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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19940613MINUTES O p 8 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS v O BUDGET WORK SESSION JUNE 13, 1994 The Orange County Board of commissioners met in Regular session on June 13, 1994 for the purpose of holding a budget work session at 7:30 p.m. at the Homestead Community Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.' COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Moses Carey, Jr., and Commissioners Stephen Halkiotis, Alice M. Gordon, Verla C. Insko and Don Willhoit COMY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Assistant County Managers Rod Visser and Albert Kittrell, Deputy Clerk to the Board Kathy Baker, Budget and Management Analyst Donna Dean, Personnel Director Elaine Holmes, Budget Director Sally Kost, and Budget Technician Theresa Pope. The meeting was called to order by Chair Carey who welcomed all in attendance. He indicated that funding for the Chapel Hill/Carrboro and Orange County school systems would be discussed at this work session. School staff and elected officials were asked to join the Commissioners at the discussion table. Commissioner Gordon announced that the Transportation Improvement Program would be approved soon. She distributed the complete Improvement Program report to the commissioners. PRESENTATION BY THE COUNTY MANAGER: John Link made a brief presentation highlighting the schools proposed budget. The recommended per pupil allocation is $1,425, which is a $62 increase. That amount can address the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City schools request for all continuation and additional continuation amounts with the exception of the difference between the requested and recommended start-up costs for the new middle school. He indicated that he was particularly concerned with the increased request for start-up costs for the McDougle Middle,School. The start-up cost for this school, as well as future schools, must be more carefully and accurately projected. After a lengthy discussion of future start-up costs, it was decided , that a formal policy on this issue needs to be established. A motion was made by Commissioner Willhoit that start-up costs be identified, discussed and included in the C.I.P. budget. Commissioner Gordon requested information regarding the $1 million dollars set aside in the bond referendum for technology for each of the schools. She commented that this money has not yet been received by the school system. Chair Carey indicated that Commissioner Willhoit's motion needs to be tabled so that it can be discussed. Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board Member Ken Touw stated that items included in the bond figure were anticipated to last for an extended period of time. Some non-recurring items were actually start up costs but were not funded in the bond. He indicated that the expansion requests were consolidated and formed into a cohesive plan by the School Board. However, these requests came directly from teachers, students 889 and parents. He urged the Board of Commissioners to find the funds to help the schools fund these programs. Superintendent Pedersen agreed that the projected start-up figure for McDougle Middle school was a poor estimate. The salaries for the new principal, support staff, athletic equipment, uniforms, media center and text books were not included in the start up costs. He also indicated that the $1 million dollars for technology was instead allocated to the.' new elementary school. Several school board members commented on the need to fund reading teachers at the elementary school level and increase the salary supplement for teachers. Ken Touw indicated that attempts to request expansion funding are based on priorities set by students, teachers and parents, however, the first priority is to decrease class size. His personal priority is the funding for the technology instructor and funding for violence prevention programs. He indicated that it is anticipated that the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Task Force will be funded by grant money. Neil Pedersen commented on the computer networks that are being created within the school system. This has increased the need for technology support. Commissioner Insko commented that the progress reports supplied by the school administration offer good information, however, she requested that anticipated outcomes be included. Neil Pedersen agreed to supply that information. However outcome information needs more than one year of history. The challenge educators are currently facing is that of changing a mind set. Culture has overemphasized the role that innate ability plays in success. Educators need to understand why certain students opt out of challenging situations. The system cannot afford to have dropouts. He said that the role of the Family Specialist is to bring families into the school. The focus is on the family which allows the school personnel to, concentrate on academics. Increasing the number of Reading Teachers at the middle school level is important. If the student does not read at grade level by middle school, they must receive special attention. John Link indicated that a policy needs to be in place that clarifies what will be funded by taxes and what will be funded by bond money. John Link made a brief presentation highlighting the Orange County Schools proposed budget. Orange County School Board Member Mary Bobbitt-Cooke mentioned that at the Public Hearing parents requested computer network support, technology support, increased teachers pay and teachers voucher's. The Manager's proposal puts the orange County schools at a disadvantage. She requested that the Commissioners consider what the schools need and increase the funding. John Link indicated that the orange County School System used their Fund Balance and money received from the state to fund the expansion budget. He feels that the County has adequately addressed their budget requests. 890 Robert Bateman commented that it was at the County's request that they.spend their fund balance. Commissioner Insko asked why the school system did not fund continuation and additional continuation before funding the expansion budget. John Link indicated that the orange County School System has fewer students this year. The County funds on a per-pupil basis which means that the County cannot make up a shortfall in the continuation budget. Commissioner Willhoit mentioned that the Chapel Hill teachers supplement does not increase with teacher longevity as does the Orange County supplement. He asked if the need to equalize the supplement paid to teachers in the two systems needs to be discussed during this budget process. He requested that data showing length of employment and turn- over rate be provided to the Commissioners. It is important to ascertain if teachers are leaving because of salary. Commissioner Halkiotis indicated that a media center needs to be funded. He requested clarity regarding what will be funded by the bond. Chair Carey requested that the school board work with the County Commissioners in finalizing projections. Robert Bateman requested that the Board of Commissioners consider the needs of the children in northern Orange and fund the school system accordingly. He stated that voters would not adopt a district tax for Northern Orange. Mary Bobbitt--Cooke reported that a recently completed survey concluded that citizens would support a supplement. Chair Carey adjourned the meeting at 10:30 p.m. The next budget work session will be held on June 15, 1994 at 7:30 p.m. at the Homestead Community Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Moses Carey, Jr.; Chair Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk