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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04-29-2025-Joint Meeting With School Boards 1 APPROVED 6117/25 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JOINT MEETING WITH CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION AND ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION April 29, 2025 7:00 p.m. The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a joint meeting with the Chapel Hill- Carrboro Board of Education and the Orange County Board of Education on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Center in Hillsborough, NC. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jamezetta Bedford, Vice-Chair Jean Hamilton and Commissioners Marilyn Carter, Amy Fowler, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, and Phyllis Portie- Ascott COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None. COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Travis Myren, Interim Deputy County Manager Caitlin Fenhagen, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESENT: Chair George Griffin, Vice- Chair Riza Jenkins, and Board Members Meredith Ballew (arrived at 7:04 pm), Rani Dasi, Vickie Feaster Fornville, Michael Sharp CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO BOARD OF EDUCATION ABSENT: Board Member Barbara Fedders CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO SCHOOLS (CHCCS) STAFF PRESENT: Superintendent Nyah Hamlett and Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Scott (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESENT: Chair Anne Purcell, Vice-Chair Andre Richmond, and Board Members Will Atherton, Carrie Doyle, Bonnie Hauser, Wendy Padilla, and Sarah Smylie ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ABSENT: None ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS (OCS) STAFF PRESENT: Superintendent Danielle Jones and Chief Finance Officer Rhonda Rath (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) Chair Bedford called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All commissioners were present. WELCOME, CALL TO ORDER, AND AGENDA OVERVIEW Chair Bedford welcomed the elected officials and staff from Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools. Commissioners, school board members, and staff introduced themselves. George Griffin acknowledged Nyah Hamlett, who is leaving CHCCS at the end of June. He thanked her for everything she has contributed to CHCCS during her tenure. Chair Bedford reviewed the agenda for the meeting. 1. School Budget Presentations a. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Nyah Hamlett is leaving her position this year. She thanked the county commissioners and staff for their partnership through unprecedented financial challenges. She indicated that since she started with CHCCS the budget document has grown. She said this budget presented 2 tonight is a collective vision of staff, the community, and students. She gave an overview of the items that make up the district's expansion budget request. Nyah Hamlett made the following presentation: Slide #1 P1 Opp LU Board of Education'sOperating Budget Request U'- Year • Nyah Hamlett, Jonathan S • • •�Est.11�p9. STRATEGIC PLAN April 21, 2025 2022-2027 Slide #2 INVESTING IN OUR SCHOOLS: STABILITY & GROWTH Cortinuation Budget-Keeping Our Schools Shang • 3%Salary&Wage Increases-Empowering,equppirg,and investing in the people wtio shape student success Benett Increases-Covering Hsi ng healthcare and employer matching contributions 3%Inflationary Adjustment-Ensuring schools have the resources to operate effectively Expansion Budget-Elevating C HCCS for the rvture t,gr.Increasing Classified Staff Supplements-Valuing the critical contributions of classified employees It In€huctional Resources Sustafrabiiy Fund-Sec,-nng hig h-clud ity,culturally responsive,future-proof materials +fy Reinstating IlhashN's Level Pay-Recognizing and retaining top educators s iangeted Certified Supplement Increase- Strengthen recrutment and retention of easy-and mid-career educators ' Restoring School Suppod Posillil-Reinstating teacher assistants,tech facilitators,and counselors for student support this is an investment in slabittty,growth,and the future of our students and staff Chapel rilFC—bom City&shoalsI haas,o-rg THINK (AND ACT) Nyah Hamlett said the growth they are pursuing today is for tomorrow. 3 Slide#3 LU LL LL Continuation Request Keeping Our Schools Strong Jonathon Scott said there are no legislated increases included in this budget. He said allocations may look different if the General Assembly ends up passing any legislation that would increase expenses for school districts. Slide #4 CONTINUATION BUDGET COST DRIVERS A continuation budget ensures that our schods can mcintoin essentid operations,sustan current programs,aid adjust for rising o as is Wthout disruption.R covers n ecessary e>qoenses such as salary increases,benefits,and inflationary adjustments to keep our distriot running effectively. + Sdaies 8 Wages-$1,60d,2d0 ■ Estimated 3%3alary increcme for all staff ■ holuds$1,19Z330forbase salaries and$411,910for local supplements ■ Adjustments may be needed based on the final NC General Assemblybudget Be neflt Increases-$1,735,136(F7J%m creorse) ■ Employer-required contributions for FICA,TS ERS,and health insurance ■ TSERS rate rising tom 2404%to 2&66%.�F&89.5 increase) ■ Health insurance pre rriums inorecming tom$8,045to$8,373 per employee(+a493 Acrearse) Other Non-Salaried Operating Ccsts-$d85,399 ■ 3%inflationay adjustment to sustain daily operations ■ Cover utilities,transportation,instructional moterids,techno logy,and othe r non personnel expendtures Budget Estimates 8 Ake ihodology ■ In the obsenoeoffornalguidance from the NCGeneralAssembly,these prcjeotions were estimated using li near r egress ion ❑ndysis based on historical trends and ontoipoted post ohanges. Chapclkl1< b..City I{h-$,erg THINK (AND ACT) 4 Slide #5 CONTINUATION SUMMARY Total Continuation Need: continuation Item cost Salaries and Wages L 1,604,240 Rreakwwn of Conunuawn Need Ndti90 Err 5% Required Notching Benefits 1,735,136 ,-•Y. Non-salary op era ling costs 485,3PP I A9d73 aorlx Toiol Budgeted Coninuaion Costr $3,824,775 Remaining DeficitafferRevenue Chances: Budgeiory consideration Impact Total Con tin oton Costs before Beven ue Chan es b[3,824,775] e411W1e-1FP in is lion ary S pecial District Tax R evenu a 668,384 h crease Toiol Con i nu ai on Need after Revenue $(3,255,341) ChIdes Chap el HlF 03rt6oro CSiy khools I ch—rg -THINK (AND ACT) Commissioner McKee asked for more information regarding the increase for benefits. Jonathon Scott said they have a 3% increase for the local wages, they have a base rate of about $1,600,000 for local wages and if they add a 1% increase to the retirement rate, then have to pay that additional rate. Commissioner McKee asked if the retirement rate is above and beyond the salary. Jonathon Scott said there has been an increase in the retirement rate almost every year since he started in the field 25 years ago. He said when he started it was about 4% and now it is 25%. He said it can become quite a burden on the total budget. Slide #6 Ir LL Expansion Request Elevating CHCCS for the Future PEOMM11V LU 5 Jonathon Scott said CHCCS recognizes that budgets are tight this year with everything happening at the federal and state levels but have included the expansion request for consideration. Chair Bedford asked if the expansion budget items are listed in order of priority. Jonathon Scott said no. Slide #7 EXPANSION BUDGET - INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE An expansion budgetfunds strategic investments that go beyond maintaining current operations, allowing us to enhance oppodun lies for students and sluff,aHract and retain tap talent,and ensure long-term sustainability. This Year's Expansion Budget Request Includes: ri Increasing Classified Staff Supplements-$725,000 Instructional Resources Su stainability Fund-$1,300,000 Reinstating Master's Level Pay-$2,350,000 Increasing Certiied Supplement(0-19 yrs]-$1,007,944 Reinstating Teacher Assistants (Grades 4-51-$500,S00 On Reinstating Instructional Tech Facilitators-$927,000 r Restoring Counselor Conhact Wnths-$148,320 chapel HI C—bom CNSchod,I chccs,org THINK (AND ACT) Jonathon Scott said curriculums are becoming more subscription based now. He said that math and English adoption are two of the most expensive and the state only provides $350,000 for textbooks. He said during the 2016 legislative session, general assembly removed master's level pay to anyone new in the occupation. He said CHCCS is losing candidates to surrounding jurisdictions that have the master's level pay, so CHCCS would like to institute this to retain talented employees. He said they would also increase the supplement from 18% to 20% for the first 15 years of employment. He said this matches what other surrounding counties are doing. He said that to deal with decreasing fund balance they had to decrease force. He said that the last three items are reinstating some of those positions that were cut. 6 Slide#8 SUMMARYOF TOTAL FUNDING REQUEST BW44myuffft cot Saluies amdl s $1,604,240 &qui edMddagBend& 1,735,136 Laval Operating Fund Expenses 5 Years Analysis Nm-91lax7 Cgesartrq C83s 485,399 0 e-"P*' ■CaLkwian ■swrOPP-WjC-P.Vk� i7 S,000006 TAA BudgesCm on Costs $3,$24775 C1a-,iiedSupplemertPenerdngehia-eases 725000 ;1W.VWAW hismxt alRe=cesSwMmbiWFmd UX 00 M.m0000- R.ehwo,emerrtdMaste 5LevelPay 2,350,000 taa me nm Cecff1ed&Whmexv.Pffcexmge kmues L007,944 sm.vao aoa Re r6o,emerrt af lnpaded Fasibs 1,653,820 TAA Eq amam REm Requested $4,M6,46d y < r ".07Y AswMrr7024 AauMMN3+ Ea�.nrr p'^P4+�rr aoas xoxe TAA Cff"uahm and Fapwmm Neel $10,871,Si4 FAhded Revexwe aan&s uithe Spedal Datirt Dx (568,384) 1MalBudoPlapest Net of Rey mueChmges $10,303,1.55 THINK (AND ACT) Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she was impressed by the staff retention numbers that were shared earlier. She asked if there is a benchmark for the number of teachers, and if