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approved. She felt that there needed to be additional discussions about this issue between the school <br />board and the commissioners. She wanted it understood that she felt this was acceptable for a model <br />school but there needs to be frank discussion about how it would be supported on a wider basis. <br />Potential Impact Of Class Size Reductions On Schools' Capacity <br />School Board Member Goldstein presented a report on this item. He mentioned that there is a <br />great deal of support for the goal of class size reduction among parents and teachers. He also felt <br />that the School Board would support this as a goal. The Report on Feasibility of Reducing Class Size <br />is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's office. The committee which created this report felt that <br />smaller class size would enhance student learning and lessen teacher burnout. In the past, there has <br />been little progress toward reducing class size because it has appeared to be cost prohibitive. He <br />mentioned a study which was conducted in Tennessee showing that classes must be reduced to <br />approximately 15 students in order to cause noticeable improvements in student achievement. The <br />study also indicated that teachers must change their teaching styles in order to engage students. <br />They also found that more individualized learning plans were necessary. If these class reduction <br />measures were actually implemented, a new elementary school would be necessary in the year 2005. <br />The Meadowmont Development site needs to be developed before the Statute of Limitations expires <br />on the site. These projections assume that the State projections are relatively accurate. Those <br />projects were low by approximately 100 students for this school year. If they did not pursue the lower <br />class sizes and the State projections were accurate, they would not need to build a new school in <br />2005. <br />County Manager Link asked if the reduction in class size goal would be linked to the results of the <br />model school. School Board Member Goldstein indicated that they would not make that <br />recommendation based on the results of the model school. It would be made based on the <br />professional judgement of staff and of the School Board that lower class sizes would represent a <br />justifiable academic investment. The decision to adopt the reduction of class size goal would be <br />made well before the model school has been evaluated. <br />Mr. Didow commented that the school board would communicate with the Board of County <br />Commissioners if projections and/or actual enrollments changed dramatically, or if the State lowers <br />the class size standard. He mentioned that Governor Hunt currently is considering approving a <br />statewide reduction in class size. The School Board has not adopted the reduction of class size as a <br />goal at this time. They are simply sharing information about a potential goal for the future. <br />FINANCIAL ISSUES <br />Superintendent Pedersen presented a report updating the following initiatives and projects: <br />Report on Charter School Enrollments and Budgetary Impacts <br />Superintendent Pedersen discussed the current budgetary impact of the charter schools. His <br />comments were based on a report from Grace Holton regarding Charter School Enrollments. That <br />report is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's office. He mentioned that they do not receive <br />information from any of the charter schools. In fact, they have received only one of the original <br />proposals for review. In that proposal, they identified several major risk factors, which, in fact, are the <br />very problems that school has faced this year. <br />County Manager Link suggested that the County and the School Boards join together and <br />contact our local delegation and ask them to address what should happen to the funds allocated to a <br />Charter School if it closes its doors midyear. There was consensus on this suggestion. <br />Report on 20th Day Enrollment compared to protections <br />The report on these actual enrollment figures vs. the projections was presented and <br />discussed. The 40 day enrollment figures are up by 137 students in the elementary classes. One <br />issue of concern is that these students could very well turn out to be permanent residents and remain <br />in the school system through high school. If this increase over projections continue each year, they <br />would need to revise the projected need for additional facilities. <br />Identification of Issues With Potential Future Budgetary Impacts (including Programs <br />Identified in the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Strategic Plan <br />A report on the anticipated major budget issues for 1999-2000 was presented by