HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2018-006 Resolution regarding K-3 class size reduction implementationRES-2018-006 1 1"V1S1 -,'D
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION REG'ARDI'NG K-3 CLASS S�IZE R. DUCTION
IMPLEMENTATION
WUIEREAS, pursuant to State Law 2017-9, local school districts in 2018-19 are required to set class
size averages in grades K-3 that equal the State classroom teacher Funding ratios and will have to meet
more restrictive indivi&,ql Class size nraximunis across, those grade levels; and
WHE'REAS" all ininiediate reduction in the 1 -3 class size rnaximuni will worsen an already very
difficult environment for local school systems in finding licensed and qualified teachers to fill
classroonis, rnost likely leading to ni,ore classrooms i 'aught by long-term substitutes or lateral-entry
tc=hers who dtr riot have the pedagogy and classroom managernent training necessary; and
WHEREAS, equalizing the average and funded 1 . -3 Class size l7atiOS WHI result in tile IOSS 01' flexibility
to generate State frinding flor teaching positions in pr -ograln enliancen-lent COLU'SeS like art,. MLISiC,
physical education; and,
WtIEREAS, even wheri this fuliding as provided, there are still classrooni space and staffing
challenges in i1niplerneliting tile new K-3 class size requirements which are outlined [)clow; and
WHEREAS, the ininiediate reduction in individual class size nixximurns in grades K-3 would in turn
increase the I'lUmber of physical ClaSSI-00ffls reqUired at these grade [evels, and both the Oratrge County
Schools and ChaPel Hill-Can-born City SC11001S WOUld need to build new new classrooms and/or hi•c
additional teachers in ffiture years; and
WHEREAS, Orange Counly does not have capital funding to build new classrooms or purchase
additional modUlZU classroorns, with a new modular unit requiring approxirnately one year to bring
online; and
WHERE'AS, Boards Of County Conimissioners and Local Boards of Education are already working
together to bUdgct and plan for the 2018-19 acaden-lic year and this issue requires immediate attention
by the North Carolina C ienerzd Assembly;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE 11" RES()LVED that we, the Metilbers of" the Orange Coui'My Board of
Comrnissioners, respectfully request that the North Carolina General Asselubly fully fund small
classes, and slow down the imPlernentation of the 1 -3 class size reductions outlined in State Law 20�17-
9 through a niulti-year phase -in that allows time f,()r tile legislature and school districts to address the
challenges delineated above or fully repeal the class size reductions in its entirety; and
BE I'T FURTHER RESOLVED that [lie North Carolina (jeneral Assenibly approve House Bill 866:
Public School Building Bond Act of 20,1 7, so that districts across North arolina are better able to meet
their school flacility needs associated with class size reduction and grow h
T his the 6t" day of'Febrl.IW)y, 20,1 8,
Mar k )(.)r(,)sii
Orange County Board of (ornmissioners