so, is it being met. Nyah Hamlett said they break out the EC Certified Staff numbers because this is a hard to staff position. She said that EC Certified Staff are 94.8% staffed. She said overall certified staffing is 99.2% staffed. She said exit surveys completed by staff have indicated that they are leaving to go to other districts with Master's pay. Commissioner McKee said he believes everything in the expansion budget would benefit the students and staff of the district but the amount it would cost would require a large tax increase for residents. He said he will have to be convinced that the expansion budget can be funded. Chair Bedford explained that it was requested at School Collaboration for the districts to include the expansion requests and the school boards are aware it is not likely they will be funded. Commissioner Greene said she was part of the School Collaboration discussion, and they wanted to see everything that the schools might need but it was also clear that this may not be funded. Commissioner Carter asked how inflation level spikes after the budget cycle might be addressed. Jonathon Scott said there are a few things available to help. He said this has happened numerous times in his tenure. He said first, they would rely on fund balance, but at this time the district's fund balance is low. He said the second option would be to make a request for additional funding from the county. He said lastly, the district would have to look inward and likely implement reductions. Commissioner Carter asked what happens if there is a surplus in the budget. Jonathon Scott said typically the school district would retain that surplus and likely use it to replenish fund balance. Commissioner McKee asked what the CHCCS current fund balance is. Jonathon Scott said there will not be an update until the audit report at the end of the fiscal year, but estimates it is somewhere around $40,000. 7 Slide#9 LU ILL Quesfions� LU i 4zi z 7 z ESt.18Qff;' FE 5TRATEGIC PLAN 2022-2027 6� -.ift b. Orange County Schools Danielle Jones said she works alongside the Board of Education to be stewards of the budget and funds they have. Rhonda Rath made the following presentation: Slide #1 Fiscal Year 2026 Local Operating Budget Request Mrs.Rhonda Rath,Chief Finance Officer Orange Dr.Danielle Jones,Superintendent County Schools Ap¢il z9,zo2s 8 Slide #2 District Highlights m ,F .� Oa .A X 77% m of dC5 Schools OCS Excels in Achievement and Earned C or Setter V5.57 Growth, Statewide Results Released 40 Statewide for 2023-2024 School Year o Ten out of 19 schools in Orange County SchooIs earned a school performance grade of C or higher for the 2029-2024 school year, and 12 out of 13 la schools met or exceeded growth targets, well of 005 sthaals above the state averages for bath achievement Mel or Exceeded +� GrGMh as.73% and growth. Statewide AMn9nn c'.� 4wq�Cp'q Sdwx ENGAGE, CHALLENGE. 1r45vFsr-- Slide #3 Budget Priorities • Recruit and retain a high quality +. workforce • Student proficiency and growth Allocate resources to hest meet the needs of students and staff r •4 -'4 + ENGAGE. CHALLENGE. INSPIRE. 9 Slide #4 Ingesting in the Future := FY 2026 Budget Request Summary Continuation Budget --� On-going Operations ~ 4 + 3% Estimated Salary Increase + Employer Required Benefit Increases 3% Inflationary Increase Expansion Budget Growing OCS r Increase Certified Staff Local Supplements + Increase Classified Staff Local Supplements a + Increase Bus Driver Hourly Rate of Pay rMGAIi€ CHALLENGE. '.. Rhonda Rath said the continuation budget request is increased by $1.8 million, $1.6 million of which would support salaries and associated benefits and $200,000 would support non- personnel-related costs. Slide #5 Local operating Continuation Budget FY26 ACTUAL DAY 40 ENROLLMENT 6,915 plus CHARTER SCHOOL Funded 1,125 {Iess o ut of distri ct cou nty estimate (215) F_ �4 TOTAL 5TUDENTBIWNGBASE 7,92-S Continuation Mon Personnel Increase 175,000 State Mandated Increases 1,W,000 �# Estimated tonenuatIon 5hortbM $ iRB1SAW Reflects: 3.0%Estimated State salary increase • 6.8%increase in employer-required contribution to TSERS retirement(from 24.04%to 25.68%) • 3.4%increase in employer required contribution to the State health insurance premium(from$8,095 to$8,373) 3.0%increase in non-personnel related operational costs(utilities,transportation,instructional materials,etc.) AM ENGAGE. CHALLENGE, INSP4RE. 10 Slide #6 Local Operating Expansion Budget Request FY2 C A. .,,.. Add itianal Continuation/Expansion Certified'reacher Supplement Increase 2,595r570 ClassiFed Supplement Increase for lowest band 37SPOO Bus Driver Hourly Increase to match CHCC5 30510UD Total Expansion Request 2,27S,370 Investment: • Increasing Certified Teacher Local Supplement to better align OCS with surrounding local education agencies , • Increasing Classified Local Supplementfor Tea cherAssistants, Custodians,Office Staff,M echanics,Technicians and Child Nutrition Workers ` • Increasing Bus Driver Hourly Rate to match CHCCS CHALLENGE. INSPIRE. Rhonda