HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-19-20; 8-a - Minutes 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 19, 2020
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-a
SUBJECT: Minutes
DEPARTMENT: Board of County
Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Draft Minutes (Under Separate Cover) Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board
919-245-2130
PURPOSE: To correct and/or approve the draft minutes as submitted by the Clerk to the Board
as listed below.
BACKGROUND: In accordance with 153A-42 of the General Statutes, the Governing Board
has the legal duty to approve all minutes that are entered into the official journal of the Board's
proceedings.
April 23, 2020 BOCC Virtual Work Session
April 28, 2020 BOCC Virtual Joint Meeting with School Boards
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated with
this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve minutes as
presented or as amended.
1
1 Attachment 1
2
3 MINUTES
4 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
5 VIRTUAL WORK SESSION
6 April 23, 2020
7 7:00 p.m.
8
9 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Virtual Work Session on Thursday, April,
10 23, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
11
12
13 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Rich and Commissioners Jamezetta
14 Bedford, Mark Dorosin, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, Mark Marcoplos, and Renee Price
15 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
16 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
17 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
18 Travis Myren and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker(All other staff members will be identified
19 appropriately below)
20
21 Chair Rich called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
22
23 Due to current public health concerns, the Board of Commissioners is conducting a Virtual Work
24 Session on April 23, 2020. Members of the Board of Commissioners will be participating in the
25 meeting remotely. As in prior meetings, members of the public will be able to view and listen to
26 the meeting via live streaming video orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos and on Orange
27 County Gov-TV on channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable).
28
29
30 1. COVID-19 Pandemic Economic Impact on the FY2020-21 Orange County
31 Manager's Recommended Budtet
32
33 Bonnie Hammersley presented the following item:
34
35 BACKGROUND:
36 The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented human and health crisis. The measures
37 necessary to contain the virus have caused an economic recession. At the present, there is great
38 uncertainty about its severity and duration due to the lack of a vaccine and the public health
39 measures which include social distancing, limited business activity and uncertainty if a second
40 wave occurs following after achieving an apex in the number of reported cases.
41
42 On March 23, 2020, the County Manager directed the Orange County Department Directors to
43 comply with the FY2019-20 Economic Contingency Plan(Attachment A). The implementation
44 of the contingency plan began to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to
45 Orange County government/residents. The strict monitoring of expenditures in the 4th quarter
2
1 helps address the immediate financial challenges and will assist in preserving County services as
2 well as jobs to allow the County to continue to serve Orange County residents. In addition, future
3 measures will be included in the County Manager's Recommended FY2020-21 Budget.
4
5 Due to the timing of the FY2020-21 budget process and the COVID-19 pandemic, the revenue
6 projections Pre-COVID and Post-COVID differ significantly. In an effort to manage expectations
7 prior to the release of the FY2020-21 County Manager's Recommended Budget, the County
8 Manager will share detailed information on the revenue projections for the BOCC at the April
9 23, 2020 work session. The revenue sources projected to be impacted include property tax, sales
10 tax, charges for services including Planning Permits and Sportsplex user fees and occupancy
11 taxes.
12 Bonnie Hammersley made the following PowerPoint presentation:
13
14 FY2020-21 BUDGET PROJECTIONS
15 PRE-COVID VS POST COVID
16 BOCC Virtual Work Session
17 April 23, 2020
18
19 Pre-Covid versus Post-Covid Projections
Pre-Covid Post-Covid $
Projections Projections Difference
PROPERTY & PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX
Tax Rate Increase 1.63 0 $(3,123,224)
Collection Rate Adjustment - Property Tax(Real/Personal) 99.2% 98.7% $ (781,147)
Collection Rate Adjustment - Motor Vehicles 99.9% 99.4% $ (142,485)
SALES TAX
*Sales Tax Growth +5% -4.5% -9% $(2,814,151)
TOTAL $(6,861,007)
20 *Sales Tax projections includes Articles 39, 40 and 42
21
22 Bonnie Hammersley said Covid-19 has challenged staff s assumptions, and this is a brief
23 presentation to update the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).
24 Bonnie Hammersley said the majority of the County's revenue is made up by sales and
25 property taxes. She said the County is in the midst of a phased in tax increase, but staff will not
26 be recommending one this year(it was intended to be a 1.63 cents increase).
27 Bonnie Hammersley said the County's collection rates are number one in the state, and
28 she is doing a modest '/2 percent reduction because of the uncertainty, due to Covid-19. She said
29 staff would normally assume it would collect 99% of property tax, and this will projected at half
30 a percentage point lower. She said the state was projecting a 4-6% increase in sales tax pre-
31 Covid, and she was going to project a 5% increase; and post covid-19 projections are down. She
3
1 said these numbers refer to the general fund,but all funds are having these measures put in place.
2 She said post covid-19 Sales Tax Growth is projected between -4.5 to -9%. She said the
3 County's two primary sources of revenue are anticipating a 6.8 million loss.
4
5 Pre-Covid versus Post-Covid Projections
FY19-20 pre-Covid Post-Covid $ %
Adopted
Projections Projections Difference Difference
REVENUE Budget
Real/Personal Property $ 152,142,471 $157,890,346 $ 154,198,531 $(3,691,815) -2.34%
Motor Vehicles $ 10,770,627 $ 11,530,157 $ 11,175,116 $ (355,041) -3.08%
*Other $ 2,240,833 $ 2,323,992 $ 2,323,992 $ - 0.00%
Sales Tax $ 25,372,861 $ 26,641,504 $ 23,827,353 $(2,814,151) -10.56%
Licenses and Permits $ 313,260 $ 289,000 $ 274,550 $ (14,450) -5.00%
Investment Earnings $ 415,000 $ 1,158,576 $ 515,000 $ (643,576) -55.55%
**Miscellaneous $ 3,040,769 $ 2,892,817 $ 2,642,817 $ (250,000) -8.64%
Charges for Services $ 12,704,833 $ 13,275,581 $ 12,724,996 $ (550,585) -4.15%
Intergovernmental $ 18,278,612 $ 17,977,289 $ 17,977,289 $ - 0.00%
TOTAL $225,279,266 $233,979,262 $225,659,644 $(8,319,618) -3.56%
* Other= Delinquent Taxes, Interest on Delinquent, Beer&Wine Excise Taxes, Animal Taxes etc.
6 **Miscellaneous = Hold Harmless Article 44, Donations, Rent Income, Sale of Surplus Assets etc.
7
8 Bonnie Hammersley said pre-Covid projections expected$8 million coming in, and post-
9 covid projections show an $8 million decrease.
10 Bonnie Hammersley said there are unknowns with delinquent taxes. She said she has
11 aimed to keep intergovernmental spending flat. She said these funds are state and federal, and
12 my increase,but more than likely will be designated for actual uses.
13 Bonnie Hammersley said she will bring a balanced budget to the BOCC on May 5th. She
14 said some tough decisions have been made.
15 Commissioner Dorosin said the "difference" column is based on pre-Covid projections,
16 but if it is compared to the County's 19-20 budget, the difference is not that great. He said it
17 looks much like a continuation budget.
18 Bonnie Hammersley said the $8 million increase from pre-Covid is fairly moderate. She
19 said this is showing status quo, and there are no additional funds for anything more than what
20 existed in 19-20. She said maintaining status quo may also be a challenge. She said the fund
21 balance was $6 million pre-Covid, and more will be needed. She said funds will have to be
22 transferred from other reserves, as well.
23 Commissioner Dorosin referred the intergovernmental funds, and asked if the slide would
24 look mostly the same, even after the County receives these funds.
25 Bonnie Hammersley said not really. She said operations still has an $8 million gap. She
26 said the County may receive an award from the State,but it would be pass-through money, and
4
1 would not impact the gap. She said these funds would help residents, which is crucial, but would
2 not close the gap.
3 Bonnie Hammersley said the purpose is to not fix the issue, but just to give the BOCC a
4 heads up before she presents her budget on May 5th. She said this situation is unprecedented.
5 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the federal government puts $5 million into the County,
6 why is it not counted in the pot.
7 Bonnie Hammersley said it does count for specific items, and must be spent on
8 designated items. She said it does not help with wage adjustments, the schools, etc.
9
10 Commissioner Price referred to the line"investment earnings", and asked if this could be
11 clarified. She said it looks as if staff was expecting a 100% increase. She asked if staff knows
12 how this will factor in to the year ahead, should a recession occur.
13 Bonnie Hammersley said the County makes earnings on cash on hand, through short-
14 term investments, which have been improving in recent years. She said the interest rates have
15 plummeted, and the County is not longer making any interest.
16 Bonnie Hammersley said everything she is putting in the recommended budget for 2020-
17 21 is looking out a full year, and she said there is a hiring freeze in place, which will continue
18 throughout 2020-21. She said staff is also putting together a contingency plan as well, in case
19 things get worse, and she wants to preserve the current workforce.
20 Bonnie Hammersley said staff is working everyday thinking through worse case
21 scenarios, and thus the need for a contingency plan. She said staff is doing everything it can to
22 preserve the services in Orange County.
23 Commissioner Price asked if the $100,000 increase is based on earnings already received.
24 Bonnie Hammersley said the pre-Covid numbers were the expected earnings for this year.
25 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the federal funds, and asked if Bonnie Hammersley
26 presents a budget with $5 million for the Department of Social Services (DSS), and then the
27 federal government gives an additional $5 million (totaling $10 million), can staff move monies
28 to other projects.
29 Bonnie Hammersley said the intergovernmental monies are pass-through funds, and when
30 it comes in it goes to dedicated uses. She said it helps the residents, but the County cannot use
31 these funds liberally for other projects. She said all of these funds come with strings.
32 Travis Myren said the County could not use it to supplant monies in DSS, and it would be
33 an expectation that spending would increase for whatever designated use for which the federal
34 monies were designated.
35 Bonnie Hammersley said staff included the intergovernmental line because it is a revenue
36 source, and it is for services.
37 Chair Rich referred to the $8.3 million, and asked if staff is trying to make this figure
38 zero.
39 Bonnie Hammersley said that is the number that staff has reduced to zero, as will be
40 shown by the balanced budget presented on May 5th
41 Commissioner Price asked if there will be a revaluation.
42 Bonnie Hammersley said that is next year.
43
44 2. Discussion of Manager's Recommended FY 2020-25 Capital Investment Plan (CIP)
45 for Schools and Durham Tech
5
1
2 BACKGROUND: Each year, the County produces a Capital Investment Plan (CIP) that
3 establishes a budget planning guide related to capital needs for the County as well as Schools.
4 The current CIP consists of a 5-year plan that is evaluated annually to include year-to-year
5 changes in priorities, needs, and available resources. Approval of the CIP commits the County to
6 the first year funding only of the capital projects; all other years are used as a planning tool and
7 serves as a financial plan.
8
9 Capital Investment Plan—Overview
10 The FY 2020-25 CIP includes County Projects, School Projects, and Proprietary Projects. The
11 School Projects include Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Orange County Schools, and
12 Durham Technical Community College—Orange County Campus projects. The Proprietary
13 Projects include Water and Sewer, Solid Waste Enterprise Fund, and Sportsplex projects.
14
15 The CIP has been prepared anticipating moderate economic growth of approximately 2% in
16 property tax growth over the next five years, and 4% sales tax growth in Years 2-5. Sales Tax
17 proceeds for Year 1 (FY 2020-21) are estimated to decline by 4.5% due to the current
18 coronavirus pandemic. Many of the projects in the CIP will rely on debt financing to fund the
19 projects.
20
21 This discussion focuses on Schools CIP projects and the Durham Technical Community College
22 —Orange County Campus new academic building project. Note: The page numbers referenced
23 are as they appear in the CIP document. See Attachment A for the Overall CIP Summary(page
24 19), and School CIP Projects Summary(pages 24 and 101).
25
26 FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no immediate financial impact associated with discussion of
27 the FY 2020-25 Capital Investment Plan. It is a long-range financial planning tool with a
28 financial impact in FY 2020-21, if the first year of the CIP is approved by the Board of County
29 Commissioners with the adoption of the Annual Budget.
30
31 Travis Myren and Paul Laughton, Finance and Administrative Services, made the
32 following PowerPoint presentation:
33
34 ORANGE COUNTY
35 CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN
36 School Districts and Durham Tech
37 FY2020-25
38 Board of Orange County Commissioners
39
40 FY 2020-21 CIP (pie chart)
41 FY2020-25 Recommended Capital Investment Plan Funding and Expenditure Cate2ories-
42 graph
6
ExpendituresFunding Source(s) d•d
-Abatement Projects
-Safety& Security
•ADA Requirements
•Indoor Air Quality Improvements
Debt Financing— School Improvements -Athletic Facilities -Mechanical Systems
Debt Financing—Older Schools -Classroom and Building
Lottery Proceeds Improvements -Parking Lot Improvements
Article 46 Sales Tax -Roofing and Waterproofing
$8.4 million in FY20-21 -Doors/Hardware/Canopies
-Electrical Systems -Storm water Management
-Energy Efficiency -Technology
-Furniture and Equipment
-Drainage Improvements
Recurring Capital -Carpet/Tile Installation
$3 million in FY20-21
-Roof Repairs
-Mechanical Repairs
•Deferred Maintenance—Repair and Replacement Projects that do not add
capacity
Deferred Maintenance—Bond Premium -Project List for Supplemental Deferred Maintenance Funds (p.138 &p. 160)
Supplemental Deferred Maintenance •Unfunded Deferred Maintenance Project List
$8.95 million in FY20-21
•$49.2 million CHCCH
•$44.3 million OCS
• Major Facility Construction and Renovations
General Obligation Bond Funding •$11.3 million Orange County Schools
$13.3 million in FY2021-22
•$1.9 million Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools
1
2 FY2020-25 Recommended Capital Investment Plan Assumptions
I I i i i i
7
Article 46 Sales Tax 4.5%Reduction in FY2020-21; Growth Rebounds to 4%
Annually in Future Years
Older School Improvements FY2020-21 Last Year of a Five Year Commitment
Debt Financed School Improvements 2%Annual Growth
Lottery Proceeds $1,402,354 Annually
Recurring Capital $3,000,000 Annually
$3,000,000 Using Bond Premium in FY2019-20 and FY2020-
Deferred Maintenance -Bond Premium 21
Future Bond Premium Uncertain—Eliminated in FY2021-22
and Future Years
Supplemental Deferred Maintenance $30 million over three (3)years. Annual Expenditures Based
on Draw Down Schedule from Schools
General Obligation Bond Last Draw on 2016 General Obligation Bond in FY2021-22
1
2 FY2020-21 Recommended CIP Funding by Funding Source
3
Older School Improvements $ 601,400 $ 398,600 $ 1,000,000
Debt Financed School Improvements $ 2,461,154 $1,631,221 $ 4,092,375
Lottery Proceeds $ 843,376 $ 558,978 $ 1,402,354
Recurring Capital $ 1,804,200 $1,195,800 $ 3,000,000
Deferred Maintenance -Bond Premium $ 1,804,200 $1,195,800 S 3,000,000
Supplemental Deferred Maintenance $ 1,800,000 $4,150,000 S 5,950,000
8
$10,482,600 $9,904,713 $20,387,313
1
2 FY2020-25 Recommended Capital Investment Plan
3
FY277F1 I I FY2021-22I I I '
Recommended
Article 46 Sales Tax $ 1,942,584 $ 2,020,288 $ 2,101,099 $ 2,185,143 $ 2,272,549
Older School $ 1,000,000 $ - $ - $ - $ -
Improvements
Debt Financed School $ 4,092,375 $ 4,174,222 $ 4,257,706 $ 4,342,860 $ 4,429,717
Improvements
Lottery Proceeds $ 1,402,354 $ 1,402,354 $ 1,402,354 $ 1,402,354 $ 1,402,354
Recurring Capital $ 3,000,000 $ 3,000,000 $ 3,000,000 $ 3,000,000 $ 3,000,000
Deferred Maintenance - $ 3,000,000 $ - $ - $ - $ -
Bond Premium
Supplemental Deferred $ 5,950,000 $ 13,600,000 $ 10,450,000 $ - $ -
Maintenance
TOTAL $ 20,387,313 $ 24,196,864 $ 21,211,159 $ 10,930,357 $ 11,104,620
General Obligation Bond $ 13,308,000
GRAND I I4 ;64 $21,211,159 $10,930,357I4 I
4
5 FY2020-25 Recommended Capital Investment Plan-Graph- slide 7
6
7 FY2020-25 Recommended Capital Investment Plan
8 • School Supplemental Deferred Maintenance Program
9 o $30 million over three (3)years
10 o Apply to Deferred Maintenance and Life & Safety Improvements
11 o Allocated by Average Daily Membership
12 ■ CHCCS 60.14%
13 OCS 39.86%
9
1
2 FY2020-25 Recommended Capital Investment Plan
3
Wpgrade security cameras, radios and intercom systems I I I I I
schools
CHCCS HVAC Projects $681,258
• Phillips Middle School HVAC Replacement-
gym($291,258)
• Phillips Middle School HVAC/Heat pumps-
band room($290,000)
• Ephesus Elementary School HVAC controls
($100,000)
CHCCS Architectural &Engineering Feasibility&Design Services $1,300,000
for large capital projects to be completed in Year 2 &Year 3
OCS Continuation of Districtwide Safety/Security Plan $3,500,000
OCS Orange High School Main Hall, Restroom Addition and $650,000
Renovations
TOTAL $6,631,258
MM
4
5 Chair Rich referred to the architectural and engineering feasibility item, and asked if
6 CHCCS has outlined how it would spend the $1.3 million, as it seems a very high number.
7 Travis Myren said CHCCS would do a deep dive into 3 options, and get some clear ideas
8 or possibly bid documents. He said staff will follow up for this deliverable.
