Minutes - 06-12-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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John Link asked Superintendent Bridges to give two or three major areas of Pathways that are not funded. Superintendent Bridges said that with Pathways they moved teachers from other schools to that school. They need specialty teachers like physical education, music, art, etc. At this time, these teachers are shared between schools. They also need an associate principal. Commissioner Brown made reference to the comments about the County having money but not giving it to the schools. She stressed that there are other parts of County services that also need money. Susan Halkiotis said that on one of the final tally sheets from the Capital Needs Task Force it appeared that some money was being taken from the senior centers for the schools. She said that she does not want to have to compete with other agencies that also serve the children in this County. Funds are badly needed by everyone. Delores Simpson said that what they do not want to see is the progress they have made in the schools to be stopped ar go backwards. They have been able to continue with what they have. They also need many other things that they have not talked about. She asked that the County Commissioners look at their resources and with their creative, genius minds come up with something. Susan Halkiotis asked about leveling the funding for the school nurses and also establishing a contingency fund that would kick in when student projections are under predicted. In the event that a school system is under projected and ends up with 150 more students, it would help to have a financial adjustment period that would take into account the real numbers. Bob Bateman said that he was one who has spoken against the district tax. He speaks for the silent majority. He feels that there is money in this County somewhere. He is opposed to a district tax. He feels there are other avenues. He does want to participate on this task force. He suggested taking the 12.5 new positions, cutting them to 6.5, and giving the rest of the money to the schools. Chair Halkiotis said that the positions are the Manager's recommended positions and not the Board of County Commissioners'. These positions have not been approved yet. He also said that the money used for park acquisition has been designated and appropriated and is there specifically for acquisition of parkland. There has been a whole variety of funding sources. Commissioner Jacobs said that just like the schools the County has lots of needs. He said that the County Commissioners would not squander money that could be spent on schools. He made reference to the legislation and said that the Board does endorse the NCACC and supports increasing the homestead exemption. He asked if the Orange County School Board has approached their legislators about supporting other funding sources (i.e., impact tax, real estate transfer tax, sales tax increase, etc.). He asked if the school board was going to look at anything besides a school district tax as an additional funding source. Keith Caak said that they have submitted letters for alternative funding for schools. Commissioner Jacobs asked that the school board continue to look at other options for funding. He also asked about the associate principals at Pathways. Commissioner Jacobs asked how many Elementary Schools have ESL teachers and Superintendent Bridges said that they have shared positions. They need one position for each school. Commissioner Carey said that they have discussed some type of contingency fund to take care of the increase in enrollment. He asked, if there is an increase in enrollment, would the school system be able to keep the teachers that they think they may lose. Superintendent Bridges said that the state makes projections and then in October the mistakes are realized. This makes it difficult to find quality teachers in October and November when the extra teaching positions are allowed. Susan Halkiotis said that the safety net would work both ways. If there is under enrollment, the County would pay less money. Superintendent Bridges said that if the enrollment is under projected, DPI adjusts the following year. Commissioner Carey made reference to the budget public hearing and the comments from the parents on what they would like to see in the schools. There are a number of citizens in each system who are not going to agree with increasing the budget for schools. He said that the fact that people do not support something does not mean that it is not the right thing to do.