Rath said OCS is lagging significantly behind other districts across the state in its certified local supplements. She said right now, they are 12% for 0-5, 14% for-13 years, 16% for 13-20 years, and 18% for over 20 years. She said many other districts have a stronger supplement. She said that classified staff have the lowest scale and that is 7% and they would like to increase that to 9%. She said they have tried for several years to adjust those scales for the staff to be more competitive. She said that they have not been able to allocate the funding to correct the salary scales to be more competitive. She said OCS is struggling to retain bus drivers and compete with the pay for neighboring districts. She said matching the pay offered by CHCCS may benefit both districts by increasing the pool. She said that the total request is 4.1 million. Slide #7 Local operating Fund Balance 0 6,ua� s 5�0U,UOU Highlights: 4,930.000 • OCS continues to review line item spending to do morewith less and ° 4A00jM operate with a balanced budget • FY 2025 department budgets } sANAM reduced over$700 thousand to eliminate 1st quarter E SSE R cliff • Ongoing strategic spending } projected to yield modest increase infund balance atyear end r 4 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2M5 acwa —Wndam 11 Rhonda Rath said the OCS fund balance was $4.3 million at the end of FY 2023-24 and estimates there will be a modest increase in fund balance at the end of this fiscal year. Slide #8 01) CHALLENGE. Commissioner McKee reiterated that funding the expansion requests for either school district is unlikely, as it would require a large increase in the tax rate. Chair Bedford asked what types of cuts were made when the district cut $700,000. Rhonda Rath said professional development opportunities, travel reimbursements, and even some programs were cut that may not have been giving the expected return on investment. Chair Bedford said she recognizes that CHCCS has looked at classes that do not have enough interest. She said she did the math, and it looked like there was about a $229 per pupil increase in the OCS continuation budget. She said that CHCCS was $292 per pupil. She asked if she got the numbers correctly. Rhonda Rath said her numbers seem correct. Chair Bedford said it used to be a law that CHCCS had to formally request an increase to the special district tax. She asked if they needed to get that formal request. Jonathon Scott said the CHCCS school board took action to request the BOCC increase to the special district tax. He said they can formalize that if needed. He said they are asking for the Commissioners to amend the special tax as needed for the requested budget. Commissioner Fowler asked if it would be based at 2.5% if the School Board did not formally request the tax amendment. Travis Myren said the special district tax will automatically reset to the revenue neutral rate. Chair Bedford requested that staff calculate the per pupil increase to fully fund the continuation budgets for both school systems. Commissioner McKee asked what happens if there is no ability to fund the expansion budgets. George Griffin said the districts would continue with the services they currently offer but would not be able to offer anything additional. Commissioner McKee asked how much of a concern losing teachers is. He also noted that Orange County has a significant need for bus drivers, and this is how children get to school. Anne Purcell said it is a great concern for OCS right now because teachers that have left have self-reported they are going to other districts that offer higher pay. She said the issue is the same with bus drivers. Commissioner McKee said the districts perform higher than other districts across the state consistently and receive some of the highest funding per student in the state. He said he does 12 not want any of that to change. He said he is trying to reconcile how they can without increasing the taxes to a level that would force citizens out. Anne Purcell said she and other school board members hear from residents that feel they are taxed too high and those that have moved out of the county due to affordability. She said they are aware of this, but they felt they still had to ask. Commissioner McKee said his concern is that the impact will be felt on the lower wealth and minority populations disproportionately and he does not want to make this county harder to live in for those populations. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if all bus routes are covered or if there are absences caused by lack of drivers. Danielle Jones said people that are not technically drivers are driving and that is how they have kept the routes covered. Rani Dasi said she appreciates the conversation and the care for the community. She said that the converse impact of not funding the expansion budget would mean not increasing school counselors. She said that is a critical need in the schools. She said it is a hard choice to make, and they do not want to push community members out but also do not want to hurt students either. She said the state does not fund public schools the way they need to. Commissioner McKee said that given the last five years and all the changes that continue, he said the angst levels are higher than he ever remembers. Vickie FornviI le-Feaster said she appreciates sentiment of Commissioner McKee and said that she is an Orange County resident with family here for generations and while Commissioner McKee said that he does not want to turn the county into a place that only the wealthy and white can live, she said it has been that way. She said they are here to speak about what they can and cannot do for their students. She said that the achievement gaps need to be addressed and not having the staff needed to educate all the students is harmful. She said they need to have a broader conversation as two school boards and the Board of Commissioners as to what they can do to keep the schools healthy and to not tax residents out of the county. She said the minority population continues to decline. She said they need to find a way to get beyond where they are now and if they do not look at what they are doing and being intentional with the budgets, they will find themselves in a deeper hole down the line. Chair Bedford said next week the County Manager will present his recommended budget to the BOCC. She said they are trying to look at the full picture. Slide #9 Orange County Schools NORTH CAROLINA -NGAGE. CHALLENGE. INSPIRE. 13 2. Joint Presentation Federal Funding Impacts Jonathan Scott and Rhonda Rath made the following presentation: Slide #1 �PBORG Sustaining Success: Federal Investments x in Education in ° Orange County, NC Jonathan Scott, Chief Financial Officer Chapel Hill-Carrhoro City Schools Orange Rhonda Rath, County Chief Financial Officer Schools Orange County Schools MURlr1 CA XU.IMA Slide #2 The Power of Federal Investments in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools & Orange County Schools At Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools,we believe that every student deserves high-quality,individualized learning and support—regardless of background, need, or circumstance. Federal funding isfoundational to delivering on that belief.These recurring dollars help us provide critical benefits to students throughout Orange County—not as one-time boosts, but asiong-term commitments tostudent support and success: + Provide nutritious mealsto thousands of students + Support exceptional children and multilingual learners + Invest in retaining and developing professional educators + Advance our shared commitment to fairness and whole-child education �cAf sArg arangem u nig11ra Loch 14 Slide #3 The Power of Federal Investments in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Sr Orange County Schools "Federal investments are not just dollars—they are a reflection of ourvalues. They allover us to recruit strong educators, uplift underserved students, and build learning environments where every child in our communities can thrive." —Dr. Nyah Hamlett, Superintendent, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools —Dr. Danielle Jones, Superintendent, Orange County Schools Milahons.org orangewunlynralwin Slide #4 I What's at Risk for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools & Orange County Schools? If recurring federal funds are reduced, schools mayface: School Nutrition Services: o Fewer resources forfree/reduced meals and summer food programs o Increased local burden for maintaining child nutrition operations Instructional Support Programs: o Cuts to Title I may reduce readinglmath intervention and support for economically disadvantaged students o Reduced Title II funds could limit professional development and teacher support /) anon aorg n. orangaoauMy Mfl.eom Jonathon Scott explained some of the services that would be lost if Title I and II funds were cut. 15 Slide #5 ! What's at Risk for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools & Orange Counter Schools? If recurring federal funds are reduced, schools mayfacs: Special Education(IDEA): o Fewer funds for specialized staff, services, and materials for students with disabilities o Risk of noncompliance with mandated IDEA requirements Early Childhood Education: o Reduced funding for Head Start and Pre-K programs could limit access for at-risk children and families ] Career$Technical Education: o Fewer resources for program materials, certifications, and workforce-readiness opportunities � r CMLS.org orangewunynrsl,com Jonathon Scott said that Title I funds also help fund services for unhousAI e•d�students. Slide #6 ! What's at Risk for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Sr Orange Counter Schools? "-\ Bottom Line: Federal reductions would shift the financial burden to local and state funding sources and risk compromising fair access for students and staff to much-needed support. orang&zunynralL m �I Jonathon Scott said federal funds cover 5-6% of the districts' budgets. 