HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04-26-2016 1
APPROVED 5/17/2016
MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
JOINT MEETING
April 26, 2016
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a joint session with the Chapel
Hill—Carrboro Board of Education and the Orange County Board of Education on Tuesday,
April 26, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Earl McKee and Commissioners Mia
Burroughs, Mark Dorosin, Barry Jacobs, Bernadette Pelissier, Renee Price and Penny Rich
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy Clerk Travis
Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna S. Baker (All other staff members will be identified
appropriately below)
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Donna Coffey,
and Board Members Brenda Stephens, Steve Halkiotis, Millicent Rainey, and Superintendent
Todd Wirt and Deputy Superintendent Pam Jones were also present.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS ABSENT: Tom Carr, Tony
McKnight, Jessica Aguilar
CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO CITY SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chair James Barrett and Board Members Joal Broun, Rani Dasi, Pat Heinrich, and Margaret
Samuels and Superintendent Tom Forcella, and Assistant Superintendent Todd LoFrese were
also present.
CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO CITY SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS ABSENT:
Annetta Streater and Andrew Davidson
Chair McKee called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Chair McKee noted the following items at everyone's places:
- White sheet— supplement levels and teachers' status on base salaries
- Green sheet— draft resolution to increase per pupil funding and fully fund public
schools on the state level
Welcome and Opening Remarks — Chair Barrent, Chair Coffey and Chair McKee
Chair McKee welcomed everyone and applauded the districts' efforts to work
collaboratively towards the best education possible for the children of Orange County.
Chair Coffey said she looked forward to a good and productive meeting.
Chair Barrett thanked all for being here tonight. He said he is excited about the budget
in front of the Board, noting it focuses on raising teacher salaries.
1) Follow-up Discussion from the April 12, 2016 County/Schools Work Session
Bonnie Hammersley said the Managers and Superintendents met last week and
discussed a process for updating the construction standards. She said Orange County will
2
review them first, and will then work with the schools' staff. She said this will be brought back
to all of the boards in the fall.
2) Presentation of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools
Boards of Education Approved FY2016-17 Budgets
Tom Forcella said this is a joint presentation, and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
(CHCCS) will speak first.
Tom Forcella said the needs of both school districts were studied closely, and it was
found that the needs are similar. He thanked both Boards of Education for a willingness to try
something different this year and for engaging in conversation prior to this meeting.
Tom Forcella recognized Durham Tech leaders, noting the efforts made by all to find
ways for the schools to partner with Durham Tech.
Tom Forcella said each superintendent will present an overall perspective, and then
staff will make a collaborative presentation regarding each district's budget.
Tom Forcella said the CHCCS budget request focuses mainly on teacher salaries and
keeping the local supplement competitive. He said the CHCCS teacher turnover rate is about
18%, and the Board of Education (BOE) prioritized a teacher supplement increase prior to any
other budget request. He said the BOE determined this prioritization was needed to be able to
compete for teachers in this region.
Tom Forcella said Project Advance will not affect this particular budget; but going
forward, teacher compensation would be determined by professional growth instead of years
of service.
Tom Forcella said the Board will see that CHCCS has worked closely with the Orange
County Schools (OCS) on these budget requests.
Todd Wirt said the districts have worked together collaboratively on these proposed
budgets, and the OCS budget supports their strategic plan.
Pam Jones and Todd LoFrese made the following PowerPoint presentation:
ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS
CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO CITY SCHOOLS
Pam Jones presented this portion of the presentation:
OCS 2016-17 Budget Request
FY17 Student Enrollment Projection
• FY17 District Enrollment Projection: 7,981
— Includes DPI ADM projection of 7,551 (kids in seat)
— Includes 519 charter students based on FY 2016 actual (additional)
— Out-of-district students reduction (currently 89)
• Revenue at current per pupil: $29,509,748
Total Continuation and Expansion Request
• Continuation: $1,886,240
• FY2016 Per Pupil = $3,697.50
• Per Pupil required to fund continuation only is $3,851
• An additional $153 per pupil required continuation only
• Expansion (Supplements): $1,900,000
• Total additional funds requested: $3,786,240
3
• Per Pupil required for continuation and expansion is $4,088, a $391 increase over
FY2016.
