HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 10-17-23; 6-a - Consideration of Increased Allocation for Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools Board of Education Members 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 17, 2023
Action Agenda
Item No. 6-a
SUBJECT: Consideration of Increased Allocation for Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools Board of
Education Members
DEPARTMENT: County Manager
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Attachment 1: September 7, 2023 Kelly Guadalupe, (919) 245-2156
CHCCS Resolution
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution approving a request for an increased monthly allocation for
members of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) Board of Education.
BACKGROUND: On September 7, 2023, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of
Education approved a resolution requesting an increase to be considered by the Board of County
Commissioners. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education requests an increase
in Board members' stipends — from the current stipend of$334 per month (or $4,008 per year) to
$1,118 per month for five Board members, the Board Vice Chair receiving $1,263, and Board
Chair receiving $1,409 per month. This is an increase of$784 per month or $9,408 per year for a
single Board member, and a combined increase of $71,088 per year for all Board members
together, including the higher rates for the two Board leadership positions.
It is proposed that this become effective January 1, 2024, after the November 2023 Board of
Education election, including the new Board's selection of Chair and Vice Chair for 2024. As it
reflects an expense allowance, North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 115C-38 requires Board
of County Commissioners' approval, consistent with the procedures described in NCGS 153A-92,
before it can go into effect.
Under North Carolina General Statute 115C-38, and per the authority set in North Carolina
General Statute 153A-92, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) sets the compensation of
board of education members annually during the budget approval process:
"The tax-levying authority for a local school administrative unit may, under the procedures of
G.S. 153A-92, fix the compensation and expense allowances paid members of the board of
education of that local school administrative unit. Funds for the per diem, subsistence, and
mileage for all meetings of county and city boards of education shall be provided from the
current expense fund budget of the particular county or city. The compensation and expense
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allowances of members of boards of education shall continue at the same levels as paid on
July 1, 1975, until changed by or pursuant to local act or pursuant to this section."
Based on this, the Manager recommends the Board of Commissioners consider the new monthly
stipend rates of$1,118 per month for CHCCS Board members, $1,263 for the CHCCS Board Vice
Chair and $1,409 for the CHCCS Board Chair. The annualized cost of this action would be
$71,088. Funding for the remainder of FY 2023-24 could be provided through an increase in the
County's current expense funding towards Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools by appropriating
fund balance.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funding for the stipend increases could increase the appropriation of fund
balance for FY 2023-24 as approved by the BOCC. For the months January through June 2024,
an additional $35,544 would be needed for the requested CHCCS increase. To follow Orange
County General Fund appropriations for local school districts policy, the corresponding allocation
to Orange County Schools (OCS) would increase by $25,278. The total additional appropriation
of fund balance needed for FY 2023-24 would be $60,822.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal applicable to this
item.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board consider the attached
resolution approving an increased allocation for members of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Board of Education. The Manager further recommends that, if the resolution is approved, the
Board provide direction to staff regarding presenting a future budget amendment to increase the
appropriation of fund balance for FY 2023-24 by $60,822, with $35,544 allocated to CHCCS, and
$25,278 allocated to OCS.
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HMEL HILL
ORO
CITY SCHOOLS
By Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education
Requesting Increased Allocation from Orange County Board of County Commissioners for
Board of Education support (after next election)
WHEREAS, the current CHCCS Board of Education recognizes that fair and equitable
representation of the greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro community on future Boards depends on the
broadest possible access and opportunity for those with the desire to enter public service.
WHEREAS, the time commitment of effective Board service, which includes (but is not limited
to)full Board meetings, committee meetings, meeting preparation, community engagement,
email correspondence plus other public appearances and commitments not stated here can
range from 60-70 hours of work per month for all members, with Board leadership serving an
additional 20 hours per month.
WHEREAS, the current stipend of$334 per month (or $4,008 per year) for Board members may
deter qualified candidates who are unable to invest upwards of 800 hours per year without
reasonable financial support.
WHEREAS, the Board of Education proposes a request for consideration by the Orange County
Commissioners to raise the compensation for future Board of Education service to $1,118 per
month for five Board members, with the Board Vice Chair earning $1,263 and Board Chair
earning $1,409 per month.
WHEREAS, this is an increase of$784 per month or $9,408 per year for a single Board
member, and a combined increase of$69,600 per year for all Board members together,
including the slightly higher rates for the two Board leadership positions.
WHEREAS, the request is that the proposal would not be effective until after the November
2023 Board of Education election, including the new Board's selection of Chair and Vice Chair
for 2024.
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WHEREAS, fair and equitable representation of current and future generations of students,
families and staff will be improved by making Board service more appealing to members of the
Chapel Hill-Carrboro community.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of
Education supports this request for a reasonable increase in support to be considered by the
Board of County Commissioners, which (if approved) would not take effect until a new Board is
seated after November 2023. Furthermore, the Board stipulates that this request is for new
funding, and not a reallocation of existing funds that are dedicated specifically for students and
staff of CHCCS.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education
September 7, 2023
Rani Dasi, Board Chair
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Dr. Nyah Hamlett, Superintendent
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
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RES-2023-066 Attachment 2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF INCREASED
ALLOCATION FOR CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO CITY SCHOOLS BOARD OF
EDUCATION MEMBERS
WHEREAS, members of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education
recognizes that fair and equitable representation of the greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro
community on future Boards depends on the broadest possible access and opportunity
for those with the desire to enter public service; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute §115C-38 provides that a local tax levying
board may "fix the compensation and expense allowances paid members of the board
of education of that local school administrative unit;" and
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education has requested
it be allowed to provide its members an increased compensation at $1,118 per month
for Board members, $1,263 per month for Board Vice Chair, and $1,409 per month for
Board Chair, effective January 1, 2024;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Board of Education is authorized to provide its members an increased compensation
as requested.
Adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners this 17t" day of October, 2023.
By: Attest:
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board
Orange County Board of Commissioners
[SEAL]