16 Slide#7 Total Recurring Federal Funding (FY Ending June 30, 024*) • Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Total: $9.2 million • Orange County Schools Total: $6.6 million Nutrition $2.83M $2.51M Instruction&Support $2.20M $1.85M Special Education $2.$5M $2.04M Early Childhood $1.38M $0.23M "FY20 24 is the mast recent year with f ul H auditad feria ral f u rd i ng figu Dw. thr�s,org p orang&zvntVnrsi.cam Jonathon Scott and Rhonda Rath presented the information for their respective districts. Rhonda Rath said a lot of the teachers they are hiring are coming in on alternative pathways. She said that means they are not going through the traditional teacher-education programs. She said that the federal dollars they are using are for instructional interventionists that are assisting beginning teachers and students that may be behind and need additional support to achieve proficiency or growth. She said if these funds are taken away, they will have to look at the internal budget and will have to be in touch with the county. Slide #8 Thankou. Questions? ohon.org orangewunlyflrsi,com 17 Commissioner McKee asked if either district has been notified of federal cuts. He asked what the districts consider a probable loss vs. a possible loss. Rhonda Rath said OCS has lost a $30,000 grant that helped get local produce into the menu at the schools. She said they are already looking at how to mitigate that so there is no impact to menus or lunch prices. She said that a probable loss in Title I is 15-20% as well as 15- 20% in special education. Jonathon Scott said CHCCS has not received any notification of cuts. He said they have discussed reductions and for years there has been talk about eliminating Title I funding, so that would likely be where they would start. Vice Chair Hamilton thanked the districts for their presentations and for their proactive work anticipating possible cuts and making plans. She said that the county will also be facing similar budget cuts from federal dollars. She said those are hard and they will all need to be flexible and aware of how they will respond. She said that echoing Chair Bedford, it is a difficult position to be in as a county commissioner because they want to invest in the children and provide services for the most vulnerable in the community, but they are also aware that they can't just raise taxes to do that or bring in a big company that could bail them out. She said they are going to look at everything. She said there are forces at play larger than what the county can control. She said they need to focus on the basics by investing in people and the infrastructure that supports people. Chair Bedford asked if they would see what the county's potential federal cuts might be. Travis Myren said $20 million in federal funding flows through the county budget. He said that some does support positions directly. He said they also support housing choice vouchers that flow through the Housing Department to residents in the form of housing vouchers. Chair Bedford asked if the federal government cuts Medicaid would additional money be lost. Travis Myren said there is about $230 million in federal funding that provides direct benefits to residents of Orange County. Chair Bedford said to call senators every week and to keep speaking out at state and federal level. 3. Group Discussion and Collaboration Chair Bedford asked Commissioners and members of the Boards of Education to think about some topics for conversation and collaboration between the elected bodies that they are not normally able to have. She said their joint meeting in the spring is typically limited to budget discussions, but there is opportunity at the September joint meeting to dive deeper into other topics. Riza Jenkins asked when the budget public hearings will be held. Travis Myren said they will be held on May 13t" and May 29tn Laura Jensen said they will be held at Southern and Whitted, respectively. Chair Bedford said the deadline for budget amendments is noon on May 28th. She said the budget will be adopted on June 17t", but the decisions are made at the previous meeting when the Board approved the Intent to Adopt. She thanked the school districts for their presentations. The Board recessed the meeting for 10 minutes at 8:33 p.m to allow school board members to exit the meeting room. The Board reconvened at 8:43 p.m. 4. Board of Commissioners' Closed Session A motion was made by Vice-Chair Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to enter into Closed Session pursuant to G.S. § 143-318.11(a)(3) "To consult with an attorney employed 18 or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body". VOTE: UNANIMOUS A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to reconvene into regular session at 9:07 p.m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Adjournment A motion was made by Vice-Chair Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Jamezetta Bedford, Chair Recorded by Tara May, Deputy Clerk to the Board Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board