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7 1 the need for new elementary schools. Also, there is a need for new middle schools and class 2 size reduction. 3 Chair Carey asked about the cost for the pre-K classes and the Spanish program. 4 Superintendent Randy Bridges said that the pre-K classes would require 6-7 teaching 5 positions, and the Spanish program would require a half-time position in each of the K-5 6 schools. Each of the positions, including benefits and local supplement, would total 7 approximately $47,000. 8 Superintendent Neil Pedersen summarized his memo to John Link. 9 1. Class size - The goal is to reduce class size in grade 3 from 26 to 23 10 students. This initiative would require four teachers and four assistants at an 11 approximate cost of $276,000. 12 2. Compensation of staff - The present compensation package for Chapel Hill- 13 Carrboro City Schools is currently not competitive. The school board hopes 14 to enhance compensation packages for teachers, classified staff and bus 15 drivers. 16 3. Technology - Some of these issues will be covered at budget time. 17 4. Limited English Proficiency Program - This initiative would require adding two 18 ESL teachers. 19 5. Minority Student Achievement - The school board is continuing its efforts in 20 this area. A new team has been pulled together to develop some goals and 21 strategies. 22 6. Middle School After-school Program/Communities in Schools - It is possible 23 that the funding for the Middle School After-school Program that comes from 24 the state might be disappearing. Also, the Director for Communities in 25 Schools is spending much of her time fund-raising for her salary and the 26 operation of the office. 27 7. Planning for new middle school - Smith Middle School will open in 2001. The 28 planning process for hiring a principal and other staff members will need to 29 begin soon. 30 8. Capital Budget - Site acquisition for future schools is important at this time. 31 Also, there is an immediate need to plan for a new elementary school. 32 33 In answer to a question from Chair Carey, Keith Cook said that the funding for the 34 Community in Schools program might end before the school year ends this year. 35 Commissioner Gordon made reference to the recommendation from the Chapel Hill- 36 Carrboro City School Board on reducing class size and asked the Orange County School Board 37 for information on what they propose to do to reduce class size. 38 Commissioner Brown asked both school systems to provide information on the after- 39 school programs, including the number of participants and costs involved. 40 41 2. Issues Identified by Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools 42 43 a. Acquisition of School Sites and Construction of New Schools 44 Neil Pedersen said that a new facilities master plan is being developed. 45 Roger Waldon made reference to the preliminary report, Attachment 2d, and said that 46 there are a number of projections of how many students are expected in the next ten years. 47 The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools will need at least one, possibly two, elementary schools 48 in the next ten years. In the next fifteen years there will be a need for a new middle school. 49 There is a summary on page 14 that says that for the next twenty years, the Chapel Hill- 50 Carrboro City School Board feels that five school sites will be needed. The school board feels 51 that it would be beneficial to identify future school sites. The school board hopes to have a 52 Master Facilities Plan in place by the end of June.