Link fund this program. Sheria Reid, teacher at Chapel Hill High School, stated that the house is on fire and everyone is wondering if they should call the fire.... department. There are children with needs which are not met. Classes are overcrowded. She feels this is not a case of should we -- we have to. Jean Bolduc served on the Blue Ribbon Task Force on the education of African-American students. She feels the system is failing these children. The county schools need leadership and accountability. She asked that the County Commissioners ask questions and publish the answers. The system is going to lose many excellent teachers because of the low salary and supplement. Burt Alexander, teacher at Chapel Hill High School, supports the School-within-a-School program. This is a voluntary program for 9th and 10th graders. The requested funds would pay for two teachers -- not books or AV equipment. He feels that failing to fund the expansion budget threatens this program. He asked that money be allocated from other sources. They are trying to meet the challenge of their students. Bonnie Yankaskas, parent representative on the Chapel Hill High Governance Committee, stated that there has been a tremendous amount of effort to plan for restructuring their schools. She asked that the County 376 please give them the funds they need to be successful. The kids are the losers. Susan Stone, parent representative on the Carrboro Elementary Scho(` Governance Committee, made reference to the $750, 000 allocation for capita and noted that they have many things that need to be corrected and there is no money. They need the carpet replaced because it is hazardous to the students. Also, the bus circle needs curb and gutters. Doorways need to be installed to enhance the quality of the education for their students. She asked that the Board of Commissioners support the school board's proposal. Leigh Peek asked that the Board compare the amount requested by the school boards with what has been recommended. They are not asking for things that are not needed. She asked that the Board look at the individual requests. Mark Royster served as Chair of the Blue Ribbon Task Force. This group requested $134, 000 which will begin to bring a positive change for the African-American students so they can become contributing members to society. This is their future. A positive vote for this increase should not be questioned by anyone. Alton Cheek spoke in support of the expansion budget. The expansion budget would support a program to address violence in the schools. It is a serious problem but not a preventable one. Sarah Stewart, Co-President of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Federation of Teachers, made reference to the $750,000 for capital and questioned why this has not been increased. She stated that this does not keep pace with their needs. She talked about the three new initiatives they would like to begin,. this year. The Chapel Hill/Carrboro Federation of Teachers support bo' school budgets. She asked that the Board of County Commissioners make commitment to education. Anne Barber, teacher, parent and member of the Blue Ribbon Task Force, finds it embarrassing to have to beg and plead every year for funding. She would like to talk about how not to underfund education. Mary Ann Collect, teacher in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School system, asked the Board to relook and rethink what they are doing. Her first priority is the kids. Robin McCoy - asked that they - reconsider the current budget as recommended by the County Manager. She feels the expansion items are important and should be funded. She told about the preschool program that is funded by Reynolds and how it works for children and families. She would not like for this program to end because of a lack of funding. Howard Maniloff understands that the County Commissioners appropriate a lump sum of money but feels it must be larger. He made reference to the Blue Ribbon Task Force and noted they have identified and developed solutions which offer hope. They don't want to lose that hope. He talked about the School-within-a--School program and how it is clearly needed. Teachers are willing to try something new and he does not want to send them a message that no money. is available. .Sandy Williamson, parent and teacher, asked that the Board of Commissioners listen to the people. She does not feel that a program in place should have to be eliminated before new programs can begin. She asked the Board of Commissioners to care about education. Ellen Russell spoke in support of the exceptional programs in Chap Hill/Carrboro. She asked that the Board support the expansion budget. The positions requested are to serve children who exist in the system at this 377 time. Additional teachers are needed in the area of exceptional programs. She supports the budgets for both school systems. Joe Hunt asked when they are going to vote on a district tax and when they are going to merge the two systems. He noted that the priority is the children and they are willing to do what is necessary. His children are worth the sacrifice. He is willing to pay for adequate staffing and •for whatever is necessary to meet the needs of the children. Allen Spalt emphasized that both systems need large funding -- more than what is proposed. He acknowledged that good education is expensive and that adequate local funding can make a difference. He feels it is a disgrace that the budget does not fund the entire continuation budget or any of the expansion items. He asked that the Board fund the entire budget. Jay/Gretchen/Anne/Hannah Shope talked about the School-with in-a-School program. This program is important and they hope it will spread. This program will help those students who need it the most. Hannah