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!Y~ ~ '.1 MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS JUNE 1, 1978 • The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Thursday, June 1, 1978, at 7:30 p.m., in the Superior Court Raom of the Court House in Hillsborough for the purpose of reviewing the proposed budget of the Orange County School System. Those present were Chairman Richard Whitted, Commissioner Norman Gustaveson, Jan Pinney, Norman Walker and Donald Willhoit. County School Board members present were Chairman Oscar Compton, Emma Sue Loftin, Rachel Stevens, James Rae Freeland, and Paul. McAllister. Others present were S. M. Gattis, County Manager, Neal Evans, Finance Director, Dr. R. Mike Simons, Superintendent of the County School System, Tom Richman, Finance Director for the system, Dan Lunsford, Director of instructions, Frank Pinn, Personnel Director and A. C. Crowder, Assistant Superintendent. Also present were other members of the school system's administrative staff and teachers. Chairman Whitted opened the meeting by recognizing Oscar Campton, Chairman of the Qrange County School Berard. Mr. Campton stated that the budget recommendations had come about through various levels beginning with the different school's advisory boards. These are needs which are seen by the Advisory Board, principals, Superintendent and Board members. Mr. Compton yielded to Dr. R. Mike Simmons, Superintendent of the County School System. Dr. Simmons stated to the Board that the budget was formulated on the premise that "our youngsters desire the best that we can provide for them", and the Board has attempted to compile a budget on that basis. In terms of priorities, Dr. Simmons stated the first priority for any expansiori~is additional teachers in grades 4 through 7. Recommendations shown in the budget are for additional teachers for grades 4 and 5 as the highest priority. Seven additional teaching positions and one aid is requested far grades ~ and 5. The main purpose for this a.dditian is to reduce .teacher-pupil ratio in these grades 4 and 5 and to eliminate combi- nation classes. The eight new teaching positions include one teacher for the in-schacl suspension program, which would mean one teacher at each of the secondary schools, and an existing teacher for the special program now going on at the Junion High School. Two aids will be needed for the in-school suspension program; however, 85 percent of these salaries would be through federal monies. • An additional item in this budget is an appropriation to accomodate cost increases due to inflation. Dr. Simmons spoke of the Capital Outlay special request which includes the expansion of the Orange High School Cafeteria at a cost of $100,000. This renovation includes a covered walkway from the expanded cafeterial area to the Agricultural Building. A second request is for a special reserve fund to be established to meet the costs of improvements in the school facilities made necessary by Section 504: The Handicapped Accessibility Regulations. The request is far $70,000 to be placed in the reserve account for each of the next five years. A third request is that a special reserve account be established to fund new facility site acquisitions purchased by the system. This request is far $20,000 to be placed in a reserve account for each of the next five years.