Expenses: Continuation Only
• MANDATED SALARY/BENEFITS INCREASES:
— Projected at 5% Certified; 3% Classified staff
• Student Growth (25 students)
• Charter School students growth (165 students) $ 1,496,240
• FEDERALLY FUNDED POSITIONS (e.g. Title I) $ 130,000
— Salary and benefit increases
• Exceptional Children's Program added classes $ 260,000
Total: $1,886,240*
*1;153 liiincre se in current per pupliilll woullld e required
CHCCS
Todd LoFrese presented the following PowerPoint slides:
2015-17 Student Enrollment Projection
2016-17 DPI Enrollment Projection 12,017
Less: Out-of-County Students (241)
Plus Charter School Students (projected) 271
Total County Resident Students 11,993
Projected Local Continuation Budget Increases
State Mandates
• 5% state pay raise for teachers $1,106,000
• 3% pay raise for other employees $ 683,647
• State retirement match increase (15.32% to 15.47% estimated) $ 244,845
• Employer health insurance match increase ($5471 to $5580 estimated) $ 96,200
Subtotal $2,130,692
Continuation of Current Services
• Continued funding for state teacher assistant budget reduction $ 306,161
• Human Resources compliance position (mid-year hire) $ 55,000
• Accounts Payable technician/position upgrade (mid-year hire) $ 30,000
Subtotal $ 391,161
TOTAL OF CONTINUATION BUDGET REQUESTS $2,521,853
Local Expansion Budget Requests
Priority Expansion Requests
• Teachers' Local Supplement Proposal $1,840,983
• Classified Employee Pay Study Salary Adj. - 2nd Phase $ 200,000
• Tuition Reimbursement Program for EC Teacher Assists. $ 50,000
Total Expansion Requests $2,090,983
Total of State Mandates, Continuation of Current Services, and Priority Expansion
Requests
• Mandates $2,130,692
4
• Current Services $ 391,161
• Expansion $2,090,983
GRAND TOTAL $4,612,836
Revised Projected Local Revenue Changes
ADDITIONAL REVENUE NEEDED $4,612,836
Less Projected Local Revenue Changes:
• 1.5% Inflationary Increase to District Tax $ 331,415
• Net Changes to other Local revenues (183,784)
• Total $ 147,631
Required Increase in County Appropriation $4,465,205
REQUIRED PER PUPIL INCREASE $446.76
EQUIVALENT TO 4.40 CENTS AD VALORUM TAX INCREASE
CURRENT PER PUPIL $3697.50+ $446.76 increase = $4,144.26 for 2016-17
Recruitment and Retention is our Budget Priority
• Turnover rates are at all-time highs
• Difficulty recruiting Math, Science, Exceptional Children, and even elementary
classroom teachers
• NC School of Education enrollment down 30% (source DPI)
• Increased regional competition
• Both districts have prioritized local supplement increases
Commissioner Rich asked if there is a specific body that oversees charter schools.
Todd LoFrese said a branch within the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), and the
district has no involvement, other than to serve as a pass through for funds.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if the funding per pupil in charter schools is the same as
students in regular public schools, even though public schools have to provide many additional
services than the charter schools.
Todd LoFrese said yes.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if it must be done this way.
Todd LoFrese said it is state law.
Pam Jones said legislation is expected that will allow charter schools to lay claim to
local districts fund balances and grant monies.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if a charter school purchases property and then goes out
of business, to whom would the property revert.
Todd LoFrese it would ultimately revert back to the local school district, but it more
common for charter schools to rent properties.
Pam Jones said virtual charter schools do not get the same funding as brick and mortar
charter schools.
Pam Jones resumed the presentation:
Sole Expansion Request
• $1,900,000*: Supplement Adjustments
*EXPANSION REQUEST requires $238 increase in current per pupil
OCS Supplements
* PAY BANDS BASED ON ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS EXPERIENCE ONLY
• CURRENT PAY BANDS*
5
• 10%--Non-Tenured
• 11.5%--Under 10 Years
• 14%--Over 10 Years
• 12%--Directors
• 8%--Coordinators
• 6%--Classified Staff
• PROPOSED PAY BANDS*
• 14%--0-5 Years
• 16%--6-13 Years
• 18%--14-20 Years
• 20%--20+ Years
• 13%--Directors
• 9%--Coordinators
• 7%--Classified Staff
Commissioner Dorosin asked about supplements for experienced teachers that move
from county to county. He clarified that OCS only recognizes experience within Orange
County, and asked if CHCCS is the same.