9 Commissioner Price asked if CHCCS indicated the need to build new schools.
10 Travis Myren said one option would add some capacity, and the other options would be
11 for renovations.
12 Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is a reason why CHCCS' first year request has
13 increased.
14 Travis Myren said the total is the same, but some funds shifted from year 3 to year 1.
10
1 Chair Rich asked if all of the funds are being borrowed at one time.
2 Travis Myren said no, they would borrow what is required for year one in year one, etc.
3 He said all the money will not be borrowed up front, as there would be interest payments
4 incurred, and the work cannot all be completed in one year, but will take time.
5 Commissioner McKee said this was originally spread out over three years, and asked, if
6 the County will have an austerity budget, would it make sense to spread the austerity across all
7 segments of the financing.
8 Commissioner Dorosin asked if there was an unexpected HVAC crisis to warrant the
9 money in the first year.
10 Travis Myren said he is not aware of any crisis.
11 Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is a reason that CHCCS is front-loading costs, and
12 not spreading them out. He said if these projects were expected in their CIP why move them up.
13 He said now is the wrong time to spend more money.
14 Travis Myren said in absence of this program, these projects would remain on CHCCS'
15 unfunded list.
16 Commissioner Dorosin asked if these projects would be funded eventually, regardless.
17 Travis Myren that is possible.
18 Commissioner Marcoplos referred to page 107 in the CIP, and said there is $255,000
19 listed under capital and building improvements, to include water infiltration at Phillips and
20 Ephesus, playground improvements, and mobile classroom repairs.
21 Commissioner Marcoplos said the issues at Phillips Middle School baffle him. He said
22 this school was the poster child for neglect, and money was allocated last year, but the problem is
23 still there. He would like to know more about what happened there.
24 Commissioner Marcoplos said the BOCC got an email today from a Chapel Hill resident,
25 expressing concerns that he has heard from others about needing clarity on the financial issues
26 that are swirling around CHCCS. He said the BOCC needs to be able to justify the monies being
27 given to CHCCS, and over the next few weeks, the BOCC needs to come to grips with questions
28 that have been asked and get accountability on these issues.
29 Bonnie Hammersley said this was a pre-Covid program, and it is up to the BOCC as to
30 whether it wants to start this program now or later. She said no capital monies will be spent in
31 the first quarter of 20-21, so staff can monitor the pandemic. She said the needs still exist, of
32 course, but it may not be the right time to borrow, and it will depend on the economy.
33 Bonnie Hammersley said staff presented this program to the schools and asked them what
34 they would be spending over the next three years. She said the schools have been working on
35 this for some time, and staff did not get most of the information until today.
36 Commissioner Price referred to page 108, and said there is $1.3 million for supplemental
37 deferred maintenance. She asked if this was the same program.
38 Travis Myren said it is the same program, and has been included in the recommended
39 CIP. He said the only change is CHCCS shifting funds from year 3 to year 1, in order to fund
40 these HVAC projects. He resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
41
42 FY2020-25 Recommended Capital Investment Plan
43
11
HVAC Projects
• Glenwood Elementary HVAC controls
($54,662)
• Estes Hills HVAC replacements ($375,000)
• Transportation Department HVAC ($75,000)
CHCCS Specific request would follow Year 1 facility feasibility $9,495,338
assessment.
OCS SUD HVAC Upgrade as outlined in 2014 Assessment $2,500,000
OCS Middle School Athletic Field Regrade $100,000
OCS Efland Cheeks Restroom and Plumbing Line Upgrade $1,000,000
TOTAL $13,600,000
1
2 FY2020-25 Recommended Capital Investment Plan 9m
3
kontinuation of prioritized capital recommendations fW
or As
Year 1 facility assessment
OCS CW Stanford Media Center Renovations $250,000
12
OCS Structural Analysis and Building Stabilization $3,000,000
• AL Stanback Media Center
• New Hope Elementary 300 Wing
• Orange High School Cultural Arts
OCS Fire Doors and Damper Repairs $500,000
OCS Supplemental Funding for Roof Replacements $500,000
• New Hope Elementary
• Gravelly Hill
TOTAL $9,768,742
1
2 FY2020-25 Recommended Capital Investment Plan
3 • Future Considerations for School Facilities
4 o Supplemental Deferred Maintenance Plan Starts in FY2020-21 and is
5 Programmed for FY2021-22 and FY2022-23
6 o Continued Investments in Current Facilities
7 o Planning for New School Facilities for Capacity
8 o Potential General Obligation Bond Referendum
9
10 Commissioner Dorosin said in the future it would be good if staff could email the BOCC
11 these PowerPoint presentations in advance of the meetings.
12 Travis Myren resumed the PowerPoint presentation:
13
14 FY2020-25 Recommended Capital Investment Plan
15 Durham Technical Community College
16 • Durham Tech Academic Building
17 o Requested to Begin in FY2021-22
18 o Recommended in Years 6-10 Pending Long Term Funding Strategy
19 o Current Cost Estimate - $26.5 million
20
21 Commissioner Price asked if Durham Tech has said how much money it would put in this
22 project.
23 Travis Myren said Durham Tech has $1 million from State connect funds, but facilities
24 are the County's responsibility.
25
13
1 FY 2020-25 Recommended Capital Investment Plan
2 • Next Steps
3 o Document Review
4 ■ Clerk to the Board's Office
5 ■ County Manager's Office
6 ■ Orange County Website—oran eg countync.gov
7
8 • Upcoming Budget Meetings
9 o April 14 Work Session for Capital Investment Plan
10 o April 23 Work Session for School and Durham Tech CIP
11 o May 5 Presentation of FY2020-21 Recommended
12 Operating Budget
13 o May 12 &June 4 Public Hearings on Operating Budget and CIP
14 o May 14 Work Session for Schools and Outside Agencies
15 o May 21 Work Session for Fire Dist., Public Safety, Support,
16 Gen. Govt.
17 o May 28 Work Session for Human Services and Comm.
18 Services
19 o June 9 Amendments and Intent to Adopt
20 o June 16 Adoption of Operating Budget and CIP
21
22 Chair Rich referred to page 121, sustainability for CHCCS, and said CHCCS got
23 $450,000 for sustainability projects over the next 5 years. She said she did not see similar
24 funding for OCS, and asked if OCS is getting funding.
25 Paul Laughton said OCS did not identify that as a specific request.
26 Chair Rich said she would like to ask OCS if it is spending any money for sustainability.
27 Chair Rich asked if there is a process in place to track the schools' spending and CIP
28 spending.
29 Paul Laughton said the County meets with the schools twice a year, and they run
30 summary reports on completed projects. He said some of the challenges that the schools are
31 having is the timing of when some of these projects can be completed. He said if projects cannot
32 be completed in the summer, they may get pushed to the next year, which may be a reason there
33 is sometimes a lag.
34 Paul Laughton said staff will bring closed out projects to the Orange County Board of
35 Commissioners in an abstract.
36 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the Durham Tech (DT)request, and said the funding is
37 in year 6. He said there is a real sense that DT wants to do more in Orange County, but cannot
38 do so without the new building. He said this crisis may put a lot of pressure on community
39 colleges, and putting this out for 6 years is bad planning.
40 Commissioner Dorosin said it is critical to move these monies up in the CIP, and if the
41 County can put funds in this year it would be good.
42 Commissioner Marcoplos said the BOCC needs to institutionalize a reporting schedule
43 process, perhaps quarterly.
44 Commissioner Price echoed Commissioner Dorosin's comments for the Durham Tech
45 new facility, but said it may be worth waiting until the new president comes on board to have this
14
1 conversation. She said Durham Tech also has the middle college, with growing numbers. She
2 said more capacity is needed in Orange County.
3 Commissioner Greene agreed with these comments about Durham Tech.
4 Chair Rich said putting funding into DT requires it to be taken from other projects. She
5 said the County is in a tight situation, and money will not be as available.
6 Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciates the current times, but he would like to look
7 through the CIP to try and find some funding. He said DT has been deferential, to the two school
8 districts, in its requests.
9 Commissioner Dorosin said the presence of DT is vital to the County's educational
10 system, and the Board should think holistically about education, and embrace this opportunity.
11 Chair Rich asked if there have ever been any architectural plans for the new facility.
12 Travis Myren said there are conceptual plans, but planning and architectural monies
13 would be needed to move into the next phase.
14 Commissioner Price said concept plans were presented to the Orange County Board of
15 Commissioners in the past. She said parking needs are a large question.
16 Commissioner Price said education helps level the playing field for many people, and DT
17 is one of the best community colleges in the nation. She said the on-going demand for
18 community colleges will likely increase, especially given the current crisis.
19 Bonnie Hammersley said the Orange County Board of Commissioners can submit
20 amendments to the CIP now and to the operating budget after May 5cn
21 Bonnie Hammersley said this year it will be a shell game with the amendments.
22 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the BOCC wanted to move up DT, would it be moved up
23 in its entirety or in pieces, e.g. $3 million this year, and a different amount next year.
24 Bonnie Hammersley said staff will check on that.
25 Commissioner Bedford said she had previously asked about reducing the costs of the new
26 morgue, which may free up some funding for the DT project.
27
28 3. Next Steps on the Inclusion of Pre-K Students in School Capacity Calculations
29
30 PURPOSE: To discuss the treatment of Pre-K students in light of the existing Schools Adequate
31 Public Facilities Memorandum of Understanding and Ordinance. Options for next steps may
32 include:
33 1. Directing staff to prepare a formal amendment to the Schools Adequate Public
34 Facilities Memorandum of Understanding including direction on whether to proceed
35 with capacity determinations (Certification of Adequate Public Facilities or
36 CAPS) related to residential development;
37 2. Directing staff to create an informal capacity tracking tool unrelated to the Schools
38 Adequate Public Facilities MOU and Ordinance;
39 3. Deferring action on this item to a later date.
40
41 BACKGROUND:
42 During the February 25 joint meeting between the Board of Orange County Commissioners and
43 the Boards of Education from Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools,
44 the group discussed amending the Memorandum of Understanding between the County and the
45 School Districts to explicitly include Pre-K students in school capacity calculations under the
15
1 Schools Adequate Public Facilities (SAPFO) Memorandum of Understanding. Because the Pre-K
2 students are not counted in the current formula, that classroom space is counted as available
3 capacity for other students and does not represent the total number of students using school
4 space. An example of the proposed amendment is provided as Attachment C.
5
6 Including Pre-K students in the school capacity calculation would impact two parts of the
7 SAPFO MOU(Attachment D). First, the SAPFO MOU requires each district to review proposed
8 residential developments and determine if sufficient school capacity exists to accommodate the
9 students generated by that development. If sufficient capacity does not exist, the Board of
10 Education informs the planning jurisdiction in which the development is proposed. In turn, that
11 planning jurisdiction must provide a development proposal that fits within existing school
12 capacity or deny the development. Including Pre-K students in the SAPFO capacity calculation
13 would hasten determinations of insufficient school capacity.
14
15 SAPFO is also used guide to initiate the construction of new school facilities. If Pre-K students
16 were included in the school capacity calculation, the projected need for new school facilities
17 would accelerate. When the impact of including Pre-K students is combined with the impact of
18 elementary class size reductions mandated under State law, additional capacity is suggested for
19 Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools in the 2021-22 school year and in Orange County Schools in
20 the 2024-25 school year.
21
22 As a way to avoid development limitations, the Boards also discussed a more informal process to
23 reflect Pre-K students that would not result in determinations of insufficient capacity. This could
24 be accomplished without a formal amendment to the Schools Adequate Public Facilities
25 Memorandum of Understanding or the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance.
26 CHCCS:
27
28 Pre-Kindergarten Programming
29 The mission of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) Pre-K/Head Start Program, in
30 partnership with families and the community, is to provide high quality, developmentally
31 appropriate early childhood education, which will meet the diverse needs of all children and
32 prepare them for a positive educational experience. The district currently serves over 260
33 students in traditional, blended and adaptive prekindergarten classrooms. Younger students being
34 served under the Exceptional Children's program are eligible to enroll in pre-kindergarten
35 classrooms as early as age three.
36 The purpose of the CHCCS Pre-K/Head Start is to support students, families and the Local
37 Education Agency(LEA) in preparing students for success in education and in life. Our program
38 presents a heavy focus on social emotional learning along with playbased pre-literacy and math
39 skills. Many of our students come from low socioeconomic backgrounds, have disabilities, or
40 other factors that could impede learning. Given this demographic, we serve to identify and build
41 strengths to support learning for the whole child.
42
43 Pre-K serves children age three to five years of age, not yet eligible for kindergarten, in the areas
44 of Education, Family Partnerships, Mental Health, Disabilities, Health, Safety,Nutrition, and
45 Dental Care.
16
1
2 Pre-K operates 180 school days from 8:00-2:30 and extended care is available (7:30-8
3 and 2:30-5:30). Pre-K is funded through Head Start,North Carolina state funded Pre- K
4 Program/Smart Start(NC Pre-K) and local tuition dollars.
5
6 Applications for Pre-K/Head Start programs are accepted on a year-round basis. Children who
7 are three or four years old by August 31 st are eligible to apply. Interested families must complete
8 an application and provide supporting documentation.
9 Applications are reviewed and screened and eligibility for Head Start, Smart
10 Start/NCPK, Exceptional Children's Program(EC), Subsidy or Tuition is determined based on
11 income and risk factors. Tuition and Subsidy placements are lottery-based.
12 Children who are not selected through the lottery process will be placed on a waiting list. Head
13 Start and Smart Start/NC Pre-K placements are need-based. If enrollment at all sites is full,
14 accepted applications will be placed on the waiting list. Once the selection process is completed,
15 families will be notified of their child's application status. In efforts to reach families in Chapel
16 Hill and Carrboro, flyers are created and distributed in 4 different languages: Karen, Burmese,
17 Spanish, and English. Outreach takes place through churches, shelters, apartment complexes,
18 mobile home parks, and supermarkets in efforts to reach diverse populations in the community.
19
20 The district pre-kindergarten program currently operates on an annual budget of approximately
21 $4 million dollars for 267 students. Funding sources are:
22 • $1,300,000 from Head Start
23 • $700,000 from NC-PK
24 • $500,000 from Local Tuition Students
25 • $1,500,000 from Local Funds for EC Support
26 The district estimates that a Universal Pre-K program would cost approximately $15 million
27 dollars to serve approximately 750 students. This estimated cost does not include additional
28 capital funding that would be needed for additional classrooms to serve 500 more students in a
29 Universal Pre-K program.
30
31 The 267 students in Pre-K are from the following funding sources:
32 • 116 PK Federal Head Start
33 • 20 Smart Start/NC Pre-K
34 • 131 PK Paid
35 o 30-paid fully by parents
36 o 60-paid through Exceptional Children's Program
37 o 40+paid through DSS childcare subsidies
38
39 Of the 20 PK classrooms in the district, 14 classrooms are housed inside an elementary school
40 building and six classrooms are housed in a mobile unit on an elementary school campus. All
41 classrooms have 5-star(highest) quality ratings from the NC Division of Child Development.
42 There are currently 4 students on the Head Start waiting list and
43 71 students on the tuition list for PK.
44
45 Kindergarten statistics:
17
1 • 2019-2020 Kindergarten enrollment 837 students
2 • 509 (61%) families indicated their children attended some type of Pre-K
3 • 129 Pre-K students exited a CHCCS Pre-K at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.
4
5
6 The Orange County Schools' Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) Programs
7
8 There are three types of Pre-K classrooms in Orange County Schools:
9 1. Title 1 Blended Pre-K
10 2. Exceptional Children(EC) Pre-K; and,
11 3. Head Start
12
13 Title I Blended Pre-K Classrooms
14 The OCS Title I Blended Pre-Kindergarten Program provides a child-centered, developmentally
15 appropriate educational experience for four-year-old children in need of developmental,
16 academic and emotional/social support. The program stresses an environment that motivates
17 learning through exploration and discovery. The goal of the program is to prepare children to
18 enter kindergarten ready and excited to learn and succeed. The design of our program is to
19 support children with the greatest need, so that they will be emotionally and socially ready to be
20 active participants in their own learning. An application process is used to determine which
21 children will benefit most from the kinds of developmental experiences we offer in our preschool
22 classrooms.
23
24 Our program is grounded in the National Association for the Education of Young Children's
25 philosophy of developmentally appropriate practices (NAEYC). Classrooms are child centered
26 and designed to promote the development of the whole child, including all developmental
27 domains described in Foundations,North Carolina's early learning standards (approaches to
28 learning, emotional and social development, health and physical development, language
29 development and communication, and cognitive development). Learning experiences are
30 meaningful and relevant for every child and reflect his or her developmental, cultural, and
31 individual circumstances. Our curricula also emphasize the areas of self-regulation and emotional
32 awareness, early literacy and math skill building.
33
34 Every effort is to ensure that each child feels welcome at school and is helped to develop a strong
35 sense of self as a successful learner. The indoor and outdoor classroom experiences include many
36 opportunities for hands-on active learning with real materials and nature. The students spend
37 time each day working in several learning centers, including science, math, writing center,
38 reading corner, block play, manipulatives, dramatic play, sensory play, the safe place, where they
39 make choices and use materials in creative and thought-provoking ways.
