Minutes - 19990608 - Laserfiche WebLink

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L Questions from the Board of County Commissioners - Chapel Hill/Carrboro Commissioner Halkiotis asked John Link about the costs for opening new schools and why there is $700,000 of startup costs for one Elementary school and $918,000 for another Elementary school for two different systems in the same county. John Link said that the difference is centered on the priorities in each system and the class sizes. He said that County staff was not in a position to make any judgments on the policies of the individual school boards. Commissioner Halkiotis said that the County Commissioners have set up a task force to look at and recommend construction standards for Elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. The County Commissioners plan to put in place the concept of value engineering. He said that he has given up on the equity issue a long time ago. He supports Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools using their district tax. He feels that there are opportunities where equity can be considered in the opening of new schools and their associated costs. He asked that the startup costs be examined more closely. Commissioner Halkiotis asked Neil Pedersen how much square footage they expect each of their custodians to clean. Superintendent Neil Pedersen said that each custodian was expected to clean 20,000 square feet of floor space. Commissioner Halkiotis asked if they were moving to PC's in the schools. Superintendent Neil Pedersen said they are using Mac's in their offices and PC's in their classrooms. Commissioner Carey said that it would be interesting to look at the differences in each school's startup costs. Superintendent Neil Pedersen said that these are ongoing costs that are going to be with them for the operation of that school. A lot of the one-time costs have already been covered in last year's budget or in the CIP. He said that the issue was funding the personnel. The startup costs from Chapel Hill/Carrboro are different from Orange County because the resources between the two school systems differ as a result of the district tax. Commissioner Carey asked how the special education needs could be considered a mandate in one system and an expansion item in another system. Superintendent Neil Pedersen said that they are required by law to serve students who have exceptional needs. Commissioner Carey asked about the average number of square feet that the County maintenance staff is expected to maintain. Rod Visser said that custodians are cleaning about 21,000 square feet. In answer to a question from Commissioner Brown, Superintendent Neil Pedersen said 400 students are expected at Mary Scroggs Elementary School. He outlined the allotments allowed by the State for new schools. Commissioner Brown asked about the PREP academy and how many children would be in attendance. Superintendent Neil Pedersen said that it remains to be seen. He said that after the initial testing, they had approximately 50-60 non-proficient students per grade level in both reading and math. There was a re-testing, and that number has been reduced to approximately 35-40. The school system is trying to reduce this number to 25 students per grade level. He said that he hopes that this program would not be permanent. Commissioner Brown asked about the contingency fund for administrative salaries and if what the school board has requested this year is the second half of these increases. Superintendent Neil Pedersen said he did not remember it being part of the contingency fund, but it was in the budget. Commissioner Brown asked how the salary cap was established. Superintendent Neil Pedersen explained how they tried to increase pay at the lower range and limit those coming into the system to 10 years experience. The percentage for the lower range was increased from one percent to three or four percent. This has led to conflict between teachers. The cap was an effort to raise the minimum of the supplement schedule without coming to the Board for additional funding. Commissioner Jacobs thanked both School Boards for being advocates for the students. He asked about the contingency fund on page 2. 1, and asked what this was a contingency for.