Todd LoFrese said CHCCS recognizes experience from anywhere.
Commissioner Dorosin said starting a teacher with experience at zero, when they arrive
in Orange County, seems counter intuitive to recruiting quality teachers. He asked if the
practices of other counties are known.
Todd LoFrese said Wake County pays what is on the teacher's state license.
Commissioner Dorosin said there cannot be such disparity between the local counties,
especially if the hiring of high quality teachers is the goal.
Tom Forcella said to rectify this practice and adjust the supplements all in one year,
would require a substantially higher dollar amount.
Todd LoFrese said this practice was tied to the tenure process, and once a teacher is
tenured, they are released according to years of experience on their certification.
Assistant Principal Supplements
*PAY BANDS BASED ON ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS EXPERIENCE ONLY
CURRENT PAY BANDS*
Assistant Principals
— 11.5%--Under 10 Years
— 14% ---Over 10 Years
PROPOSED PAY BANDS*
Assistant Principals
• Appropriate experience pay band plus:
— 1%--ELEMENTARY A/P
— 3%--MIDDLE SCHOOL A/P
— 5%--HIGH SCHOOL A/P
Supplements
• Supplement Increase
— Certified Staff $1,783,000
6
– Classified Staff $ 117,000
$1,900,000
Beginning Teacher Impact Example
CURRENT
• 0 YEARS OF SERVICE
• SALARY—BACHELOR'S: $35,000
• SUPPLEMENT (10%): $ 3,500
TOTAL ANNUAL SALARY-BACHELOR'S: $38,500
• SALARY—MASTER'S: $38,500
• SUPPLEMENT: $ 3,850
TOTAL ANNUAL SALARY: MASTER'S $42,350
• SALARY—DOCTORAL: $49,236
• SUPPLEMENT $ 4,924
TOTAL ANNUAL SALARY DOCTORAL $54,160
PROPOSED
• 0 YEARS OF SERVICE
• SALARY—BACHELOR'S: $35,000
• SUPPLEMENT (14%): $ 4,900
TOTAL ANNUAL SALARY-BACHELOR'S $39,900
• SALARY—MASTER'S: $38,500
• SUPPLEMENT: $ 5,390
TOTAL ANNUAL SALARY: MASTER'S $43,890
• SALARY—DOCTORAL: $49,236
• SUPPLEMENT $ 6,893
TOTAL ANNUAL SALARY DOCTORAL $56,129
Veteran Teacher Impact Example
CURRENT
• 20-YEARS OCS EXPERIENCE
• SALARY—BACHELOR'S: $46,500
• SUPPLEMENT (14%): $ 6,510
TOTAL ANNUAL SALARY: BACHELOR'S $53,010
• SALARY—MASTER'S: $51,150
• SUPPLEMENT: $ 7,161
TOTAL ANNUAL SALARY: MASTER'S $58,311
• SALARY—DOCTORAL: $53,680
• SUPPLEMENT $ 7,515
TOTAL ANNUAL SALARY: DOCTORAL $61,195
PROPOSED
• 20-YEARS OCS EXPERIENCE
7
• SALARY—BACHELOR'S: $46,500
• SUPPLEMENT (20%): $ 9,300
TOTAL ANNUAL SALARY: BACHELOR'S $55,800
• SALARY—MASTER'S $51,150
• SUPPLEMENT $10,230
TOTAL ANNUAL SALARY: MASTER'S $61,380
• SALARY—DOCTORAL: $53,680
• SUPPLEMENT $10,736
TOTAL ANNUAL SALARY: DOCTORAL $64,416
Commissioner Jacobs asked if OCS does exit interviews.
Pam Jones said the OCS Human Resources department does these, and some people
are forthcoming, while others are not.
Commissioner Jacobs said there is no empirical data to understand the reasons that
teachers are leaving.
Todd LoFrese said there is historical data reported on an annual basis, which highlights
by reason.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if this information could be forwarded to the Board.
Todd LoFrese resumed the presentation:
CHCCS Supplement Expansion Request
• Requesting $1,840,983 to increase the district's local supplement
Current CHCCS Supplements - graph
Area School District Supplements - graph
Current Teacher Supplement Wake vs. CHCCS - graph
Current Teacher Supplement Wake vs. CHCCS- Ex. Children - graph
April 7, 2016 Board Action
--Approved a Supplement Increase for New Teachers and those who opt into ADVANCE
--Positively impacts 900+ teachers (over 75%)
--Restores Competitive Position
--Base Compensation is Critical
Chair McKee asked if the Wake County teacher assistant (TA) to child ratio is less than
CHCCS.
Todd LoFrese said yes. He said having a TA in a classroom is a benefit.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if there is survey data from teachers about what is the
basis for job satisfaction. He asked if it is the salary, the supplement, the TA, proximity to
home, additional support staff, etc.
Todd LoFrese said he does not have that information, but everything sited by
Commissioner Jacobs are factors.
Tom Forcella said in his experience in other parts of the country where there are
teachers' unions, salary was always the highest indicator of job satisfaction.
8
Commissioner Price clarified that Tom Forcella is saying teachers would rather have
higher salaries than a TA. She asked if this is true in CHCCS.
Tom Forcella said he cannot speak for every teacher, and he said the goal is to get
closer to the Wake County supplement. He said Teacher Assistants (TAs) are important, but if
a teacher cannot afford to pay rent and buy food, the value of the TA drops.
Commissioner Price asked if, as it relates to success in the classroom, it is more
important for a teacher to have a high salary than a TA.
Tom Forcella said he would prefer to have high quality teachers, and to do so, salaries
must be competitive.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if the budget proposal should be to reduce the number of
TAs in order to pay for the increase in the teacher supplement.
Tom Forcella said the best possible scenario is a high quality teacher with a TA in the
classroom. He said to remain competitive teachers' salaries must be raised.
Chair Barrett said CHCCS has larger class sizes in comparison to other districts across
the State. He said this is due to there being a TA in the classroom. He said it is a balancing
act.
Todd LoFrese resumed the presentation:
2016-17 Certified Supplements - chart
Salaries, Supplement, and ADVANCE
• Teacher pay = 3 components
— State base
— Local supplement (eventually all at 16%)
— ADVANCE differentials beginning 2017-18
• Budget Request for 2016-17:
— Fund 16% Supplement
— Remain competitive
• 2017-18 and beyond: ADVANCE goal is to be cost neutral based on attrition
Commissioner Dorosin clarified that the request is to make the supplement 16% across
the board, regardless of experience, for new employees. He asked if the BOE approved the
Project Advance program on April 7th
Todd LoFrese said that vote was to increase the supplement from 12-16% for all new
teachers, and for current teachers with zero to 19 years of experience.
Commissioner Dorosin said the District has already committed to fund this raise, and
asked if the BOCC does not fund the full request, will the BOE find the money somewhere in
existing funds, at the expense of other projects.
Todd LoFrese said yes, as this is the only way to stay competitive during recruitment
season.
Commissioner Dorosin said it seems that Wake County still has a graduated model,
and asked if the new model in CHCCS will be graduated.
Tom Forcella said no, but if the teachers earn the Advance dollars then CHCCS is
competitive to Wake County. He said the speed at which teachers earn these dollars will vary.
Commissioner Rich asked if teachers in Wake County must earn extra dollars.
Tom Forcella said CHCCS teachers will all get 16%, but must earn additional dollars
through professional development.
Todd LoFrese said Wake County is a longevity-based system.
9
Commissioner Jacobs asked if the goal of the Wake County Schools is to reach the
national average in teacher salary in the next five years.
Todd LoFrese said yes.
Commissioner Jacobs asked if CHCCS considered doing something similar, to allow
time for the legislature to change and release some of the burden on Orange County.
Todd LoFrese said the long-term cost of settling on third or fourth choice teachers is
unknown. He said the action taken in the fall was step one in a 5-year plan for Wake County.
He said CHCCS is trying to catch up with Wake County; but if Wake County keeps moving
forward, then the gap continues to increase.
Pat Heinrich said he echoed Todd LoFrese's comments. He said it is already difficult to
fill some of the Exceptional Children (EC) and elementary positions. He said this problem
would only increase if CHCCS continues to be behind Wake County.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if in CHCCS, unlike Wake County, there is not going to
be any differentials for EC teachers.