40
41 Our Title 1 Blended Pre-K classrooms are inclusive, serving children, ages 3-5 years, who
42 receive special education services. Placement is determined by need of services indicated on the
43 Individualized Education Plan(IEP)by the OCS IEP Team. Our classrooms offer opportunities
44 for children of all abilities to play and learn together. We believe that adaptations that make an
45 experience accessible for children with learning barriers can enhance other children's
18
1 experiences, as well as developing respect,understanding, appreciation and empathy in all
2 children.
3
4 The Title 1 Blended Pre-K program believes that children learn best when families and schools
5 form a respectful, trusting partnership and work together. Families are encouraged to get
6 involved from the beginning with our DIAL 4 assessment clusters, home visits, visiting the
7 school and classroom, on-going, daily communication, volunteering, parent conferences,
8 Children as Teachers Family Days, field trips, newsletters, all with the goal of keeping the parent
9 as a partner to help the child be successful. Open and honest communication between teachers
10 and families is important in making sure we are working together to support the child at home
11 and at school.
12
13 The Title 1 Blended Pre-K program is for children who are four or who will be turning four by
14 August 3Is'of each school calendar year. It is a requirement that families and their children live
15 within the attendance areas served by the Orange County School district and meet income and
16 developmental eligibility requirements.
17
18 Our Title 1 Blended Pre-K classes are funded with a blend of federal Title 1 funding, state North
19 Carolina(NC) Pre-K funds (Smart Start), the Exceptional Children's Program and Orange
20 County Schools funds. There are limited tuition placements available at each school site for
21 families whose income does not qualify for NC Pre-K placement.
22
23 Applications are accepted throughout the school year, for the current school year. Completed
24 applications are processed, screened ranked for Title 1 and NC Pre-K by the Pre-K Team.
25 Eligible children must be at risk of failing to meet North Carolina's academic achievement
26 standards as determined by multiple, educationally related, objective criteria. Family income,
27 family size and need are also verified. All families are notified of their child's application status.
28 Applications of children not placed will be maintained on a waiting list for a matching placement
29 that becomes available.
30
31 The Title 1 Blended Pre-K program follows the OCS K-12 calendar, operating at a minimum of
32 180 days, and adheres to the K-5 schedule, from 7:30am to 2:50pm. Currently, there is no before
33 or after school extended care available for Pre-K children.
34
35 Title 1 Blended Pre-K applications, along with program information are available in English and
36 Spanish for download on the district's website. Hard copies are available at each OCS
37 elementary school, the OCS Central Office, the OCS Welcome Center, the OC Department of
38 Social Services, the OC Health Department, and the OC Public Library.
39
40 The Title 1 Blended Pre-K program currently operates on an annual budget of$980,000 for 68
41 children.
42 Funding sources are:
43 • NC Pre-K: $230,000
44 • Federal Title 1: $200,000
45 • Federal, State and Local Exceptional Children (EC): $504,104
19
1 • 2019-2020: we have no tuition families for the 2019-2020 school year. Current tuition is
2 $1,000.
3 • Local Tuition payments, carried over from previous years when tuition was
4 approximately$600: $47,500
5 OCS currently has 4 Title 1 Blended Pre-K classrooms: 68 children: 52 NC Pre-K and/or Title 1,
6 16 EC placements:
7 1. Central Elementary: 1 classroom: 18 children: 14 are NC Pre-K and/or Title 1, 4 EC
8 placements
9 2. Efland Cheeks Global: 1 classroom: 16 children: 12 are NC Pre-K and/or Title 1, 4 EC
10 placements
11 3. New Hope Elementary: 1 classroom: 18 children: 14 are NC Pre-K and/or Title 1, 4 EC
12 placements
13 4. Pathways Elementary(PES): 1 classroom: 16 children: 12 are NC Pre-K and/or Title 1, 4
14 EC placements, 2 EC push-in placements (from PES EC Pre-K classrooms and don't
15 count in our reimbursement)
16
17 All licensed Title 1 Blended Pre-K classrooms have 5-star(highest) quality ratings from the NC
18 Division of Child Development and Early Learning.
19
20 There are currently 79 age eligible children on the Title 1 Blended Pre-K waiting list for the
21 2019-2020 school year.
22
23 EC Pre-K Classrooms
24 OCS also serves two additional EC Pre-K classrooms at PES; each serving up to 10 children, for
25 a total of 20 EC Pre-K placements.
26
27 Head Start
28 Head Start is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that
29 provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement
30 services to low income children and families. The program's services and resources are designed
31 to foster stable family relationships, enhance children's physical and emotional well-being, and
32 establish an environment to develop strong cognitive skills (Wikipedia).
33
34 There are three Head Start classrooms, one is housed at Central ES, one at Efland Cheeks Global
35 ES and one at Pathways ES; all are operated by the OC Head Start program. Each of the Head
36 Start classrooms serves 18 children each, for a total of 54 Head Start placements, housed in OCS
37 classrooms.
38
39 Travis Myren made the following PowerPoint presentation:
40
41 Next Steps for Including Pre-K Students in SAPFO Student Membership
42 Board of Orange County Commissioners
43 Work Session
44 April 23, 2020
45
20
1 Purpose
2 To Discuss the Treatment of Pre-K students in Light of the Existing Schools Adequate
3 Public Facilities Memorandum of Understanding and Ordinance (SAPFO)
4 o Direct staff to prepare a formal amendment to SAPFO to include Pre-K students
5 in student membership calculations with direction on the treatment of capacity
6 determinations
7 o Direct staff to create an informal capacity tracking tool unrelated to SAPFO
8 o Defer action to a later date
9
10 Background
11 February 25 Joint Schools Meeting
12 o Proposed amendment to the SAPFO Memoranda of Understanding to include Pre-
13 K students in student membership calculations (Attachment C)
14
15 Impacts
16 Including Pre-K students in the student membership would impact two parts of the
17 SAPFO MOU
18 1. Certificate of Adequate Public Schools (CAPS)
19 o Review of Adequate School Capacity Related to New Residential Development
20 o Forward Determination to the Relevant Planning Jurisdiction
21 o Including Additional Students in SAPFO Student Membership Accelerate
22 Determinations of Inadequate School Capacity
23 2. New School Construction Recommendations as Indicated by SAPFO
24 o SAPFO Used as a Facility Planning Tool
25 o Guides Recommendations on New School Construction
26 o However, SAPFO does not Require New School Construction
27
28 Impact Illustration for CHCCS
29
30 Impact Illustration for OCS
31
32 Other Items for Consideration
33 ■ SAPFO Amendment Requires Adoption by the School Boards, Town of Chapel Hill,
34 Town of Carrboro, Town of Hillsborough, and Orange County Board of Commissioners.
35 ■ Clarify Elementary School Capacity to Ensure Pre-K Classroom Space is also Included in
36 the SAPFO Calculations
37 ■ Revise the 2007 School Construction Standards Establish Facility Standards for Pre-K
38 Classrooms
39 o Requires Action by the Schools Boards and Orange County Board of
40 Commissioners
41
42 Recommendation
43 The Manager recommends the Board discuss next steps for addressing the treatment of
44 Pre-K student membership in light of the existing SAPFO regulations.
21
1 o Direct staff to prepare a formal amendment to SAPFO to include Pre-K students
2 in student membership calculations with direction on the treatment of capacity
3 determinations
4 o Direct staff to create an informal capacity tracking tool unrelated to SAPFO
5 o Defer action to a later date
6
7 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the Pre-K numbers are firm and accurate, compared to
8 the SAPFO numbers.
9 Travis Myren said the numbers in the previous slides are solid, as they represent existing
10 students. He said the policy question arises as to how to accommodate numbers in the existing
11 regulations and framework.
12 Commissioner Marcoplos said the numbers are firm.
13 Travis Myren said these pre-K numbers are not projections at all, but rather existing
14 students.
15 Commissioner Dorosin read an excerpt from the agenda item abstract, and said he had
16 thought SAPFO did not contain specific language that the planning board has to deny a
17 development if there is not enough capacity.
18 Travis Myren said it is not discretionary.
19 John Roberts said the ordinance is in the agenda packet and he would look at it.
20 Commissioner Dorosin referred to page 12 of attachment A (page 4 in the book), which
21 said a CHCCS universal pre-K program will cost approximately$15 million and serve 750
22 students. He asked if this estimate includes private pay students. He said the Orange County
23 Schools program does not include private pay students.
24 Travis Myren said that is correct.
25 Commissioner Dorosin said he views universal pre-K as being for anyone who cannot
26 afford it, and would not include private pay students. He asked if this is how everyone else
27 would define universal pre-K. He asked if any means testing will be done, and if the 750
28 number includes the private pay people.
29 Commissioner Dorosin said he would like the universal pre-K slots to be used for those
30 that need it the most, and not for those who are able to pay.
31 Commissioner Dorosin said OCS does not have any private pay students included in its
32 numbers.
33 Chair Rich asked if there is a state definition of pre-K.
34 Commissioner Bedford said traditionally those who pay for pre-K are teachers and staff
35 members.
36 Commissioner Dorosin asked if that is true because of policy.
37 Commissioner Bedford said traditionally pre-K has been so expensive that other families
38 select other programs, and most families need year round coverage and not just 180 days.
39 Commissioner Greene said it had been her understanding that SAPFO was mandatory,
40 but has never pulled the gun on developers. She said it is her understanding that CHCCS wants
41 to have a broader range of incomes represented in the pre-K.
42 Commissioner Bedford said Headstart requires slots for the kids with the greater needs.
43 John Roberts said the State does not define universal pre-K. He said the ordinance is in
44 line with what he has previously advised the Board to do, and that is if the Board does include
22
1 pre-K students, then it should amend the ordinance. He read the following from page 19 of the
2 abstract item: Certificate of Adequacy of Public School Facilities
3
4 a.) Subject to the remaining provisions of this [article], no approval under this
5 ordinance of a subdivision preliminary plat, minor subdivision final plat, site plan,
6 or conditional or special use permit for residential development shall become
7 effective unless and until a Certificate of Adequacy of Public Schools Facilities
8 (CAPS) for the project has been issued by the School District.
9
10 Commissioner McKee said it his understanding that universal pre-K would be open to
11 any child in Orange County,just like K-12.
12 Commissioner Marcoplos said he agreed, and drawing a line based on means seems to go
13 against the spirit of public education.
14 Commissioner Price said there are different funding streams for various pre-K programs.
15 She said there are some slots for people who have means to pay, and there are other slots for
16 those with lesser income, or those children with specific needs. She said Durham uses a sliding
17 scale. She said many families who can pay for private pre-K do so, and thus do not use the
18 public pre-K.
19 Commissioner Dorosin said if the BOCC adds pre-K to the numbers, given the issues
20 raised by Travis Myren in the presentation, the BOCC could raise the percentage capacity in the
21 statute for elementary schools.
22 Chair Rich asked if this would buy the County many years.
23 Travis Myren said the 267 pre-K students are 5% of total capacity, and they would need
24 to add the 5%to the total capacity, which is certainly an option to explore. He referred back to
25 the recommendations, and whether the BOCC wants to pursue an amendment or create a
26 different tracking tool.
27 Commissioner Greene asked if there is a suggested amendment for the BOCC to
28 consider, and would it incorporate pre-K and make it mandatory. She said she thought the desire
29 was to avoid that.
30 John Roberts said that is correct. He said if pre-K numbers are included, he would
31 recommend that the Board amend the ordinance so that CAPS no longer determines if a
32 developer can build. He said the ordinance can remain as a planning tool.
33 Commissioner McKee asked if the Board is talking about pre-K at the mandated level,
34 the existing level, the waiting list level, or the universal level. He said he is confused.
35 Chair Rich said the agenda item is not addressing whether or not the BOCC wants to
36 create universal pre-K. She said this item is addressing the issue, which the schools brought to
37 the BOCC, that pre-K students have never been included, and it is a flaw in SAPFO. She said
38 the unfunded K-3 mandate from the State will require more classrooms, and if pre-K students are
39 filling up the classrooms that are needed to meet the K-3 mandates, what will be done with the
40 pre-K students. She said the question is whether to include the pre-K students in the SAPFO
41 numbers.
42 Commissioner McKee from his perspective the existing pre-K numbers should be
43 included now.
44 Chair Rich said universal pre-K does not have to all be housed in public schools.
23
1 Commissioner Marcoplos referred to the slide with 3 choices, and the second option
2 intrigues him. He said if that was done for a year, the County could learn a lot and then see pre-
3 K through the tracking tool. He said it could be like a rehearsal.
4 Commissioner McKee asked if Travis Myren could review option 1 again.
5 Travis Myren said option 1 would have the BOCC would formally amend the Student
6 Membership section of the SAPFO memorandum of understanding (MOU), to include pre-K
7 students, and also delete the section that has to do with issuing CAPS.
8 Chair Rich asked if that would include all pre-K students or just the ones the County is
9 mandated to accommodate.
10 Travis Myren said the request was to include all of the existing pre-K students, and there
11 was some disagreement regarding the waiting list. He said he imagines all would want to clear
12 the waiting list.
13 Commissioner McKee agreed.
14 Commissioner Price asked if option 1 would eliminate the CAPS, and if so, is that
15 something the schools wanted, or would the schools still want to still limit construction. She said
16 she liked option 2.
17 Commissioner Dorosin said the schools know the number of kids in the pre-K seats, and
18 to him, the issue is how many kids are in the seats now and how much room exists to
19 accommodate the new class room size mandate. He said he favored option 1, and then figure out
20 how to change the ordinance regarding CAPS, capacity, etc.
21 Commissioner Dorosin said if the BOCC is going to keep SAPFO, then every child that is
22 present should be counted.
23 Commissioner Greene said would choose option 1, counting the existing children. She
24 said she would like to keep the language of the SAPFO, but to the extent practical, they need to
25 get away from the threat of the"shall"word.
26 Commissioner Bedford said she supports counting the existing pre-K students,but her
27 concern is if the BOCC tried to get all of the jurisdictions to agree, they will not agree with it.
28 She said she supported Commissioner Greene's suggestion to keep the SAPFO language, but to
29 get away from shall. She said she does not favor increasing the capacity percentages. She asked
30 if all jurisdictions have to agree in order to amend the ordinance.
31 Chair Rich said OCS and CHCCS and Orange County Board of Commissioners would
32 have to all agree.
33 John Roberts said the MOU is between all parties, so all would have to agree.
34 Commissioner Bedford said she is not sure it is worth the effort, as she would predict that
35 the towns would not agree. She said to just leave it alone, and track the numbers.
36 Commissioner Marcoplos said if the BOCC pursues option 1 there will be a lot of
37 disagreement in the first year, and so it looks like they are leaning toward a hybrid of options 1
38 and 2. He said it seems wise to have a time to try it out and have discussions.
39 Commissioner Price said she was uncertain as to whether there was a deadline for all of
40 this, and that is why she was leaning toward option 2. She said the BOCC does not have enough
41 information on option 1, and time would help with that. She said she supports counting the pre-
42 K students, but is unsure how the other entities feel. She said 5 entities would have to come to
43 an agreement on this proposal, and that would take time. She said she is unsure where people
44 stand about CAPS.
24
1 Chair Rich said Craig Benedict, Planning Director, went before each of the entities and
2 all are up to date. She said OCS has been before Town of Hillsborough asking the Town to
3 move forward. She said she does not think Chapel Hill and Carrboro are as far along in
4 discussions.
5 Commissioner Dorosin said the entire BOCC seems to favor counting the pre-K students,
6 so he would favor moving forward with option one and start drafting the amendment.
7 Chair Rich asked if it is clear which number of students are being counted: the existing
8 students, the mandated students, the waiting list, etc.
9 Commissioner Dorosin said SAPFO currently counts kids that are in the building, and he
10 would support continuing that.
11 Chair Rich asked if the numbers ever change, can CHCCS enroll more than 267 kids.
12 Commissioner Dorosin said the numbers would change based on enrollment, and if the
13 districts can afford to accommodate more students, they should do so.
14 Chair Rich said that practice could trigger the building of a new school.
15 Commissioner Dorosin said that is what SAPFO is for now, and K-12 numbers can
16 trigger the building of a new school.
17 Travis Myren said the difference is that pre-K is discretionary, with the exception of
18 mandated students.
19 Chair Rich said the Board supports pre-K and knows every child deserves it. She said
20 including pre-K could trigger the need for a new school sooner than otherwise would have been
21 needed.
22 Commissioner McKee said option 1 makes the most sense, as it counts the kids that are
23 already there. He said universal pre-K is a different conversation.
24 Commissioner Greene said the kids in pre-K are not all mandated to be there, and the
25 number of non-mandated kids could be high or low. She said the BOCC does not want to be in a
26 position of going against the case from Cabarrus County.
27 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if all the parities involved have the same understanding
28 of option 1. He said, if not, the County would come up with an amendment for all to review, all
29 the while counting the kids informally. He said if the BOCC is going to take option 1, it will
30 take elements of option 2 to get them there. He said both options will come to pass with time.
31 Commissioner Price asked if there is a timeline, and if students are counted what happens
32 next. She asked if the County will end up out of compliance if pre-K students are counted.
33 Travis Myren said the school districts requested the amendment to the membership
34 language. He said in terms of adoption there is not a hard and fast deadline.
35 Commissioner Price said if the BOCC passes this next month, hypothetically, are the
36 schools requesting to eliminate CAPS or to keep it.
37 Travis Myren said the schools did not address CAPS.
38 Commissioner Price said the BOCC continues to use as a planning tool, and the district
39 may be out of compliance with the new state classroom mandates.