Shope spoke in support of the School--within-a--School program. She strongly supports the addition of a counselor for the junior class at the High School.' Jasmine Beach Ferrara spoke in support of the School-within-a-School . program. It is the first program that can make a difference in the lives of students at the High School. She encourages the Board of Commissioners to fund this program. Susan Smith stated that the teachers do spend money for the students in the classrooms. They buy things as the need arises. Most teachers have to create their motivational incentives for children who have no incentive. They are building tomorrow today. Teachers value their work. She is concerned about increasing crime and the need for four deputies in the budget. She asked that education be given more of the budgetary pie. Maguerite Peebles stated that there are 1,850 students at Chapel Hill High School. She is an administrator and noted that Chapel Hill has all the problems that other schools have. They are trying to restructure and have made an attempt to develop strategies to address these problems. The proposed budget will not allow these new initiatives to be developed. The need is to provide the best and most appropriate options possible which is a restructured education but they need the financial resources in order to provide programs that are needed in the expansion budget. She asked that . the County Commissioners support the schools and in particular the expansion budget. Ken Touw, member of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School Board, stated that what is being said is that the two school systems have very real needs and that both need additional funding beyond the Manager's recommendation. He hopes they can talk about merger and funding equity. Pam Bailey spoke in support of increased funding for the- two school systems. Their expansion program can make a difference in the quality of education if they are given a chance to recruit and train volunteers. The lack of money limits the implementation of programs to help their students. Lavonda Burnette is a concerned parent and a member of the Blue Ribbon Task Force. She asked that the Board allocate money to at least fund some of the $134, 000 they need for their expansion . items. This will give the community some hope and show that the Board wants to work to alleviate these problems. John Thomas, volunteer and Chairperson for the Exceptional Children Advisory Council, talked about his wish list. He wished that they had more money coming from the Federal Government and the State but they don't. He 378 wished that the Chapel Hill system was not growing but it is. He wished the number of exceptional children was not increasing but it is and lastly he wished he didn't have to come to this budget hearing to ask that the budget be fully funded as requested by the school systems. Merrily Neill is a mother of two children in High School. She spoke in support of the expansion budget. She values education and feels the expansion budget will initiate change. Angela Bullock, parent at the Glenwood Elementary School, stated that the Partners for Academically Social Success (PASS) program has been successful and rewarding. She hopes this program will not be cut. Parents are involved in the education of their children through this program. Barbara Dewey worked in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School district for sixteen years and sees the need for additional funding. She asked that the Board consider a library for the Town of Carrboro. Her group wants to set up a branch as soon as possible. Carrboro does contribute to the Chapel Hill library and to the Orange County library. Dolores Payler stated that education is an important component of life. She spoke in support of the School-within-a-School program. Peter Topping asked that the Board of Commissioners support the Chapel Hill/Carrboro budget request. Nothing is more important than education. The schools cannot afford to go backwards. He represents the Public School Foundation which raises money for education. They will work hard to bring in additional funds and he hopes the Board will also work hard to support the continuing improvement of the system. James Goldstein stated he analyzed eight cost centers to show there is some wasteful spending in the budget. He listed the travel for several county departments. He also noted that dues and subscriptions can be cut. John Waszak, teacher at New Hope Elementary and parent of two children in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School system, asked how they would decide on how much extra to put into the budget. He has a wife who supports his hobby which is teaching. He asked that the Board increase the budget as much as possible for the schools. Richard Kennedy thanked the Board for approving the impact fees. He feels there is a tremendous waste of money on paper used. He feels there are inefficiencies in the government and the schools.. Pressure needs to be put on the county school system to do something about a district tax. He feels that things need to be done. He suggested a district tax, increasing the property tax, merge the systems, recruit private schools, state lottery, etc. He feels that if any revaluation decreased that those properties need to be reviewed. Susanne -Kay asked that the Board consider the requests to increase the school budgets seriously because if the schools are not funded, the schools will be in trouble. ADJOURNMENT With no further comments, Chair Carey adjourned the meeting. The next budget work session will be held on Monday, June 14 , 1993 at 7:30 p.m. at the Homestead Community Building in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Moses Carey, Jr. , Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk