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2 the recommended Manager's Budget included 94% of the total Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools submitted budget request. He felt that in future years discussion regarding major initiatives for both school systems should begin much earlier in the fiscal year. The Board of County Commissioners would be alerted to potential fiscal impacts and this would allow for dialogue regarding the timing and the proportion of that impact. It would also give the County staff additional time for analysis of these requests. CHAPEL HILL CARRBORO CITY SCHOOLS: Chair Nick Didow distributed a packet of information from Superintendent Pedersen dated June 8, 1998. He indicated that overall they have had a very good year in their school system. They continue to see success in their proficiency ratings for both math and reading. He referred to the Gordon Black survey results which compiles comments from students regarding many aspects of their educational year. They also reported on other key stake holders including teachers, staff members and parents. He mentioned that they continue to see a rise in the grades that parents are giving the schools in their formal evaluations. Other indicators are also rising, including end-of-grade tests, and SAT scores. Their alternative school opened this year with 12 students and it has been very well received by parents and students. Finally, he mentioned that the Southern Village school is a model school which is getting inquiries from around the world. Both of their recent building projects came in under budget and they are moving ahead with the upgrading of older schools and converting some of those school's heating/cooling units to gas which will show a considerable savings in the coming years. They are also continuing to expand their a-mail system. The Fund Balance will .improve from 2.1 % in this fiscal year to 5.4% at the end of next year. They have accomplished this through a number of cost cutting measures, including bringing to an end the funding of the Outreach Program which had evolved into a large non-profit. The school system will fund only its Head Start Program. Finally, Child Nutrition Services will break even this year for the first time. He mentioned that they were particularly proud of the fact that over 90% of this year's graduates are enrolled in higher education for the coming year. He then asked the Superintendent to discuss the particulars of their proposed Budget. They are: 1) Fully implement proficiency standards by June 1999. 2) Focus on providing services for exceptional/autistic/gifted and 3) Complete the Elementary School at Southern Village 4) Complete East Chapel Hill High School 5) Continue to Support a Professional Work Place ESL students They have requested an increase of $3.2 million dollars and the County Manger has recommended only $2.5 million of that be approved. The Superintendent has recommended that $100,000 be set aside for contingency funds to cover any difference created by unanticipated charter school enrollments. That would still leave the school system with a shortfall of $600,000. He explained that their request for funds is being driven by instructional programs and services. They intend to decrease class size, open a new school, increase staff support in the counseling divisions, add reading teachers, enlarge the alternative school and offer more summer school programs. They have many critical needs which must be met, including adding additional nurses, serving the 504 who have Attention Deficient Disorder, Superintendent Pedersen indicated that they have identified five priorities for the year.