40 Travis Myren said this is a local creation, and it depends how the Board wants to treat the
41 CAPS.
42 Chair Rich said the BOCC needs to have more conversations with Chapel Hill and
43 Carrboro about this.
44 Commissioner Bedford said she looked back at previous documents, and the school
45 districts were discussing including the existing pre-K students and the wait list, but with a
25
1 maximum of 10%. She said because funding is an unknown, she said the amendment would
2 need to include a maximum. She said if the BOCC went forward with the amendment, she
3 would like to keep the CAPS language, moving away from its mandatory nature, and put a
4 maximum on the number of pre-K children.
5 Travis Myren asked John Roberts if the BOCC made the CAPS an advisory, then the
6 towns would not have to agree to this.
7 John Roberts said yes. He said everyone would have to be a part of the removal of CAPS
8 to keep things equitable; it cannot exist in one district and not another.
9 Chair Rich said all jurisdictions need to be treated equally. She said there seems to be
10 some next steps needed, along with more conversations with the towns.
11 Commissioner Greene said if the mandatory language is removed, but the CAPS are still
12 present, she would still want the towns to be a party to it, and to be expected to consult the
13 SAPFO when dealing with a new development to understand the practical import of any new
14 development.
15 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the"must" language and spoke of a hypothetical
16 development that would bring 100 new students,pushing the CHCCS over capacity, and CHCCS
17 denies the development, and the developer sues to the district, and gets permit to build the
18 school. He asked if anyone has the authority to force the County to build a school.
19 John Roberts said this has never unfolded before, but a scenario would be that a
20 developer needs a SAPFO from the school district in order to build a subdivision, and if that is
21 not obtained, the subdivision will not be approved by the local planning department. He said,
22 from there, it will end up in litigation and may include the school systems, but the denial is
23 coming from the Towns or County. He said the County would not have to build a school, but
24 someone would get sued.
25 Commissioner Dorosin said many counties have crowded schools, and are not required to
26 build schools. He suggested moving forward with option 1 and drafting something to look at
27 existing kids and those on waiting list; and while this is being drafted they reach out to the towns
28 and start the conversation. He said it would be helpful to have something to show the other
29 parties with a couple of options.
30 Commissioner Greene said the weight is with the County.
31
32
33 4. School Funding E ui between School Districts in Oran a Coun
34 UGH THIS AGAIN!
35
36 BACKGROUND:
37 This agenda item is in response to a petition by a Board member. In North Carolina, each county
38 is responsible for supplementing state and federal appropriations to public education. State law
39 requires the County to allocate current expense or operating funding to each school system based
40 on an equal per pupil amount. In addition to current expense funding, counties provide funds to
41 each system for recurring and long range capital projects.
42 These capital expenses are not required to be allocated on a per pupil basis.
43
44 The FY2019-20 budget provides $4,352.25 per student for each of the 20,408 students in the two
45 school systems. The Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools District was allocated approximately
26
1 $53.4 million in current expense funding based on an enrollment of 12,274 students. The
2 Orange County Schools District was allocated approximately$35.4 million in current expense
3 funding based on an enrollment of 8,134 students.
4
5 State law also allows Local Education Agencies (LEA) to levy special district taxes. District
6 taxes must be approved by referendum. Once the tax is approved, the Board of County
7 Commissioners formally approves the special district tax rate each year. Attachment A shows the
8 counties in the state that levy taxes for more than one school district and the special district tax
9 rates, if any, authorized in each of those Districts. The most recent data available from the
10 Department of Public Instruction is from 2017-18.
11
12 The Special District Taxes are only levied within the District's boundary. In FY2019-20, Chapel
13 Hill Carrboro City Schools maintained a special district tax rate of 20.18 cents per$100 assessed
14 value. For this fiscal year, the special district tax is estimated to generate an additional $1,977 per
15 student or a total of$24,267,972. This additional per pupil funding increases per pupil resources
16 in the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools District to a total of$6,329.25.
17
18 Based on the requirements of State law, the County cannot equalize the total per pupil amount
19 since it must provide the same per pupil funding for current expenses to each district. At this
20 time, the County does not have a way to equalize the total per pupil funding unless each district
21 authorizes the same special district tax or the existing special district tax is eliminated.
22 Chair Rich said Commissioner Dorosin has brought this up repeatedly over the past seven
23 years, and she asked him to elaborate this evening.
24
25 Commissioner Dorosin said the County has per pupil funding based on enrollment: 60/40
26 between CHCCS and OCS. He said CHCCS also has the special district tax, which results in
27 about an extra$2000/more per student. He said there is something that is inequitable about this
28 process, and he wonders how the Board can justify this disparity within the County.
29 He said his proposal in the past has been to do general fund increases, with decreases in the
30 special district tax. He said he is aware OCS rejected a district tax years ago. He said he is open
31 to creative ways of how to address this inequity.
32 Commissioner Dorosin said the BOCC should reach out to its legislative delegation for a
33 local bill to reduce disparity without cutting education.
34 Chair Rich said the General Assembly component is crucial, and of all the districts with a
35 special tax, CHCCS is the highest.
36 Commissioner Price said if it comes through the general fund it will raise taxes for
37 everyone.
38 Commissioner Dorosin said if the BOCC wanted to lower the district tax, then it would
39 be offsetting.
40 Commissioner Price said the residents in OCS would see it as a tax increase for schools.
41 Commissioner Dorosin said the tax would be for all schools.
42 Commissioner Price said opinions may have changed, but OCS residents have historically
43 said no to raising taxes to pay for schools.
27
1 Commissioner Dorosin said it would be part of their property tax. He said the difference
2 would be that the amount of monies to OCS in the annual budget would go up, and the amount
3 going to CHCCS would remain the same.
4 Commissioner Greene said Commissioner Dorosin is technically correct, and
5 Commissioner Price is correct in what the perception would be among the OCS voters. She said
6 OCS residents do not see this as evening things up, but rather as an increase in taxes, and there is
7 no other reason than to re-appropriate the taxes.
8 Commissioner Greene said it would be nice to know what the voters in the OCS district
9 thought, and maybe there needs to be another referendum.
10 Commissioner Dorosin said this idea is only one proposal, and he is open to all ideas. He
11 said if his proposal were to pass, they would see a regular increase in money going to the OCS.
12 Commissioner Marcoplos said this tax solution is the only solution has been identified.
13 He said he has lived here a long time, and generally, in rural Orange County people are happy
14 with their schools, with good reason. He said people would rather not have their taxes raised,
15 and still have good schools.
16 Commissioner Marcoplos said in CHCCS, there are people who want their taxes raised
17 for their schools, as they can afford it. He recommended hiring a polling company to see what
18 people think in both school districts.
19 Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is any way to compel school districts to consolidate
20 some of the things that they both do, such as transportation, to ameliorate disparities. He said it
21 is good to hear what people think, but right is right.
22 Commissioner Marcoplos said, over the years, rural Orange County has felt that the
23 schools were one thing over which they had control. He said if a poll were conducted, the
24 residents could be asked about collaborative efforts.
25 Commissioner Dorosin said if they are going toward universal pre-K, and building new
26 facilities, there should be more effective collaboration.
27 Chair Rich asked if the Board is interested in polling about a district tax, and if a
28 referendum is desired, which would provide some supporting data.
29 Commissioner Marcoplos said polling residents would provide information and seed
30 conversations around the County.
31 Chair Rich said if the public is involved from the beginning it backs up what
32 Commissioner Dorosin is trying to do. She said the public has misunderstood Commissioner
33 Dorosin's intent in the past.
34 Commissioner Dorosin said if it is the will to have two school districts, then the question
35 remains as to whether the current funding model is equitable.
36 Commissioner Dorosin said the sheet that was attached, with district tax data, has some
37 missing information.
38 Commissioner McKee said his position has not changed. He said there is no way to get
39 around the fact that the residents in CHCCS will come up neutral on taxes paid, but the OCS
40 residents will get a tax increase. He said there are 20,408 students in Orange County, and if you
41 get rid of the district tax then both districts are equal at $4352 per pupil. He said to bring the
42 districts back to the current CHCCS allocation, the County would have to generate $1977 per
43 pupil for the OCS students, which is a $40 million increase in tax revenue, and translates to 20.8
44 cent tax increase district wide.
28
1 Commissioner McKee said a poll would be useless because both sides of the conversation
2 would mobilize residents to come out in opposition. He said to put a referendum on the
3 November ballot for an OCS district tax, and that would serve as the poll.
4 Chair Rich said is it that the County needs to bring all up to 1977, or bring it down to a
5 more reasonable amount to allow for equity.
6 Commissioner McKee said the numbers he is using is bringing every student up to what
7 CHCCS currently spends per pupil.
8 Chair Rich said the question remains of does it cost $2000 more per student to educate
9 students in CHCCS, as opposed to OCS.
10 Commissioner McKee said that is the true question: what does it cost to educate a student
11 in Orange County. He said it will be as hard to sell a reduction in the special district tax to
12 CHCCS parents, as it would to sell an increase in taxes to the OCS parents. He said there is no
13 doubt that inequity exists, but there is also the perception of it. He said the bottom line is that the
14 people in Chapel Hill implemented a tax for themselves, and OCS did not. He said there would
15 be a huge tax increase if the Board tries to balance this by going to the CHCCS funding level.
16 Commissioner Bedford said there should be federal funding for all children to receive an
17 education. She said in 2006 both school districts agreed on issues about taxes not forcing people
18 to move, and serving children fairly. She said in 2005 Davenport did a study on ways to share
19 costs between the school districts, and some changes were made to the tune of significant
20 savings. She said some recommendations were not implanted such as teacher training being
21 done collaboratively with teachers from both districts, as well as allowing high school students to
22 go between the two districts. She said there was a recommendation to raise taxes to go
23 exclusively to schools, but the 2007-2008 recession occurred. She said the republican majority
24 in the GA has consistently cut funding to schools, and one option would be to change to
25 percentage of the County budget that is allocated to schools, but with Covid-19 there are going to
26 be great basic needs in the County.
27 Commissioner Bedford said when people move to Chapel Hill they move there a lot of
28 those times because of the school district. She said she chose a very small home in order to have
29 her daughter in CHCCS schools, due to her special needs.
30 Commissioner Bedford said the group in 2006 cautioned against a special district tax as it
31 is focused on the residents in a particular area, as opposed to the entire County, and areas in rural
32 Orange County are not the same as CHCCS. She said economic development may change this.
33 Commissioner Bedford said a survey is a good idea, and the school boards could also be
34 asked for input. She said if residents favor a tax raise, it is easy to do through incremental
35 changes in the ad valorem tax.
36 Commissioner Dorosin said there would not be cuts if you raise the ad valorem, and cut
37 the district tax.
38 Commissioner Bedford said CHCCS has many more children with special needs, and is
39 using more of its special district tax to fund pre-K students.
40 Commissioner Dorosin said it is a chicken and egg situation, and people want to live in
41 CHCCS because there are good schools, but there are good schools because there is more money.
42 Commissioner Bedford said she hopes EC education is strong in both districts. She said
43 people move to CHCCS for the schools, but also the university and the medical centers.
29
1 Chair Rich said the district tax was rooted in a racial inequity to insure that African
2 Americans could not move into the school system. She said that may not exist now, but it was
3 true at one time years ago.
4 Commissioner McKee said the education from both school systems is good. He said
5 there is a perception that CHCCS provides a better education for their students, but he disagrees
6 with this.
7 Commissioner Dorosin said he did not mean to imply that CHCCS provides a better
8 education than OCS. He said there is a perception that more money equals a better education.
9 He said both districts provide a good education, but the funding is inequitable.
10 Commissioner Bedford said there is an impression that Orange County is a wealthy
11 County. She said Orange County may be doing better than some counties, but nationally it is not.
12 She said it is worth changing the 48.1%budget target.
13 Commissioner Marcoplos said Orange County actually funds their schools similarly to
14 counties that are 20 slots higher in wealth in North Carolina. He said much more of Orange
15 County wealth is going to education per capita.
16 Commissioner Marcoplos said CHCCS is second in the nation in the achievement gap,
17 and there are many ways to address equity in the schools systems and they are not all connected
18 the money.
19 Commissioner Price said in recent years both school systems have been in the top 5 in the
20 State. She said the perception is with the wealth, and many people think CHCCS has all the
21 money, but many people in CHCCS are forgotten, and have very little income. She said the
22 schools were segregated in 1909 when the district tax was established, and she thinks the tax had
23 more to do with wealth than race. She said the perceived difference between the two districts has
24 always struck her as strange. She agreed it would be good to find out what the CHCCS spends
25 the extra district funding on and what are their priorities.
26 Chair Price said the 48.1% is just a target, and it is not a mandated percentage.
27 Chair Rich said yes, 48.1% is a target and it helps staff with planning. She said it is a
28 starting point.
29 Chair Rich said the BOCC can either do a survey or a poll to understand if OCS wants to
30 be part of a referendum,
31 Commissioner Dorosin suggested sharing this discussion with both school boards. He
32 said everyone has concerns and questions about the different levels of funding, and would like to
33 ]earn more about how the additional $2000/student manifests itself in CHCCS.
34 Chair Rich said it would be good to find out what OCS is offering that CHCCS is not,
35 and vice versa.
36 Commissioner Dorosin said it may be a good idea for students to be able to take classes
37 in the other district, and all options should be explored.
38 Commissioner Dorosin said there should be a conversation with their legislative
39 delegation to get their perspective on this disparity in funding between the two school districts.
40 He said maybe the outcomes could help the BOCC with questions to put on a poll or survey.
41 Commissioner Bedford said she thinks the BOCC can do whatever its want to do with the
42 district tax, and may be able to bring the OCS up to the CHCCS level. She asked if John Roberts
43 would research this.
44 Bonnie Hammersley asked if staff should put this on the agenda for the joint meeting with
cn
45 the schools on the 28
30
1 Commissioner Dorosin said the BOCC may need more information first, and he asked if
2 the next collaboration meeting is scheduled.
3 Chair Rich said there is not a date scheduled yet, as a mutually agreeable date has not
4 been found.
5 Commissioner Dorosin said not to have the item on the 281h agenda, but to have Chair
6 Rich draft letter to school chairs with this meeting's transcript. He said the meeting next week
7 may be too soon, and he does not want to spring it on the schools.
8 Chair Rich said she supports doing some type of survey.
9 Commissioner Dorosin said more information is needed prior to doing a poll.
10 Chair Rich thanked Commissioner Dorosin for his ongoing commitment to this issue.
11
12
13 5. Arts Commission—Appointments Discussion
14
15 BACKGROUND:
16 The following appointment information is for Board consideration. As the Designated County
17 Partner with the NC Arts Council, the Arts Commission is required to conduct its annual grants
18 cycle during the summer of 2020. Potential board members are recruited to ensure all areas of the
19 arts are properly represented during grants review panels. Brad Porter and Krista Bremer
20 represent the performing and literary arts, respectively, and their perspective and knowledge is
21 needed for the upcoming grants panels.
22
23
24 A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner McKee to
25 appoint the following to the Arts Commission:
26
27 Position 4 Daniel Mayer At-Large Second Full Term Expiring 03/31/2023
28 Position 5 Tinka Jordy At-Large One Year Term Extension Expiring 03/31/2021
29 Position 9 Krista Bremer At-Large First Full Term Expiring 03/31/2023
30 Position 10 Marlon Torres At-Large Second Full Term Expiring 03/31/2023
31 Position 11 Brad Porter At-Large First Full Term Expiring 03/31/2023
32
33 VOTE: UNANIMOUS
34
35 A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Marcoplos to
36 adjourn the meeting at 10:24 p.m.
37
38
39 Penny Rich, Chair
40
41
42 Donna S. Baker
43 Clerk to the Board
1
I Attachment 2
2
3
4 DRAFT ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
5 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION
6 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
7 DURHAM TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
8 VIRTUAL MEETNG
9 April 28, 2020
10
11
12 BOCC / Board of Education Virtual Joint Meeting
13
14 The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a virtual joint meeting with the Chapel Hill-
15 Carrboro Board of Education, Orange County Board of Education and Durham Tech on
16 Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
17
18 Due to current public health concerns, the Board of Commissioners conducted a Virtual
19 Joint Meeting on April 28, 2020 utilizing Zoom. Members of the Board of Commissioners
20 and Boards of Education participated in the meeting remotely. As in prior meetings,
21 members of the public were able to view and listen to the meeting via live streaming
22 video at orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos and on Orange County Gov-TV on
23 channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable).
24
25 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Penny Rich and Commissioners Jamezetta
26 Bedford, Mark Dorosin, Sally Greene, Mark Marcoplos, Earl McKee and Renee Price
27 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
28 COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT:
29 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESENT: Chair Mary Ann Wolf, Joal
30 Broun, Rani Dasi, Amy Fowler, Deon Temne, Ashton Powell
31 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION ABSENT: Jillian LaSerna
32 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESENT: Chair Will Atherton, Dr. Steve
33 Halkiotis, Brenda Stephens, Hillary MacKenzie, Tony McKnight, Sarah Smylie and Dr. Stephen
34 Halkiotis
35 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ABSENT: Matthew Roberts
36 DURHAM TECH PRESENT: Dr. Bill Ingram, Penny Gluck
37 COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
38 Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members will be identified
39 appropriately below)
40 CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO SCHOOLS (CHCCS) STAFF PRESENT: Superintendent Pam
41 Baldwin, Interim Superintendent Patrick Abele, Jonathan Scott, Interim CFO
42 ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS (OCS) STAFF PRESENT: Superintendent Monique Felder,
43 Sara Pitts, Director of Environmental Health and Safety and Rhonda Rath, CFO.
44
45 Chair Rich called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., and asked for a Roll Call.
46
47 Welcome and Opening Remarks
48 OCS Chair Atherton highlighted some issues with the OCS budget, and the OCS
49 response to the pandemic:
50 • Safety - provided PPE equipment to all staff on the frontline
51 0 Food - 31,851 meals provided
2
1 Learning - addressing pre and post Covid-19 learning gaps; provided IT resources; out
2 of all OCS students, there are only 57 that staff has not been able to reach; provided
3 devices to students, as well as paper material, OCS unable to address lack of internet in
4 rural areas and will need County and State assistance in this matter.
5
6 CHCCS Chair Wolfe thanked the community for its efforts, as well as the Orange County
7 Board of Commissioners (BOCC). She said CHCCS has partnered with districts and people to
8 insure students have food, and that social, academic and emotional needs are being met. She
9 provided examples of the way the community had engaged with the schools during this time.
10 She reviewed the following:
11 • CHCCS has served over 130,000 meals.
12 • IT- grades 2-12 have access to IT equipment.
13 BOE- schools are the hubs of the community and support the whole child and it is so
14 evident through this crisis. They appreciate the close collaboration with the OCS. As
15 they went through this process they did focus on their strategic plan and their equity
16 training has helped.
17 BOE- she said Orange County is generous towards education, but the State is still so
18 much lower than the rest of the country.
19
20 Chair Rich said the Orange County Board of Commissioners has already gone through
21 some budget discussions, and has also received an update from the Manager about the County
22 budget in reference to the COVID- 19 pandemic. She said County staff has had to come up
23 with a new budget, as opposed to the pre-Covid budget. She said is important to remember
24 that these are not normal times.
25
26 1. COVID-19 Pandemic Economic Impact on the FY2020-21 Orange County
27 Manager's Recommended Budget
28
29 Bonnie Hammersley said tonight, she is talking about just one side of the story, which is
30 the revenue side, and how Covid-19 pandemic has affected them all. She said her full-
31 proposed budget will be presented next week on May 51h
32 Bonnie Hammersley made the following PowerPoint presentation:
33
34 FY2020-21 BUDGET PROJECTIONS
35 PRE-COVID VS POST-COVID
36 BOCC Virtual Work Session
37 April 23, 2020
3
Pre-Covid Post-Covid $
Projections Projections Difference
PROPERTY & PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX
Tax Rate Increase 1.63 0 $(3,123,224)
Collection Rate Adjustment - Property Tax(Real/Personal) 99.2% 98.7% $ (781,147)
Collection Rate Adjustment - Motor Vehicles 99.9% 99.4% $ (142,485)
SALES TAX
*Sales Tax Growth +5% -4.5% -9% $(2,814,151)
TOTAL $(6,8611007)
1 *Sales Tax projections includes Articles 39, 40 and 42
2
FY19-20
Adopted Pre-Covid Post-Covid $ %
Projections Projections Difference Difference
REVENUE Budget
Real/Personal Property $152,142,471 $ 157,890,346 $154,198,531 $(3,691,815) -2.34%
Motor Vehicles $ 10,770,627 $ 11,530,157 $ 11,175,116 $ (355,041) -3.08%
*Other $ 2,240,833 $ 2,323,992 $ 2,323,992 $ - 0.00%
Sales Tax $ 25,372,861 $ 26,641,504 $ 23,827,353 $(2,814,151) -10.56%
Licenses and Permits $ 313,260 $ 289,000 $ 274,550' $ (14,450) -5.00%
Investment Earnings $ 415,000 $ 1,158,576 $ 515,000 $ (643,576) -55.55%
**Miscellaneous $ 3,040,769 $ 2,892,817 $ 2,642,817 $ (250,000) -8.64%
Charges for Services $ 12,704,833 $ 13,275,581 $ 12,724,996 $ (550,585) -4.15%
Intergovernmental $ 18,278,612 $ 17,977,289 $ 17,977,289 $ - 0.00%
TOTAL $225,279,266 $233,979,262 $225,659,644 $(8,319,618) -3.56%
* Other= Delinquent Taxes, Interest on Delinquent, Beer&Wine Excise Taxes, Animal Taxes etc.
3 **Miscellaneous = Hold Harmless Article 44, Donations, Rent Income, Sale of Surplus Assets etc.
4
5 Bonnie Hammersley said she wanted to show transparency prior to presenting her full
6 budget to the Board of County Commissioners on May 5t". She said this is considered a
7 moderate decrease. She said County staff has had to be extremely creative to be able present
8 a balanced budget to the Board, which is a requirement of the State.
9 Ashton Powell clarified that the percentage difference measured is from the projected
10 budget, but the actual difference from 19-20 is still going up.
11 Bonnie Hammersley said this presentation includes just the revenue side, and the
12 revenues do not include the fund balance, which can be used to balance the budget.
4
1 Commissioner Price asked if there is a timeline for the loss and the deficit, and does this
2 budget take into account a certain timeline of the economy reopening, or the virus maybe
3 coming back in the fall.
4 Bonnie Hammersley said it is based on what staff is hearing from the experts, who say
5 the recovery may last 12-24 months, but it is unclear when that recovery will start. She said
6 these numbers take into account that they will be looking at least a year, but there may be
7 adjustments needed mid-year.
8
9 2. Durham Technical Community College —Orange County Campus
10 FY 2020-21 Operating Budget Presentation and Discussion
11 DR. INGRAM-DTCC PRESIDENT
12
13 Durham Technical Community College (DTCC) - Orange County Campus FY 2020-21
14 Operating Budget Request includes $777,954 for Operations (an increase of$54,698) and
15 Capital Outlay Funds of$75,000 (no change from FY 2019-20). The increase in Current
16 Operations includes a 2.5% increase for salaries and benefits to match the expected increases
17 for state paid employees, continue to pay all employees a livable wage, and funds to cover back
18 increases in retirement that had not been requested in the past. The request also includes
19 Orange County's portion of a new HVAC Technician position to support the increase in facility
20 maintenance needs, as well as a 2% cost increase in utilities, contracted services, and
21 insurance, and a 5% increase for equipment and facility repairs. Their request also includes
22 continuing the funding of$200,000 for 200 scholarships for Orange County residents attending
23 DTCC. This is funded through the Article 46 One-Quarter Cent Sales tax proceeds.
24
25 Dr. Ingram made the following PowerPoint presentation:
26
27 FY 2020-21 Orange County Budget Presentation
28
29 Orange County Campus Update
30 2500 Students taking one or more classes annually
31 ■ 1100 Curriculum Students
32 ■ 1400 Continuing Education and Basic Skills Students
33 Sample of Program Offerings
34 ■ Basic Law Enforcement Training for Orange Co. Sheriff
35 ■ Emergency Medical Science and Paramedic training
36 ❖ Special program for Air Force paramedics
37 ■ Nurse Aide I and II
38 ■ Anesthesia Technology*
39 ■ Orthopedic Technician*
40 *Only programs in North Carolina
41
42 The Durham Tech Promise
43 • $500 grant per semester for up to four semesters
44 . All graduates of public high schools in Orange County are eligible, regardless of high
45 school GPA.; FAFSA not required
46 • Must enroll at Durham Tech as their first post-secondary institution within one year of
47 graduating high school.
48 • The Durham Tech Promise scholarship has been highly successful in attracting recent
49 high school graduates from the two county school systems to choose Durham Tech as
50 their preferred first postsecondary institution
5
1
2 The Durham Tech Promise - -graph
3 The scholarship is attracting a diverse group of students
4
5 Durham Tech Promise - -graph
6 It is also helping keep students in college- graph
7
8 Career and College Promise (Dual Enrollment)
9 237 high school students in college classes (almost 400 courses)
10 168 Orange County Students (over 300 courses)
11 ■ 120 Orange High School students (over 200 courses)
12 E 48 Cedar Ridge High School students (over 110 courses)
13 69 Chapel Hill / Carrboro Schools students
14 ■ 40 enrolled I biology or computer sciences classes offered at Chapel Hill and
15 East Chapel Hill High School
16 ■ 29 students from Carrboro, Chapel Hill High, or East Chapel Hill High in classes
17 at Orange County Campus or Main Campus
18
19 Department of Social Services Partnership
20 Food and Nutrition Employment and Training and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
21 Since January 2019
22 ■ 14 enrolled in college credit programs
23 ■ 80 enrolled in short-term workforce training programs
24 ■ 25 enrolled in high school completion/equivalency programs
25 ■ 70 enrolled in essential work skills classes (HRD classes)
26 Currently serving 135 clients
27 Students report hourly wage gains following participation
28
29 2020-21 Durham Tech Budget Request - table - 6% total $1, 052, 954
30
31 Budget Request Highlights
32 Salary line increase by $47,832 (13.8%)
33 ■ One-fourth salary for new HVAC Technician
34 ■ Adjustment to contribution to state retirement system
35 ■ Proposed 2.5% salary increase
36 Contractual services increase by $3,460 (2.5%)
37 Utilities increase by $2,181 (2%)
38 Equipment repairs increase by $875 (5%)
39
40 Orange County Campus Building Two
41 40,000-45,000 square foot general purpose classroom
42 $26.6 million estimated cost
43 Year One: Planning and Design
44 ■ $1 million
45 Year Two: Site Preparation and Construction
46 ■ $14 million
47 Year Three: Project Completion
48 $11.6 million
49
50 Commissioner Bedford congratulated Penny Gluck and Dr. Ingram on their retirements.
6
1 Commissioner Bedford asked if staff could report how the pandemic has affected both
2 campuses this spring semester.
3 Dr. Ingram said DTCC went on-line with all of its classes within 2 weeks. He said, of the
4 500 sections of classes, all but 25 were converted to online.
5 Dr. Ingram said Durham Tech's summer term will be online as well, and DTCC hopes to
6 do face classes in the fall sometime. He said Durham Tech will receive $2.8 million from the
7 CARE Act, which will be used for student aid. He said Durham Tech is learning how to use
8 virtual platforms for many of their internal operations.
9 Commissioner Price thanked both Penny Gluck and Dr. Ingram for all of their work over
10 the years.
11 Commissioner Price referred to the Orange County building 2, and asked if Durham
12 Tech could make these slides available to the BOCC.
13 Commissioner Price said a couple of years ago there were concept plans, and asked if
14 there is a specific point where this process is on hold.
15 Dr. Ingram said a couple of years ago Durham Tech had some preliminary discussions
16 about what it wanted to offer in its second building. He said, this spring, County staff told
17 Durham Tech that plans are to move this project to year 6-10 in Orange County's CIP, and that
18 is why Durham Tech put a hold on significant planning for now. He said more planning will be
19 done closer to when the building will be built. He said the Orange County Board of
20 Commissioners asked about this last week, and that is why he added the slide. He said it
21 shows a breakdown of how Durham Tech will need the funding over the three years.
22 Commissioner Price asked if Durham Tech still has the plans from two years ago, or will
23 everything start from scratch.
24 Dr. Ingram said what they saw in the past was a high level, conceptual plan, and a land
25 use plan that included how many parking spots would be needed. He said Durham Tech would
26 look for designers to help the school program plan if they moved forward. He said the site plan
27 from the past appears to have been more in the parking arena, and that was all it was.
28 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the $1.4 million CARE funds, which have been drawn
29 down, and asked if its specific uses could be identified.
30 Dr. Ingram said Durham Tech is developing the program for these funds, and additional
31 requirements from the Department of Education came down. He said this round of funding will
32 not be able to be used to offset tuition, and it will be distributed based on need. He said
33 students will submit an application, and it can be used for rent or groceries, but will not be able
34 to be used to offset tuition bills students have incurred. He said the second round of$1.4 million
35 will have more flexibility in what it can be spent on. He said the students had already paid for
36 tuition for this semester, and there is no legal provision to refund it. He said Durham Tech will
37 use some of the second round of funding for those students that had to withdraw and had paid
38 tuition. He said it will be in the form of a credit for future use. He said the flexibility of the
39 second round will help the college to recoup some of its expenses due to the pandemic.
40 Ashton Powell asked if Durham Tech's online delivery has altered the UNC system
41 comprehensive articulation agreements, or the transferred admissions policies.
42 Dr. Ingram said that is a moving target and, as of now, it has not. He said Durham Tech
43 moved from a graded system to a pass/fail system, and the university is leaving it to local
44 campuses as to whether or not to make that decision. He said most university campuses do not
45 accept the no pass/fail option in transfers. He said some students have said that they do not
46 want to go to a pass/no pass/fail option. He said the system has provided some guidance that
47 universities can accept a "high pass" (C or better) but universities do not have to accept that.
48 He said Durham Tech is polling faculty to consider pass/fail option, and his sense is that most
49 faculty will remain with the graded option.
50 Dr. Ingram said he has heard some chatter that graduating high school students are
51 considering foregoing traditional university and going to community colleges instead, due to the
7
1 uncertainty of the times. He said, as of now, Durham Tech's fall enrollments are lagging behind,
2 also due to the uncertainty.
3 Dr. Ingram said the other big unknown of the enrollment demand is that Durham Tech's
4 enrollment typically increases when unemployment levels increase.
5 Amy Fowler asked if the current capacity of Durham Tech classes could be identified, as
6 well as the capacity of the proposed building.
7 Dr. Ingram said Durham Tech is thinking the new building would most likely include
8 allied health options, due to the relationship with UNC Hospitals-Hillsborough. He said
9 additionally, there is a demand in Orange County is for general interest courses and transfer
10 courses, as many students want to move on to a 4-year college. He said it is important to talk to
11 stakeholders.
12 Dr. Ingram said Durham Tech is not as bound by brick and mortar as it was in the past,
13 and allied health and applied trades are always going to be important. He said Durham Tech
14 has been able to transfer many of the applied trades to the virtual environment. He said
15 capacity will be determined by what the budget will allow.
16 Amy Fowler said the K-12 schools use SAPFO, and asked if Durham Tech knows if it is
17 at capacity with its facilities.
18 Dr. Ingram said the use of Durham Tech buildings differs between weekdays, nights,
19 and weekends. He said large capacities of students are enrolled in fewer than 12 hours, or
20 part-time. He said Durham Tech's utilization is one of the highest in the State, but that does not
21 mean they are near capacity all the time.
22 OCS Chair Atherton thanked Durham Tech for the wonderful partnership with the
23 schools. He referred to capacity, and said it would be worth discussing holding some CTE
24 classes in the schools, rather than busing students to Durham Tech.
25 Dr. Ingram said Durham Tech has had those discussions with both school districts in the
26 past, and both districts have developed a schedule that works for them.
27 Chair Rich said the BOCC could take Chair Atherton's comment as a petition, and follow
28 up with Durham Tech.
29 OCS Chair Atherton said he will do the same with his board.
30 Dr. Ingram left the meeting at 8:04 p.m.
31
32 3. Presentation of Orange County Schools Board of Education FY 2020-21
33 Rhonda Rath, OCS Chief Financial Officer, made the following PowerPoint presentation:
34
35 Orange County Schools
36 2020/2021
37 Superintendent's Recommended Local Operating Budget
38
39 OUR FOCUS
40 Equity
41 o Literacy: The ability to reach, write, listen, speak, and thing critically
42 o Climate and Culture: Promoting the heart and soul of Orange County Schools —
43 every student: through norms and values that ensure their success
44 o Stakeholder Engagement: Vital to the success and improvement of Orange
45 County Schools
46
47 Literacy
48 2018-2019 EOG English Language Arts/ Reading Performance - graph
49
50 2018-2019 EOG English Language Arts/ Reading Performance - graph
51 • 45% Grades 3-8 NOT Proficient
8
1
2 Climate and Culture - -graphic
3
4 SEL
5 Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) = SEL is the process through which children and
6 adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show
7 empathy for others, demonstrate cultural sensitivity, establish and maintain positive
8 relationships, and make responsible decisions.
9
10 Orange County Schools Climate and Culture
11 Learner Demographics
12 o 50% of the Orange County Elementary Schools qualify for Title I funding
13 o Free & reduced demographic percentages have increased to 43.25% in 2019
14 o 70.3% of PreK students are on free and reduced meals
15 o Supplemental food distributed at schools
16 ■ Elementary 80-90/weekly
17 ■ Middle 25-30/monthly
18 ■ High School 10-15/monthly
19
20 Stakeholder Enqaqement
21
22 District Reading EOG 3-8 - graph
23
24 EQUITY
25 Achievement stagnant for all students
26 Subgroups consistently below 40% in reading
27 Subgroups disportionately suspended
28 Continue to hire and retain a diverse workforce
29 Addition of 3 equity facilitators
30 Build capacity related to culturally relevant teaching practices
31 Hire and retain diverse workforce
32 African American and Latinx History courses
33 • Support of 13 school-based Equity Teams
34 • Equity onboarding for all new employees
35 • Examination of policies, practices and protocols through an equity lense
36
37 Student Enrollment - graph
38 Student Enrollment
FY2020 FY2021 Change
Projected ADM 7,388 7,381 (7)
Average Daily Membership
Charter School 843 885 42
9
(Less)Out of District 97 110 13
Total Student Billing Base 8,134 8,156 (22)
1 Anticipated Expenses
2
Continuation Budget FY2021
Local Budget 35,716,951
State Mandate Salary Increase 662,900
State Mandate Benefit Increase 321,150
Total Continuation Need 36,701,001
Per Pupil increase $148
3
4 One Time Funding Request
5 No State approved budget for 2019-2020 fiscal year
6 o No budget = No salary increases
7 $1.0 million onetime funding
8 o $1,000 onetime bonuses to OCS Staff
9
10 Anticipated Expenses Continued
Expansion Budget FY2021 PP
10
COVID-19 Student Education Support 250,000 31
Inclement Weather Days 150,000 18
Teacher Assistant Workdays 82,500 10
School Counselors (2) 138,000 17
Academically/Intellectually Gifted teachers 160,000 20
PreK Dual Language 40,000 5
Translator 80,000 10
Social Emotional Coordinator 74,100 9
Directory of Literacy 105,500 13
Equity Facilitators 142,000 17
Maintenance Technicians 192,000 24
Total Expansion Budget 1,414,100 173
Total Per Pupil increase $321
1
2 Superintendents Budget Request - chart
3
4 Commissioner Greene referred to the Director of Literacy position, and clarified that this
5 position existed previously, went away, and is now being requested again. She asked if this is
6 one person for the whole district, how does this person accomplish their work, and what
7 difference has been seen in OCS without the existence of this position.
8 Superintendent Felder said she does not know how the position was leveraged in
9 Orange County, but it has been leveraged in other districts in which she has worked. She said
10 with the current data in OCS, someone with expertise and focus in literacy is needed to build a
11 capacity of school based literacy leaders throughout the district. She said OCS has two literacy
12 facilitators, but as shown in the data, this has to be OCS' focus, in order to find the reasons
13 behind the existence of this data.
11
1 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the charter school numbers, and said OCS is getting
2 close to 12% of its students in charter schools. He said there are tipping points where the public
3 schools are adversely affected, once a certain percentage of students are in enrolled in charter
4 schools. He asked if OCS is seeing any affects thus far.
5 Rhonda Rath said OCS did see a reduction in teachers in the two previous fiscal years
6 with 10 positions lost. She said she does not think OCS has been unable to offer courses, or let
7 any teachers go, as a result of the charter schools. She said State mandated class size
8 restrictions on K-3 have required more teachers so the students moving to charter schools has
9 not resulted in the letting go of any teachers go.
10 Chair Rich asked if Commissioner Dorosin knows the percentage where the tipping point
11 occurs.
12 Commissioner Dorosin said around 15% may be where one starts seeing impact. He
13 said it depends on the types of charters that exist.
14 Commissioner Dorosin clarified that OCS wants $1 million to fund $1000 bonuses, and
15 asked if that means OCS has around 1000 employees that would be eligible for that bonus.
16 Rhonda Rath said yes.
17 Commissioner Dorosin asked if that will include all employees: teachers, office staff,
18 superintendent, principals, etc.
19 Rhonda Rath said OCS has not thought through the semantics that deeply, but basically
20 everyone at a high level will be included as none of those people mentioned by Commissioner
21 Dorosin received any type of pay increase this past fiscal year.
22 Superintendent Felder said it would not include the Superintendent.
23 Commissioner Dorosin said it would include all other high level staff, as it is currently
24 envisioned.
25 Rhonda Rath said yes.
26 Commissioner Dorosin said there is going to be money coming from the federal and
27 state governments, and asked if those funds will be calculated to be utilized for this budget, or
28 supplemental and used in other ways. He said if the schools know the answer to this question it
29 would be helpful for the BOCC to know. He said there is already approximately $500,000 from
30 the State given to both districts, and he asked if there is a plan to spend this money.
31 Commissioner Dorosin said it is clear that there are a lot of children suffering trauma, as
32 a result of Covid-19, and there is going to be a need for counselors and resources to support
33 children and the classrooms. He asked if there is any plan to put in additional resources in for
34 trauma support, and if this may be put in place even before schools re-open.
35 Rhonda Rath referred to the financial piece of the questions, and said the $200,000
36 OCS received from the State is being spent to support the additional compensation that is being
37 offered to staff that have continued to report to work during the stay at home order, and thus put
38 themselves at risk to serve the students and families.
39 Rhonda Rath said OCS has some increased costs for mailing remote learning packages
40 to those students who do not have access to the Internet. She said costs are also being
41 leveraged for the additional hot spots.
42 Rhonda Rath said OCS has received an estimate of$900,00041 million in federal
43 funds, for which OCS must apply with a budget. She said some of the stipulations OCS has
44 received regarding the spending of these funds are purchasing sanitary supplies, mental health
45 services, and devices for students and staff for remote learning. She said OCS does not know,
46 at this point in time, what the long term learning environment will entail. She said OCS hopes to
47 be able to apply for these federal funds by May 1st. She said the state funds are very restricted
48 in how they can be spent.
49 Commissioner Dorosin asked if OCS could update the BOCC if/when the federal dollars
50 are received, and how they will be allocated.
12
1 Commissioner McKee asked if, given the presentation from Bonnie Hammersley, and
2 knowing that this situation has been going on for awhile, and that County revenue reductions
3 are expected, did OCS consider these factors when putting together this budget request. He
4 said a 2-cent increase would be required just to cover the OCS budget.
5 OCS Chair Atherton said OCS did not have the Manager's outlook on funding when
6 creating this budget, although OCS was aware of potential issues. He said OCS went through
7 each item and reduced its original budget. He said OCS has to pass a budget much earlier than
8 tonight's meeting, and OCS created this budget not knowing where the County was budget-
9 wise.
10 OCS Chair Atherton said it is not surprising to see the County's budget numbers.
11 Commissioner McKee said he appreciates the fact that the school boards have to
12 develop their budgets before this time, but there needs to be more discussion on these budgets,
13 given the current situation.
14 Chair Rich said she appreciated OCS going back and doing a post Covid-19
15 assessment to bring down its budget for this meeting tonight. She said this current situation is
16 far worse than the recession 10 years ago.
17 Commissioner Price asked for more clarification on the food distribution, and said it is
18 her understanding that all elementary kids get meals, with no questions asked. She asked if
19 there is a plan to pay for this going forward.
20 Chair Rich said they have had these discussions at the EOC with the schools.
21 OCS Chair Atherton said OCS was seeing increases in general food distribution, not just
22 daily distributions. He said elementary children are free, but middle and high school are not.
23 Rhonda Rath said OCS has the universal breakfast program for all elementary kids.
24 She said for the other foods, OCS has subsidies from the USDA and federal government, and
25 OCS has received enough subsidies to support the food and reduce costs to the students.
26 Rhonda Rath with regard to the other meals, such as snacks, there are some students
27 that do not get them, because they did not apply for the universal breakfasts. She said OCS is
28 aware of some needy children only due to hard won relationships between the school social
29 workers/counselors and families. She said a lot of the food services OCS is offering, due to
30 Covid-19, are being covered by reimbursements. She said donations are coming in from the
31 community to purchase supplemental foods.
32 Commissioner Price asked if she could have more information about the all the food
33 being provided, how much is funded federally, by the state, donations, etc.
34 OCS Chair Atherton said OCS has universal breakfast, but not lunch for elementary, and
35 there is nothing universal for middle or high schools. He said OCS does get donations from the
36 community to pay off accounts, and OCS sees this throughout the year.
37 Chair Rich said it might be difficult to get statistics on the food donation sources.
38 Commissioner Price said she is just interested in what affects the school budget.
39 Commissioner Bedford praised the OCS budget for being organized around what
40 benefits its students (literacy, culture, equity), and noted that OCS has only asked for things that
41 would help its students, but the County is facing an austere budget.
42 Commissioner Bedford asked if, when available, OCS would please share what its
43 projected fund balance will be at June 30, and how that compares to the required percentage, or
44 the policy percentage. She said she would like to know how much OCS appropriates from its
45 fund balance into its budget. She said CHCCS usually appropriates around $1 million. She
46 said this will help her understand OCS' flexibility.
47 Rhonda Rath said the OCS projected unassigned fund balance is $2.8 million, and pre-
48 Covid-19 that was hoping to increase 500,000-700,000.
49 Rhonda Rath said OCS does not appropriate unassigned fund balance to balance their
50 budget for recurring items.
51 Chair Rich asked if OCS has a plan in place if school does not start on time in the fall.
13
1 OCS Chair Atherton said OCS had a short discussion about this, and an increased
2 number of hotspots, purchasing internet devices for buses, and if these buses can be driven into
3 some of the more rural areas.
4 OCS Chair Atherton said OCS has talked about the K-2 students, who do not have the
5 one to one technology, and are looking at devices and a gamut of how remote learning could
6 work more effectively. He said figuring out student learning losses and the needs of EC children
7 are other issues to consider.
8 Superintendent Felder said OCS has started these conversations, and if schools cannot
9 open typically, then remote learning will have to continue, which is evolving over time. She said
10 access to Wi-Fi for students and staff is a huge issue, as well as insuring that everyone has
11 devices. She said an additional challenge is students' social-emotional needs. She said
12 academics cannot be the only focus. She said if a child is hungry or enduring trauma, they will
13 not be available to learn, regardless of the setting. She said OCS is also concerned about
14 closing gaps that will grow over the summer, as well as a result of Covid-19. She said staff is
15 looking into all these areas.
16 Commissioner Marcoplos said no one knows what is going to happen, and the State
17 Superintendent has created a state task force to look at what to do if there is a Covid-19 spike
18 during the summer. He asked if there could be a local County task force to discuss some of
19 these issues, and have a system in place to best respond to the educational and financial
20 component of this pandemic.
21
22 BACKGROUND:
23 Budget uncertainties that we face every year are anticipated to pale in comparison to the fiscal
24 year ahead. We realize that the State and County may very well experience shortfalls as a
25 result of the Stay at Home Order. However, as ambassadors of Orange County students, we
26 remain committed to the well-being and future of every student that we serve. Therefore, after
27 thoughtful and careful deliberations among our staff and Board, we bring the following budget
28 request to you for consideration:
29
30 $36,701,002 Continuation budget that incorporates the following:
31 • Universal breakfast in every elementary school
32 • Anticipated State mandated salary increases:
33 o Five percent certified staff
34 o Two percent all other staff continued
35
36 • Employer retirement contribution increased to 21.44% per eligible employee
37 • Employer hospitalization contribution increased to $6,647 annually per participating
38 employee
39 • Continued focus on identifying and eliminating inequities in access to opportunity and
40 academic barriers for our students.
41
42 $1,414,100 Expansion budget that incorporates the following:
43 • COVID-19 student education support
44 • Two inclement weather days for classified staff
45 • Reinstatement of remaining teacher assistant workdays
46 • Two additional school counselors
47 • Two Academically/Intellectually Gifted teachers ensuring every elementary school has
48 access
49 • Pre-K dual Language program
50 0 One district translator to support our Spanish speaking students and families
14
1 • A Social and Emotional Learning Coordinator
2 • A Director of Literacy
3 • Two Equity facilitators
4 • Four Maintenance Technicians
5
6 We believe the budget presented for your consideration aligns with the Orange County Schools
7 Strategic Plan and our committed focus of ensuring every student is successful and college and
8 career ready. We look forward to the year ahead and getting our students and staff transitioned
9 back to the normal instructional environment.
10
11 As we begin looking forward to the 2020-2021 school year, we would be remiss to not take the
12 opportunity to spend some time looking back on the wonderful things that have occurred during
13 the 2019 -2020 school year.
14
15 Orange County Commissioners approved a $4,352.25 per student funding for 8,134 Orange
16 County School students which represented a total funding appropriation of$35,401,202. This
17 equated to a $187.25 per student increase in funding over the 2018-2019 school year.
18
19 As a result, Orange County Schools received funding to support initiatives such as:
20 • Universal Breakfast in every elementary school which allows every elementary student
21 to receive a breakfast free of charge every day school is in session. Grab and go options
22 are also provided to students that may not choose to receive a hot breakfast.
23 • State mandated Benefit and Salary increases for employees. A $150 per employee
24 increase was realized in hospital insurance premiums as well as more than a 1.0%
25 increase in the employer portion of retirement benefits.
26 • Equity professional development throughout the district to allow for continued work in
27 raising awareness of equity issues that may prevent students from feeling welcomed and
28 heard.
29
30 Commissioners recognized and supported the Equity initiative presented by both Orange
31 County Schools and Chapel-Hill Carrboro City Schools by allocating one time funding of
32 $260,000 towards Foundational Equity Training for both districts.
33
34 Beginning in October, a District Equity Leadership Team (DELT) was formed to examine district
35 policies, practices, programs, structures, climate and culture to identify barriers to equity and
36 excellence. Soon thereafter, the Leadership for Racial Equity Development (LEADS) trainings
37 were conducted. These trainings focused on deepening understanding of institutionalized
38 racism and its impact on student learning, as well as providing support for leading systemic
39 equity transformation initiatives in the district and schools. Throughout this time, additional staff
40 equity training was also occurring. Examples include; Racial Equity Institute (REI) Groundwater
41 training, Culturally Responsive Customer Service, and Equitable, Culturally Responsive and
42 Relevant Learning Environments.
43
44 Identifying and eliminating inequities in access to opportunity and academic barriers remains a
45 priority as we begin looking ahead to the 2020-2021 school year.
46
47 As planning began for the 2020-2021 academic year, little did we know the crisis that was
48 ahead for not only North Carolina but the Nation.
49
15
1 As a result of COVID-19, Governor Cooper closed schools beginning March 16, 2020 through
2 May 15, 2020 to prevent the spread of this deadly virus.
3
4 As quantitative and qualitative data have been reviewed, it has become apparent that certain
5 areas require more focus to impact student achievement. The data is reflecting that focus is
6 needed in three areas:
7
8 1. Literacy
9 2. Climate and Culture
10 3. Stakeholder Engagement
11
12 Focusing on each area through the lens of Equity. Equity and data will continue to drive the
13 work so that every Orange County student receives what they need to succeed. The driving
14 vehicle will be the goals outlined in the Orange County Schools strategic plan.
15
16 1. Challenge and engage every learner to achieve at his/her full potential
17 2. Engage in two-way communication with our stakeholders and diverse community
18 3. Create a career destination for employees
19 4. Provide safe and sustainable operations to support optimal learning facilities and
20 maintenance
21 5. Accountable, equitable and transparent management of human and financial
22 resources
23
24 FOCI I - LITERACY:
25 Literacy is a civil right. It is the ability to read, write, listen, speak and think critically across all
26 disciplines. It should not be viewed as a subject that is taught, rather a civil right we must
27 provide. For our students to be able to engage effectively in the society they live in, we must
28 ensure that they are literate. Literacy is a gateway to opportunity but unfortunately can be a
29 gatekeeper. Research indicates that there is a high cost to low literacy. The Annie E. Casey
30 Foundation reports that 9 out of 10 high school dropouts struggled to read in the 3rd grade.
31
32 Youth who fail to complete high school by age 20 are seven times more likely to be poor as
33 reported by The Urban Institute. It is also reported from the United State of Justice that two-
34 thirds of all youth in the juvenile court system could not read in the fourth grade. Finally, it is
35 alarming to read from the National Commission on Writing that $3.1 billion is spent annually to
36 improve the literacy skills of entry-level workers. The statistics are sobering and speak to the
37 need to focus on literacy. Furthermore, Orange County students deserve to be equipped to
38 participate in civic life through means such as accessing and navigating health care systems.
39 They deserve to be prepared for higher education which on average requires 80 pages of
40 independent reading per week. Data tells us that up to sixty percent of community college
41 freshmen are assigned to remedial reading courses because they are not adequately prepared.
42
43 It is recognize that the Orange County Schools literacy data is disproportionate and does not
44 reflect the potential of our students. As a result, Literacy is a primary focus of the work as we
45 budget and plan for the 2020-2021 school year.
46
47 FOCI II - CULTURE & CLIMATE:
48 Climate is observable habits that characterize life in the school or office while culture is the
49 beliefs that reflect that deeper foundation of how we operate. This plays out for our students as
50 Social and Emotional Learning. Social and Emotional learning is the process through which
51 children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and
16
1 show empathy for others, demonstrate cultural sensitivity, establish and maintain positive
2 relationships, and make responsible decision.
3
4 Unfortunately, the above cartoon reflects many students entering our school buildings today.
5 They are entering our buildings carrying lots of"baggage" and still expected to perform, learn
6 and behave. In order for our students to be the most successful, we have to support the student
7 in a whole child model not just focusing on academics.
8 FOCI III - STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT:
9 According to John Hattie, Education Researcher, "The effect of parental engagement over a
10 student's school career is equivalent to adding an extra two or three years to that student's
11 education."
12
13 Stakeholders have a stake in the school district and its students, which means they have
14 personal, professional, civic, financial interest or concern in the school district. We cannot move
15 this work forward without realizing how vital stakeholder engagement is to the success and
16 improvement of a school district. This engagement can improve outcomes for students.
17
18 By no means are we suggesting or even recommending that the above areas be the only focus
19 for administration going forward. However, we are saying that we need to double down in these
20 areas to improve the outcomes for"EVERY" student in Orange County Schools.
21
22 BUDGET OVERVIEW— FY 2020-2021
23 The 2020-2021 Board of Education approved budget represents Orange County School's
24 commitment to the three foci outlined above and our core belief"First Choice for Families". The
25 District continues to be faced with the challenges of meeting on-going critical academic and
26 social and emotional needs of students and staff while balancing the uncertainty of the many
27 funding sources that provide the resources.
28
29 Orange County Schools continually strives to maximize revenues from all sources which include
30 State, Federal and Local County Governments while ensuring optimal learning environments for
31 our students. Our budget request for the 2020-2021 academic year reflects our commitment.
32
33 Even though our State did not pass a budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, legislation is in place
34 to ensure state agencies can continue operating. Legislation passed in 2017 allows the state
35 government to continue operating utilizing current funding levels. As a result, the state funding
36 levels for the 2019-2020 academic year were funded at the same level as 2018-2019 where a
37 budget was enacted in law. At this time, we are anticipating funding from the State of North
38 Carolina to hold at the 2019-2020 level of$49.0 million. Federal programs are anticipated to
39 contribute $3.4 million in revenue. Other revenue sources for Orange County Schools include
40 two enterprise funds, School Nutrition and After School Care. As Enterprise Funds, these
41 programs are fee based and operate as self-sustaining therefore not requiring funding support
42 from other State, Federal or Local revenues provided to the district in support of operational
43 needs.
44
45 In order to continue operations at the current level and support the projected student ADM,
46 Orange County Schools will require a total of$36.7 million in local revenue from the Orange
47 County Board of County Commissioners. This equates to a necessary increase in the per pupil
48 appropriation of$148 per pupil which will generate additional revenue of$984 thousand. The
49 additional revenue will support:
50 • Continued operations at the current level
51 0 Projected 5% state mandated salary increase for certified staff
17
1 • Projected 2% state mandated salary increase for classified staff
2 • Projected Retirement increase to 21.44%
3 • Projected Hospitalization of$6,647 annually per employee
4 • Elementary Universal Breakfast Program
5 • Continued equity professional development for all staff
6 State mandated benefit and salary increases continue to be the driving force in the requested
7 continuation budget increase. Based on historical data, the employer portion of employee
8 benefits has risen upwards of 30% in the past five years.
9
10 2020-2021 EXPANSION BUDGET
11 As previously stated, legislatures failed to come to an agreement and pass a budget for the
12 2019-2020 fiscal year. As a result, no additional funds were distributed from the State to provide
13 salary increases for all staff. Even though it was approved to give Certified Staff(i.e. teachers)
14 credit for their previous year of experience which allowed movement on the salary scale, the
15 state salary scales remained unchanged for not only Certified but all other staff as well. This
16 decision to credit one year of service did allow Certified Staff (i.e. Teachers) to receive a $1,000
17 annual salary increase. However, no other staff employed with Orange County Schools received
18 any salary increase for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
19
20 We know Commissioners value the service all Orange County Schools employees provide the
21 students attending our schools as much as we do. As a result, we request a onetime funding of
22 $1.OM to provide a onetime bonus to staff. This is not requested as a per pupil increase.
23
24 Now, let's look at the other expansion items being requested for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. As
25 we dug deep into our data, it became very apparent that to move the work forward in the three
26 foci areas outlined at the beginning of this document, additional resources and support would be
27 required.
28
29 Foci I outlines our intent of doubling down on Literacy. Our data reflects that our marginalized
30 students are falling behind in Literacy at an unacceptable level. 45% of our 3rd through 8th
31 grade students are not proficient in reading as reflected on the 2018/2019 end of grade tests.
32 In order to interrupt the systems in place and improve student outcomes, our Board supported
33 and approved the following expansion items in support of the Literacy Foci:
34 $105,500 to hire a Directory of Literacy.
35 o Approx. 64% of our black students in grades 3-8 are not proficient in reading
36 o Approx. 67% of our Hispanic students in grades 3-8 are not proficient in reading
37 o Approx. 85% of our English language learners in grades 3-8 are not proficient in
38 reading
39 o Approx. 87% of our students with disabilities in grades 3-8 are not proficient in
40 reading
41 $138,000 to hire two additional school counselors to offer additional support at various
42 schools. In this year alone, OCS has experienced the following:
43 o 135 suicide assessments
44 o 78 social service referrals
45 o 19 medical emergencies
46 o 400+ referred and/or receiving school based mental health services
47 $74,100 to hire a Social and Emotional Learning Coordinator.
48 o 50% of our students qualify for Title I funding
49 o 43.25% of our K-12 students receive free & reduced meals
50 o 70.3% of our PreK students received free & reduced meals
18
1 o 80-90 bags of supplemental food are distributed weekly in our elementary schools
2 o 25-30 bags of supplemental food are distributed weekly in our middle schools
3 o 10-15 bags of supplemental food are distributed weekly in our high schools
4 o OCS has 150+ McKinney Vento Students (homeless)
5 o 25-30 ESSA students (Foster Care)
6 • $160,000 to hire two additional academically/intellectually gifted (AIG) teachers.
7 o Budget reductions in FY2018 prevented the hire of these two vacant positions.
8 Resources had to be shifted forcing two of our elementary schools to share an AIG
9 teacher with another school.
10 • $40,000 to offer the dual language program to PreK students at New Hope Elementary.
11 The current dual language program offered to Kindergarten's at New Hope elementary is
12 very successful and in high demand. Parents and the community have expressed great
13 desire for the program to begin in PreK.
14
15 In support of our second foci, Climate and culture, our Board supported and approved the
16 following expansion items:
17 • $150,000 to build in two inclement weather days for classified staff. At this time, when
18 the district is closed for inclement weather 12 month classified staff are required to use
19 vacation and in some cases leave without pay.
20 • $82,500 to reinstate pay for 5 teacher assistant workdays. To balance the budget in
21 FY2019 and not eliminate any teacher assistant position, the district no longer allowed
22 teacher assistants to work on teacher workdays. As a result, Teacher Assistant pay was
23 reduced by 14 days. The district was able to protect all teacher assistant positions and
24 recoup approximately $250,000 to balance the budget. The OCS Board and staff realize
25 the value and importance of these staff members in our schools. It is the goal of our
26 Board to eventually reinstate all of the workdays for teacher assistants.
27 $192,000 to increase the maintenance technician staff by four. This expansion request is
28 supported by the following data:
29 o OCS currently has one maintenance technician serving 93,000 square feet. Industry
30 standards are one maintenance technician serving 50,000 square feet.
31 o An additional 50,000 square feet will be added to the district upon completion of the
32 Cedar Ridge High School wing addition and 26,000 square feet added with the
33 opening of the Orange County Schools Welcome Center would be in additional to the
34 93,000 square feet currently being served.
35 o $25.8 million capital improvement budget projects ongoing in the district.
36
37 Our final focus area, Stakeholder Engagement, received Board support and approval for the
38 following expansion items:
39 $80,000 to hire a translator to support schools. We continue to welcome an increase in
40 non-English speaking families attending Orange County Schools. To better support
41 these students and their families, adding a translator will aid in our day to day
42 communications and allow us to better meet the needs of these families. We desire for
43 all of non-English speaking families to feel welcomed and valued as a partner with us in
44 their child's education.
45 $142,000 to add two equity facilitators to build capacity related to culturally relevant
46 teaching practices. Not only would these positions assist in building capacity surrounding
47 culturally relevant teaching practices but we also envision these facilitators; (1) teaching
48 African American and Latinx history courses at the two high schools; (2) Examining
49 policies, practices and protocols through an equity lens; and (3) Additional support to 13
50 school based equity teams. At this time, the OCS Equity Department consists of one
19
1 staff member. We know in looking at our end of grade reading data for grades 3-8, our
2 marginalized students reflect the greatest disparities. Based on the below data:
3 o Achievement is stagnant for all students
4 o Subgroups consistently below 40% in reading
5
6 $250,000 contingency funds for COVID-19 response and support of students and staff.
7
8 The above expansion requests total $1,414,100 or a needed per pupil increase of$173.00.
9
10 2020-2021 BUDGET SUMMARY
11 In summary, the Orange County Schools approved FY2020-2021 local budget presented for
12 funding is comprised of the following:
13 FY2020-2021 Per Pupil Increase
14 Requested
15 Continuation Budget $35,716,952 $27
16 State Mandated Salary Increases $662,900 $81
17 State Mandated Benefit Increases $321,150 $40
18 Total Continuation Budget $36,701,002 $148
19 Literacy Foci Expansion $517,600 $63
20 Climate/Culture Foci Expansion $424,500 $52
21 Stakeholder Engagement Expansion $472,000 $58
22 Total Expansion Budget Request $1,414,100 $173
23 Grand Total Budget Request $38,115,102 $321
24
25
26 4. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
27
28 Jonathan Scott, Interim Chief Financial Officer, made the following PowerPoint
29 presentation:
30
31 Chapel Hill — Carrboro City Schools
32 Board of Education's Local County Appropriation
33 Funding Request for 2020-2021
34 Presented to the Board of County Commissioners
35 4/28/2020
36
37 Strategic Plan Areas
38 • Student Success
39 • Employee Experience
40 • Family and Community Engagement
41 • Organizational Effectiveness
42
43 Budget Background
44 • Economic landscape has shifted, we are unified and committee to providing a quality
45 education driven by our strategic plan as we work to empower, inspire, and engage our
46 students
47 • Our budget process begins with careful consideration of enrollment projections
48 • State projections have been received, and enrollment is estimated at 12,312 students for
49 the 2020-2021 school year. This is not a material change in enrollment
20
1 Should continuation funds not be provided, the District will have to adjust the budget
2 accordingly
3
4 Conti nuation Reg uests:
5 Salary and Benefits
6 The CHCCS Board of Education's (BOE) local County Appropriation Funding Request Includes
7 placeholders for:
8 • Certified salaries and Supplement: 5% for anticipated State salary increases for teachers
9 • Classified Salaries and Supplement: 2% for other public-school employees, and funds to
10 raise up the minimum wage to the Orange County Living Wage, $14.90 per hour
11 • Matching Benefit Cost Increases:
12 o State Requirement, 21.44%
13 o Health Insurance premium, $341 annually
14 o Social Security and Medicare due to increase in salaries
15
16 Continuation Requests:
17 Operational Costs
18 The CHCCS BOE Includes:
19 Increased operational cost of$78,000 at Chapel Hill High School for additional square
20 footage added by the current building renovation
21
22 Continuation Requests (graph)
23 Total Continuation Requests for Salaries and Operational Costs $3, 716, 000- graph
24
25 Board Consideration for Expansion Budget
26 • Received many budget requests from our instructional staff and schools
27 • The items presented are identified needs that the CHCCS administration and BOE
28 prioritized in alignment with our strategic plan:
29 o Student success; family and community engagement; employee experience; and
30 organizational effectiveness
31
32 Expansion Requests (pie chart)
33 Priority Initiatives for Expansion Budget - $4,642,500
34 • Re-entry and Recovery costs from COVID-19 (one time for circumstances)
35 • Cost for continued year of project advance (one year)
36 • 13 additional K-3 classroom teachers due to class size reduction
37 • 13 additional K-3 classroom teacher assistants due to class size reduction
38 • Paid parental leave
39 • 2 days paid salaries for inclement weather
40 • Remove the supplement cap on certified employees
41
42 Expansion Requests (pie chart):
43 Class Size Reduction: Additional Classroom Teachers and Teacher Assistants
44 • Estimated costs: $1,092,000 for teachers
45 • Estimated costs: $ 488,000 for teacher assistants
46 • Estimated costs: $1,580,000
47
48 13 Additional Teachers and Benefits
49 Reduce K-3td grade class size, compliance with House Bill 90.
50 o Create 13 additional classrooms in K-3rd grade levels
21
1 13 Additional Teacher Assistants and Benefits
2 CHCCS historically maintains a teacher assistance per classroom in the kindergarten to
3 third grade levels.
4 Expansion Requests (pie chart):
5 Paid Parental Leave
6 • Estimated cost: $568,000
7 Parental leave would provide multiple important benefits for our employees, their families, and
8 children
9 • Providing paid parental leave will assist the District in enhancing the employee
10 experience
11 • We recommend providing parental leave supplemental income for up to 6 weeks. This
12 request would cover up to 75 employees annually at 100%
13 • This will help the district provide a competitive benefit to attract and retain our teaching
14 staff
15
16 Expansion Requests (pie chart):
17 2 Days Paid Salary for Inclement Weather
18 • Estimated cost: $360,000
19 This request would fund two full days of salaries for all 10-month employed staff(teachers,
20 teacher assistants, child nutrition, and transportation) in the event of future closures
21 In the last few years, the District has repeatedly encountered closings due to inclement
22 weather such as hurricanes, snow, and flooding
23
24 Expansion Requests (pie chart):
25 Remove the Supplement Cap on Certified Employees
26 • Estimated cost: $166,000
27 Certified staff hired after July 1, 2016, who had several years of teaching experience, were no
28 longer eligible to earn a higher supplemental percentage, 20% or 25%
29 We have identified the employees who are part of that cohort of employees to provide
30 the higher supplement rate to those certified staff members
31
32 Expansion Request (pie chart):
33 One Time Cost for COVID 19 Re-Entry and Recovery and Continued Year of Project Advance
34 (Fund balance appropriated, $1,968,500 to cover these one time requests)
35 COVID-19 Re-entry and Recovery
36 • Estimated cost: $1,000,000
37 • Planning and funding for re-entry to guarantee that appropriate supports are available to
38 students at return
39 Continued Year of Project Advance
40 • Estimated cost: $968,500
41 • This request will continue staff incentive pay and hold employees harmless for those that
42 completed coursework
43 • Grant funds have covered the cost of the stipends until 2020-2021
44
45 Projected Revenues and Fund Balance Appropriated
46 • Estimate revenue growth $225,000:
47 o $ 75,000 in fines and forfeitures
48 o $ 25,000 in projected interest revenue
49 o $125,000 projected miscellaneous revenues
50 0 Fund balance appropriated, $1,968,500:
22
1 o $1,000,000 COVID-19 Re-Entry & Recovery
2 o $ 968,500 1-Year Continuation of Project Advance
3
4 Summary Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget Request (pie chart)
5 Total BOE Budget Increase
6 • $3,716,000 Continuation funds
7 • $2,674,000 Expansion funds
8 • $1,968,500 One-time expenditures
9 • $8,358,500 total local operating budget
10 • $225,000 increases in other revenues
11 • $1,968,500 fund balance appropriation
12 • $6,165,000 Total Continuation, Expansion Budget, and one-time request
13 • Increase of$501 per pupil
14 • Correlates to 5.37 cents on the tax rate
15
16 Jonathan Scott said CHCCS is in its last year of contracted custodial services, and is
17 now ready to award the contract to a contractor that pays a living wage of$15 per hour. He
18 said this has driven up the costs of the bids, and it is north of$500,000, with the additional costs
19 of the living wage added.
20 Commissioner Marcoplos referred to the custodial services bids, and asked if CHCCS
21 has looked into the comparative costs of bringing these services in house.
22 Jonathan Scott said a committee looked at the bids and it is considerably more money to
23 bring these services in house, due to the cost of purchasing equipment and supplies.
24 Interim Superintendent Abele said to bring these services back in house would be about
25 $1 million, including personnel and capital costs for supplies. He said the $500,000 was an
26 increase in contractor costs, due to the living wage, over the current contract price. He said
27 bringing services in house has far more start up costs for equipment, etc.
28 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the outside contract is $500,000, or if it is $500,000 in
29 addition to what it has cost previously.
30 Jonathan Scott said CHCCS anticipated an increase of$500,000 to bring the employees
31 up to the living wage, and an additional $500,000 to bring it all back in house. He said the
32 contract is well over$1 million.
33 Jonathan Scott said the contract is $1.7 million.
34 Commissioner Marcoplos clarified if CHCCS were to bring custodial services in house, it
35 would have to buy supplies and equipment. He said the equipment would be a onetime cost,
36 and he wondered what the outlook over three years would be if the services were brought in-
37 house. He asked if there might be savings over time.
38 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the contract breakdown could be given again.
39 Jonathan Scott said the base contract is $1.7 million for the cleaning, and then an
40 additional $500,000 to pay the living wage, bringing the total to $2.2 million
41 Commissioner Dorosin said the current contractors are not paying a living wage.
42 Jonathan Scott said yes, and noted that this is an older contract.
43 Commissioner Dorosin said this is an annual conversation, and he would promote that
44 there are additional benefits to the community by bringing custodial services in-house.
45 CHCCS Chair Wolfe said one current cleaning company is a family owned business, and
46 both current contractors do bring the values that Commissioner Dorosin mentioned. She said
47 CHCCS does have a balance of in house workers during the day, and other services at night.
48 She said the BOE has asked similar questions, and reviewed this issue at length. She said it is
49 a multi-year contract, and staff is gathering more information that will be provided to the Orange
50 County Board of Commissioners.
23
1 Chair Rich said she agreed with Commissioner Dorosin that there are huge benefits to
2 having in-house staff, as that staff takes greater pride in their school "home" and it fosters
3 greater community in the school buildings.
4 Commissioner Greene referred to the per pupil costs, and said the increase would be
5 $501 for both expansion and continuation budgets. She asked if the increase for just the
6 continuation budget could be identified.
7 Jonathan Scott said the increase is $301.82 for just the continuation budget, as
8 presented this evening.
9 Commissioner Greene said she was comparing the two districts' budgets, and OCS is
10 asking for$321 for continuation and expansion, and $173 for just the continuation budget.
11 Chair Rich referred to Project Advance, and said in 2016 she questioned Dr. Forcella
12 about this program, as it was one of the few occasions that school staff had reached out to her
13 for help, as they were not happy to be taking part in the program. She said Dr. Forcella told her
14 that Project Advance would never cost Orange County any money, but now CHCCS is asking
15 for$1 million to pay for this program. She asked if the discrepancy could be explained.
16 Dr. Pam Baldwin said that these funds were supposed to come from retirees, and the
17 funds did not come forward to support the program so CHCCS had to finds funds elsewhere for
18 professional training. She said initial calculations were in error, and people did not retire as
19 expected. She said ongoing professional development is extremely important.
20 Chair Rich said it is interesting that the plan has not worked out, and now the financial
21 need is before the County. She said the BOCC was assured in 2016 that this program would
22 not cost the County any money.
23 Dr. Baldwin said the flip side to this is that CHCCS still has some veteran teachers in the
24 district, as they did not retire as planned, and this experience is invaluable.
25 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the expansion budget item of two inclement weather
26 days, and asked if there is a plan in place for the funds if these days are not needed/used.
27 Jonathan Scott said the funds would roll into the general fund balance. He said there
28 have been more than two inclement weather days for the past several years.
29 Commissioner Dorosin asked if this is two days in addition to the normal days.
30 Jonathan Scott said these funds are targeted toward bus drivers, cafeteria workers, etc.
31 who have to have an instructional day in order to work.
32 CHCCS Chair Wolfe said there are not days set aside, but rather days that can be used
33 as make up days. She said, thanks to remote learning, instruction may be able to continue on a
34 snow day, and this budget item is truly to protect those that would lose salary without
35 instructional days. She said this is a high priority for the CHCCS staff.
36 Commissioner Dorosin asked if this is the same with parental leave. He said it is
37 earmarked for 75 employees, and asked if this number is based on the past several years
38 experience, and if this money is not used will the funds also roll in to the general fund.
39 Jonathan Scott said yes, these numbers are based on historical data, and if not used,
40 the funds will go back into the general fund. He said it is also possible that numbers will exceed
41 75, and then the opposite would be true.
42 Commissioner Dorosin referred to removing the supplemental cap related to employees
43 hired after June 2016, and asked if employees hired now would not cause this to be a recurring
44 expense.
45 Jonathan Scott said when CHCCS moved to the Project Advance model, CHCCS raised
46 its supplements to 16%. He said all supplements were to be set at 16%, and additional stipends
47 could be earned with participation in Project Advance. He said the previous administration let
48 go of that, and grandfathered everyone that was at 20 and 25 into those bands forever, and still
49 able to participate in project advance. He said when the supplement was raised to 16%, the
50 BOE placed a cap on the local supplement for anyone coming into the district after July 1, 2016;
51 so no matter how many years experience one had, one would be capped at 16%. He said
24
1 CHCCS is trying to move away from project advance, so it no longer makes sense to keep
2 employees capped if they have the necessary years of experience to qualify for additional
3 stipends. He said this is an expansion budget request, and the $166,000 would go into the
4 expansion budget and be available for coming years. He said the BOE feels removing this cap
5 is important for recruiting and retaining high quality employees.
6 Commissioner Dorosin said then this would apply to anyone that is hired moving
7 forward.
8 Jonathan Scott said yes, but that supplemental cap does not move until teachers are at
9 20 years of experience, and most teachers will not qualify at hiring, but it could be something for
10 them to look forward to, and aid in retention.
11 Rani Dasi said this request would move all CHCCS employees on to the same salary
12 scale.
13 Commissioner Bedford referred to the $380,000 from the State to the BOE, and asked if
14 this has been spent in a particular way.
15 Jonathan Scott said CHCCS received $380,000 from DPI, and used half of these funds
16 to provide a monthly $60 tele-work stipend to those staff that were eligible. He said CHCCS
17 also purchased many hot spots, which has used a good amount of the funds, and is holding the
18 rest for different requests in the future.
19 Chair Rich said the hotspots are an expensive band-aid, and she encouraged the
20 schools to contact North Carolina legislators to push for consistency on broadband access.
21 Commissioner Bedford expressed appreciation for all the BOEs and staff for feeding
22 kids, and keeping them educated during this pandemic.
23 Ashton Powell said he would like to talk more about the mental health needs that will
24 arise out of the Covid-19 pandemic, and is especially concerned for parents who are
25 simultaneously trying to be parents, teachers, breadwinners, etc. He said the schools are a
26 fabulous access point to get services to families, and he hopes the schools can work closely
27 with the County on these needs.
28 Joal Broun said she wished that the Orange County Board of Commissioners would also
29 send a letter to the legislators about broadband. She said the schools have also been working
30 with the Town of Carrboro, who is sharing broadband near the schools.
31 Chair Rich said the BOCC has written many letters at the local, state and federal levels,
32 and is working diligently on this issue.
33 Commissioner Price asked if CHCCS could provide a breakdown of what is being
34 allocated toward supplemental food. She agreed with Ashton Powell about the increased need
35 for mental health services and support.
36 Commissioner Price echoed Chair Rich's comments about broadband.
37 Commissioner McKee thanked the schools for this conversation, and said no one knows
38 what lies ahead in the next year, or years. He said the potential worst case is another 1929. He
39 said these school budgets are not doable for him at this time, especially if they involve tax
40 increases. He asked if both districts could look at their budgets again to pare them down.
41 Amy Fowler said the schools will do what has to be done. She said she and Brenda
42 Stephens spoke to Senator Burr about broadband in February, and she said it looks like things
43 are not going to improve any time soon. She said Senator Burr said he favored satellite service.
44 Commissioner Greene thanked both school districts for their presentations, both of
45 which were excellent, despite the different formats. She said she would like to know more about
46 food, and how does CHCCS budget for food, because there is a tremendous issue with hunger
47 and poverty in Orange County. She said TABLE suggested not having the distribution points at
48 the schools since they are currently closed. She asked if the percentage of free and reduced
49 lunch eligible children in CHCCS could be identified.
50 Dr. Pam Baldwin said it is 25.83 % (15% at high schools, which is probably low).
51 Rani Dasi asked if Commissioner McKee is asking for something specific.
25
1 Commissioner McKee asked if the BOEs can pare down their figures. He said everyone
2 will need to make some hard decisions, as he cannot, in good conscience, ask the taxpayers of
3 the County to pay a sizeable tax increase.
4 Rani Dasi said usually the process is that the BOCC comes back with a recommended
5 budget, and the conversations continue from there.
6 Commissioner McKee said he wants to work in a partnership process to reach a number
7 that is reasonable, manageable and equitable. He said the current requests are not
8 manageable. He said the BOEs are elected officials, and he would not presume to direct them.
9 Rani Dasi said maybe guidance from Orange County would be helpful, because even if
10 the schools came back with their budgets cut it half; it may not be very helpful. She said there is
11 such a chasm between the needs and the available resources.
12 Chair Rich said the Manager's recommended budget will be presented May 51", and an
13 entirely new budget has been created due to Covid-19. She said the BOCC found out today
14 that Orange County tourism lost $2.8 million in March, and will lose twice that much in April.
15 She said over 19,000 are out of work in the service industries. She said the BOCC is meeting
16 with the Manager, and will receive her budget next week. She said Commissioner McKee is
17 asking the BOEs to work out how to scale back, and try their best to support children while
18 realizing the financial reality of the pandemic. She said this crisis is not a matter of months, but
19 will effect years to come. She said the BOCC cannot ask residents to pay a sizeable tax
20 increase.
21 Rani Dasi said she appreciates the financial reality, but the bare minimum CHCCS can
22 present is likely its continuation budget, so it may be helpful for the BOCC to provide some
23 further guidance.
24 Commissioner McKee said it will be clear what the Board is expecting after the May 5tn
25 meeting. He said this evening he and Chair Rich are just expressing their opinions.
26 Amy Fowler echoed Rani Dasi's comments, and said the BOE is prepared to make
27 adjustments, but it does not make sense to do so until the BOCC has issued its recommended
28 budget.
29 Chair Rich said it is important for the school districts to understand that the financial
30 deficits are real, and no one is clear how this crisis is going to end. She said no one is pointing
31 fingers, but rather working together to move the process forward.
32
33 CHCCS Budget Background
34
35 Student Data
36 We always begin our budget process by carefully considering our enrollment projections. State
37 enrollment projections ultimately determine both State and local funding levels. For this request,
38 the District is using an enrollment projection of 12,312 that was provided by the North Carolina
39 Department of Public Instruction. The estimated enrollment is expected to increase by five
40 students over the 2019-2020 levels.
41
42 Revenues
43 We estimate additional revenue growth of$225,000, consisting of$75,000 in fines and
44 forfeitures, as well as $25,000 in projected increase to interest revenue, and an anticipated
45 increase in our miscellaneous revenues of$125,000
46
47 Continuation Budget Requests
48 The Board of Education recommends the continuation budget to include anticipated State salary
49 increases for teachers and other public-school employees, costs related to matching employer
50 benefits, and operational costs. Due to the renovations at Chapel Hill High School, the square
51 footage will increase; therefore, operational costs for 2020-2021 will increase. Due to the current
26
1 economic climate and the excepted downturn, some of these costs will remain like the increase
2 in matching employer benefit costs, salary increase for Orange County's Living Wage Rate, and
3 operational costs.
4
5 Total Continuation Requests:
6 Certified Salary & Benefits $2,563,960
7 Classified Salary & Benefits $844,040
8 Operational Costs $78,000
9
10 Benefit Increases
11 The Board of Education recommended budget includes amounts for anticipated State salary
12 increases for teachers and other public-school employees, as well as increases to costs related
13 to matching employer benefits, such as Social Security and Medicare, State retirement
14 employer, and health insurance premiums.
15
16 There will be an increase in the employer State retirement matching from 19.70% to 21.44%
17 (based on guidance from NCDPI). The 1.74% increase must be applied to all covered local
18 operating fund employees; therefore, the incurred cost will be about $905,000. Furthermore,
19 there will be a 5.4% increase to the employer-paid health insurance premium, increasing it from
20 $6,306 to $6,647. This will incur a cost of$279,500 for all locally funded employees participating
21 in the State Health Plan.
22
23 Potential State Salary Increases
24 We have collaborated with peers from surrounding districts to gain the best estimates of the
25 budget drivers in this request. We anticipate a 5% increase in certified staff and a 2% increase
26 in classified salaries. An increase in salary results in increased locally paid supplement costs.
27 Due to the salary increases, the employer matching Social Security, Medicare, and retirement
28 associated costs increases. The anticipated impact is provided in the table below.
29
30 We realize any pay increases could be subject to change based on COVID-19 and the
31 economic implications for the 2020-2021 school year.
32
33 Orange County's Living Wage Rate
34 Additionally, we have included $230,000 to fund increases in salaries currently below Orange
35 County's Living Wage Rate updated rate. This additional request will ensure all District
36 employees will comply with the updated Orange County Living Wage Rate of$14.90.
37
38 In total, between the salary increases, the resulting increases to matching employer benefit
39 costs, and state-mandated increases in the retirement rate and health insurance premiums, and
40 cost to move employees currently earning less than $14.90 to the updated Orange County's
41 Living Wage Rate, is estimated to be about $3.638 million.
42
43 Operational Costs
44 The Board of Education recommended budget also includes costs for the additional square
45 footage that will be added to Chapel Hill High School once the new building is operational. The
46 additional square footage added will be 23,967 ft2, for a total building space of 278,508 ft2.
47
48 Facility upkeep for the old CHHS buildings was approximately $1.77/ft2. We anticipate a similar
49 cost for the new facility. Utility costs for CHHS average $1.43/ft2. We anticipate a similar utility
50 cost for the new facility. The total increased operational costs incurred from the additional
51 square footage equals $78,000.
27
1
2 Continuation Request Summary
3 The continuation requirement is composed of anticipated increases in salaries, supplements,
4 employer matching benefits, and health insurance premiums, that total $3,638,000. Also,
5 $78,000 is needed for operational costs due to the increased square footage of the completed
6 Chapel Hill High School construction coming online. Our continuation budget, which reflects the
7 amount of additional funding necessary to continue current operations, is forecast in total at
8 $3,716,000, which is about $302 per pupil.
9
10 Expansion Budget Requests
11 We received many budget requests from our program managers and schools. While these all
12 represent legitimate identified needs, the administration prioritized the request in alignment with
13 the strategic plan:
14
15 Cost for Additional Year of Project Advance
16 (Strategic Plan Goals: Student Success and Employee Experience)
17 State grant funds have provided the funding for Project Advance since December 2016. The
18 grant funds will not be available starting in the 2020-2021 school year. To hold employees
19 harmless and continue to receive their incentive pay for attaining Project Advance LEARN and
20 GROW levels, it will cost an additional estimated $968,500 of local funds.
21
22 COVID-19 Re-Entry and Recovery
23 (Strategic Plan Goals: Student Success, Family & Community Engagement, and Organizational
24 Effectiveness)
25 Although the timing of school reopening is still uncertain, our schools will return to normal
26 operations at some point. Planning and funding for re-entry and recovery will be needed.
27 Currently, the amount of funding is difficult to estimate. However, an allocation of$1,000,000 is
28 included to prepare our schools for the transition back to face-to-face instruction in a way that
29 makes everyone feel safe and invited back into our buildings. The allocation of funds for re-entry
30 will help to ensure that appropriate supports are available to students. Since this has been an
31 unprecedented time, we do not know what supports our learners will need, but we need to be
32 prepared for the additional cost.
33
34 Class Size Reduction
35 (Strategic Plan Goal: Student Success)
36 13 Additional Teachers with Benefits
37 The District has identified the need to hire thirteen teachers in the kindergarten to third-grade
38 levels from local funds among the eleven elementary schools to reduce the class sizes and
39 meet the requirements of House Bill 90.
40
41 On February 13, 2018, the North Carolina House General Assembly ratified House Bill 90 to
42 phase in class size requirement for kindergarten through third grade. The House Bill refers to
43 the current General Statute 115C-301 for allocation of teacher and class size, as shown in the
44 chart below. Chapel Hill — Carrboro City Schools had been granted a waiver for the prior two
45 years.
46
47 By using an average salary for the thirteen teacher positions paid from local funds and matching
48 benefits, the estimated cost incurred will be about $1,092,000.
49
50 13 Additional Teacher Assistants with Benefits
28
1 The District has identified the need to create an additional thirteen classes in the kindergarten to
2 third-grade levels to meet the requirements of North Carolina House Bill 90. Chapel Hill —
3 Carrboro City Schools has historically maintained a teacher assistant per classroom in the
4 kindergarten to third-grade levels. It is recommended to hire an additional thirteen teacher
5 assistants to serve with the new classes. By using an average teacher assistant salary and
6 matching benefits cost, the estimated cost incurred will be about $488,000.
7
8 Remove Supplement Cap on Certified Employees
9 (Strategic Plan Goal: Employee Experience)
10 Certified staff hired after July 1, 2016, who had several years of teaching experience, were no
11 longer eligible to earn a higher supplement percentage, 20% or 25%. We have identified the
12 employees who are part of that cohort of employees and determined that it would cost the
13 District about $166,000 in additional local funds to provide the higher supplement rate to those
14 certified staff members.
15
16 Parental Leave and/or FMLA
17 (Strategic Plan Goal: Employee Experience)
18 Parental leave would provide multiple important benefits for our employees, their families, and
19 children. Providing paid parental leave will assist the District in enhancing the employee
20 experience. Parental leave supports parent-child bonding, improves children's outcomes, and
21 may increase gender equity in the workplace. Historical data was used to determine an average
22 of 75 employees annually were on FLMA for the birth of a child or adoption. We recommend
23 providing parental leave supplemental income for up to six weeks at 100%. This will help the
24 District provide a competitive benefit to attract and retain our teaching staff. Using the historical
25 data, the estimated cost incurred from this benefit would be $568,000.
26
27 2 Days Paid Salary for Inclement Weather
28 (Strategic Plan Goal: Employee Experience)
29 In the last few years, the District has repeatedly encountered closings due to inclement weather
30 such as hurricanes, snow, and flooding. This request would fund two full days of salaries for all
31 10-month employed staff(teachers, teacher assistants, child nutrition, and transportation) in the
32 event of future closures. The cost incurred would be $360,000.
33
34 Expansion Summary
35 The total of these Expansion Request items is $4,642,500, which is about $377 per pupil.
36 Through our work with strategic plan alignment, along with a focus on providing some flexibility
37 in resource allocation, we feel we can further maximize the District's resources in more targeted
38 efforts. This will allow for each school to meet their unique needs and align with their school
39 improvement plans. Supporting our student's needs, and fostering an improved employee
40 experience through additional benefits, the CHCCS Board of Education respectively ask the
41 county for funding related to the above expansion items.
42
43 Fund Balance
44 We currently estimate our fiscal year end unassigned fund balance at $12.1 million. This is
45 approximately $7.9 million above our minimum target of 5.5% or$4.2 million. The District
46 historically has assigned $1 million to balance the current local operating budget. Over the past
47 few years, that amount has varied as the Board and District has appropriated funds for capital
48 projects as well as dealing with compression in the classified salary schedules. We recommend
49 appropriating $1,968,500.
50
51 Summary FY 2020-21 Budget Request
29
1 The District's funding desire is to help sustain our upward trends in student performance by
2 continuing to empower, inspire, and engage EVERY student and staff members through our
3 instructional programs, and services.
4
5 The total Local Operating Budget increase of$8,358,500 would help us significantly to continue
6 our vital work through sustaining operations with continuation funds of$3,716,000 and to
7 continue pushing for growth with expansion funds of$4,642,500. This would ensure we can
8 keep our programs and schools moving forward.
9
10 Our estimates for other revenue changes indicate a revenue increase of$225,000 for next year.
11 After accounting for these revenue increases and a $1,968,500 fund balance appropriation, the
12 total continuation and expansion budget request is $6,165,000 or 5.37 cents on the tax rate.
13 This would correlate to an increase of about $501 per pupil, based on NCDPI's estimated
14 enrollment level for 2020-2021.
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16 A motion was made by Commissioner McKee to adjourn the meeting at 10:24 p.m.
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20 Penny Rich, Chair
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23 Donna S. Baker
24 Clerk to the Board
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