Minutes - 19990603 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Jackson that two (2) more technology specialists will soon be lost to higher paying positions. Ms. Jackson contends that additional funding to increase the pay range of these positions would resolve this continuing problem. In an era of growing student and teacher accountability, she proposes that all County citizens should be accountable. Give the schools the funding and tools they need and their staff will get the job done. Ruta Stankus, President of the Chapel Hill PTA Council, stated that there are 14 PTAs in the district. She further stated that they do not mind paying the extra tax needed to fully fund the budget for the Chapel Hill/Carrboro City School Board of Education as presented. They need to be able to provide for the additional teachers needed for the influx of students. She also asked that the County Commissioners consider funding their expansion budget. She believes these needs are important. She asked that the County Commissioners consider all the needs of all the students in the County and encouraged the County Commissioners to fully fund the request of the School Board. While she appreciates the hard work that went into Manager Link's budget, she stated that additional funding is necessary to provide for additional teachers based on the continued influx of students. By not fully funding the expansion budget, these needs will not be addressed: ? Funds for students with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) ? Increases to minimum supplement offered to our beginning teachers, which are needed to attract and retain qualified staff; ? Removal of the cap on our supplement paid to our experienced teachers; ? Employment of computer and technology specialists to troubleshoot computer system problems, many of whom are being lured away by higher paying salaries in local industry Ms. Stankus believes these needs are critical to adequate school support in Orange County. Many of the additional funds will go to support students whose needs are greatest and who may not have the parents' support before the Board at this meeting. She thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak. Alison Weiner is here to update the County Commissioners on the activities of the Community Land Trust of Orange County. She reminded the Board of the public forum the Land Trust is hosting, to be held at the Carrboro Town Hall on June 10, 1999 at 5:30 p.m. On May 11, 1999, the Land Trust was officially incorporated, establishing Bylaws, and seating an initial Board of Directors. These items were accomplished through a lot of hard work and great support from government staff, including Tara Fikes. The Land Trust is contracting with the Orange Community Housing Corporation to handle all administrative tasks, as suggested by the County Manager and the Chapel Hill Town Manager. The first year will see efforts focused on a 14- unit townhouse development on Scarlett Drive in Chapel Hill, which is being developed by Orange Community Housing Corporation. Chapel Hill is donating the land to the Land Trust. This was chosen as the lead-off project because it was already underway and the Town of Chapel Hill was eager to make it both an affordable housing project and the first Land Trust project. Since the fall, the Land Trust has received an 18- month technical plan of assistance from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Land Trust will receive 23 days of technical assistance from HUD at no cost. Also received from HUD was $4,000.00, which allowed four (4) members to attend the National Land Trust Conference in April 1999. Tara Fikes was one of the attendees. One of HUD's strongest recommendations was to hire a part-time administrative staff person. As a result, HUD will provide a $10,000.00 matching grant, provided the Land Trust can match those funds with support from local governments in a 2-to-1 ratio. Orange Community Housing Corporation, on behalf of the Land Trust, has submitted a request of $18,000.00, which equates to $8,000.00 from Orange County, $8,000.00 from the Town of Chapel Hill, and $1,000.00 each from the Towns of Carrboro and Hillsborough. The Land Trust's requests have been included in the proposed budgets for Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The County Manager has not included the Land Trust's $8,000.00 request in his recommended budget. Although the first project will be in Chapel Hill, the Land Trust was established to serve all of Orange County and can play a crucial role in creating long-term, affordable housing. There have been good efforts to develop affordable housing; unfortunately, with regard to home ownership, housing does not remain affordable. The Land Trust applauds the County and the commitment of its citizens to quality education but asked the Board to consider the opportunity at hand in empowering the Land Trust to meet its founding principles of providing affordable housing and thereby enhancing the diversity of the County's population. The Land Trust's request for $8,000.00 will guarantee HUD's matching grant, allowing the Land Trust to hire needed administrative staff, and to begin its work for Orange County's citizens.