Minutes - 20031111 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Commissioner Gordon said that her proposal is to make progress toward funding equity. She wanted to take into account what she heard at the public hearings and from the Orange County Schools, which would receive additional funding from her proposal. She proposes three steps toward funding equity as follows: STEPS TOWARD FUNDING EQUITY The commissioners should take the following steps to achieve funding equity between the two school districts. (The date to take the step is given in parentheses.) I. Decide to call an election to determine whether voters wish to implement a countywide supplemental tax (ad valorem taxi for education. Instruct staff to bring back a report in January 2004 concerning the recommended process for this vote. The process should include the elements listed below. (NavembertDecember 2003} A. After receiving the staff report, the commissioners will decide the maximum rate at which the tax can be levied. B. The vote on the tax will take place during the 2004 primary election {usually held on the first Tuesday in May). C. The proceeds of the tax will be used to "operate schools of a higher standard." D. Upon a favorable vote in May, the tax will take effect on July 1, 2004*. II. If the countywide supplemental tax is approved by the voters, the commissioners will include the following items in the county budget for FY 2004-2005.* (May/June 2004} A. Set the countywide supplemental tax rate as appropriate to address demonstrated unmet needs far the schools. It is recommended that the rate be set at 4 cents per $100 of valuation. This will increase funding to the Orange County Schools by approximately $1.5 million, which is about one-half of the amount that was not funded in the FY 2003-2004 budget. B. Adjust the city district tax rate downward to compensate for the increase in the countywide tax rate. This adjustment will be made so that the Chapel Hill- Carrboro Schools will not only be "held harmless" in the narrow sense, but also so that the total funding to the district will increase as appropriate to address demonstrated unmet needs. III. The commissioners will formulate funding guidelines and priorities for the countywide supplemental tax. For example, the tax could be used for funding equity, to promote collaboration, and for other purposes to allow the schools to operate at a higher standard. The commissioners will also define equity and identify their intentions concerning the total tax increase that will be necessary to achieve fundina eauity between the two school districts and the time period for that increase. (Spring 2004) STEPS TOWARD COLLABORATION I. The two schools districts, in partnership with the commissioners, will aaree to work with a facilitator to identify concrete steps for collaboration. They will agree on the funding, the facilitator, and other aspects of the collaboration study. (By February 2004}