Todd LoFrese said signing bonuses are offered for high need teaching areas, such as
math, science and EC.
Commissioner Dorosin asked if the number of participants that the $50,000 program
can cover is known.
Todd LoFrese said ten teachers over two years.
Commissioner Price said with the existing schedule, a teacher with 20 years of
experience does better is CHCCS than Wake County. She asked if this will be the same with
the new system.
Todd LoFrese said if a teacher moves through the Advance program at a reasonable
pace, that teacher would be at 20-25%; which makes up the difference. He said a teacher that
moves through the Advance system quickly could earn a higher salary faster than under the
current model.
Chair McKee asked if recruiting quality teachers is a problem across the State. He said
he understands that Wake County is experiencing these same problems.
Tom Forcella said Wake County did not have their new salary schedule in place during
recruitment season last spring.
Chair Barrett said Wake County has 157,000 students, so it will always be recruiting,
and have more openings at any given time than CHCCS, and thus more opportunities.
Commissioner Dorosin said CHCCS is proposing is 2.66% tax increase, and OCS is
proposing a 2.26% tax increase. He asked if the BOEs sense that Orange County residents
will pay more for schools. He said this is a lot to ask of the residents.
Steve Halkiotis said that is a decision the Board of County Commissioners has to make,
and the BOE are just asking for what the children need.
Rani Dasi said these requests have been communicated to the community, and it
seems the community will lend its support.
Chair McKee said CHCCS has moved forward with the plan to raise teacher
supplements, and asked if there is a fall back plan if the BOCC does not honor all of the
requests.
Chair Barrett said if the topic of cuts is greatly discussed, employees get nervous and
may look for other jobs. He said if the requests are not fully funded, then hard decisions will
have to be made going forward.
Chair McKee said deciding about the supplement before the Board of County
Commissioners has an opportunity to discuss it makes things difficult.
Pat Heinrich said the CHCCS BOE did conclude that if the requests are not fully
funded, there will have to be a dramatic shift in how the education is delivered to the children.
10
Chair McKee said he understands this, but noted there is also a bond on the horizon,
which will call for tax increases as well.
Commissioner Jacobs thanked the CHCCS BOE for taking a different approach than
their predecessors, who repeatedly used the threat of cuts to get what they wanted. He said
this ratcheted up the conversation and caused a lot of distress for all involved. He said he
greatly appreciates the straight discussion.
Commissioner Jacobs said the CHCCS took the 16% supplement action, on the
understanding that there may be consequences. He said this is the reason that he bought up
the idea of phasing it in.
Commissioner Jacobs suggested there should be a fall back position.
Chair Coffey said the budget requests were not easy decisions. She said the requests
could have been a lot larger, because the needs are great. She said if things do not improve
in Raleigh, the list of needs will only grow.
Chair Coffey said it is their responsibility to present the needs. She said tonight there is
a community-wide need, and this is the first time that these two budgets have been so similar.
Margaret Samuels said if teachers are weaker in the lower grades, issues for kids may
get worse going forward. She said this is the year that the teachers must be supported.
Commissioner Rich said all involved want to support teachers. She said this is a never-
ending issue, and it is difficult to sustain long term. She said higher taxes are driving people
out of the County.
Commissioner Price echoed Commissioner Rich's comments. She said there is an
income gap in Orange County, and it is one of the worst in the country.
Commissioner Price said she is concerned about the children in Orange County,
especially those on reduced and free lunches. She asked if free lunches can be provided to
all, so as to avoid the stigma of having to get special assistance.
Commissioner Dorosin said the loss of tenure will make the competition for staff worse.
Pam Jones resumed the presentation:
Fund Balance Appropriation for OCS
Fund Balance Appropriation approved for:
• $286,909: One-year pilot: Universal Breakfast Service at K-5 schools
• $175,000: One-year pilot: Elementary School Environmental Enhancement Program
• $62,000: Efficiency study recommendations
• $86,000: Wrecker for school buses
• $62,000: Mini-track loader for Maintenance
• $30,000: On-line enrollment program for students
Total Fund Balance Appropriation: $701,909
Pam Jones said the threshold for the OCS fund balance is 3% and 5.5% for CHCCS.
She said OCS may raise this in the future.
Todd LoFrese resumed the presentation for CHCCS:
Fund Balance Projection
• Projected Unassigned Fund Balance as of 6/30/16:
$3,900,000 to $4,400,000
• FY2017 Fund Balance Appropriation: $701,909
Fund Balance
• 6/30/2016 unassigned fund balance est. $4.1 - $4.6 million
11
• Board 2016-17 budget assigns $1,868,000
• We estimate that we could appropriate up to $900,000 for 2016-17 budget needs and
still maintain the targeted undesignated fund balance of 5.5%.
• Ideally this should be used for one-time expenditures
Chair McKee asked if the above figures exclude the fund balance that was
appropriated in December.
Todd LoFrese said that is correct. He said it is a part of the total budget request for
balancing the budget.
Commissioner Burroughs said she is pleased that the two districts are working
collaboratively.
Commissioner Burroughs said she is not in a panic yet about the budget requests, and
she complimented the Manager on her hires for the Chief Financial Officer and Deputy
Manager. She said more details will be known about the budget this year, and there may be a
little wiggle room.
Commissioner Burroughs said there are things that the BOCC can delay in funding.
Commissioner Dorosin appreciated the collaboration, and said the goal next time
should be to come in with the same per pupil request for both districts.
Commissioner Dorosin said it is a mistake to consider these times as a crisis, because
this is the current reality, which may last another four years given the issues in the legislature.
He said there are also other counties that do not prioritize education.
Commissioner Dorosin said the school districts should look at what else goes into
recruitment and retention of teachers. He said there are other factors besides pay that drives
teachers out of their jobs, some of which are uniquely in control of the BOE.
Commissioner Dorosin extended his sincere compliments to OCS for adopting a
resolution asking for the repeal of HB2.
Commissioner Pelissier said one of her concerns is that less people are going into
education training, and therefore there will be less people from which to recruit. She said she
wanted to know how many teachers are leaving due to actually leaving the profession. She
echoed the compliments to the districts for their collaborative efforts.
Commissioner Pelissier referred to the tax issue, and said her real concern is that
services continue to increase in cost, and the government needs to be able to respond
accordingly to be able to provide services and education. She said there certainly must be
serious thought given prior to raising taxes. She said it is a complex topic, and general
statements can be harmful. She said a lot is being done for those in need in Orange County.
Chair Barrett referred to Commissioner Burroughs comments regarding a state increase
in teacher pay, and said the legislature may cut other items, thus eradicating any buffer that
may be in place.
Chair Barrett said part of the reasons there are cuts in education at the state level is
because the income taxes were cut. He said this difference may have to be made up locally.
Steve Halkiotis thanked the Board of County Commissioners for what it can do in
regards to education. He said it was wonderful to see the two districts work together. He said
there is a rise in serious needs amongst the families of Orange County, but he knows the
BOCC and the BOEs are going to do the very best with the resources available in these times
where education is under attack.
Todd Wirt said for years the value of experience within Orange County Schools has
been stressed. He said OCS understands that a great number of variables go into recruitment
and retention, and commitments are being made to these things when possible. He said he
wants higher salaries for the teachers, and he wants TAs, as both are valuable.
12
Rani Dasi thanked the BOCC for its support of education. She said salary is not the
highest priority for teachers, when it is within a normal range. She said her salary as a starting
teacher 25 years ago is the same as what the districts are seeking to offer now, noting that
there are many inflationary issues to consider. She said the State has created this problem,
but the children cannot wait another year to have a quality teacher.
Commissioner Jacobs wanted to bring up the topic of raising school impact fees. He
said this topic should be considered going forward and possibly before the summer break. He
said this is a tool at their disposal, which should be pursued, especially given the expected
continued growth in Orange County in the coming years.
Chair Coffey asked if Commissioner Jacobs would like for both school boards to pass a
resolution. She said the OCS BOE has discussed this recently, and it may be in favor of
making this request.
Steve Halkiotis asked if a history of collections and appropriations for the last 10 years
could be provided.
Chair McKee asked staff to pull this information together and send it to both school
boards.
Chair McKee thanked the schools for their efforts.
A motion was made by Commissioner Rich, seconded by Commissioner Price to
adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board
Earl McKee, Chair