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• Potential increases in Countywide property tax rate for: o Tier I -funding to address mandatestobligatians {e.g. local match for State teacher pay & benefit increases} o Tier I I -funding (if any) to restore certain State education budget cuts o Tier I II -funding to address some portion of OCS staffing and programming constraints identified in Educational Excellence report (all or some of resulting per pupil increase for CHCCS could be offset by reductions to CHCCS district tax} SCHOOL FUNDING EQUITY 2005-06 CURRENT EXPENSE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK • Memoranda of understanding to establish mutual expectations of how Tier III funds would be used • If major needs might go unfunded, consider mechanisms outside of current expense appropriation, such as: o Contracts for nursing and social worker support o Contract with Durham Tech, schools for middle college program • As an alternative, NC Statutes permit school appropriations by purpose, function or project SCHOOL FUNDING EQUITY EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE REPORT Recommendations far Increasing OCS Resources Pre Kindergarten -12t"Grade 1. Increased Provision of Social Workers 2. Increased Resources for Exceptional Children {EC} Specialists in OCS 3. Improved Transportation for After-School Programs far OCS 4. District Resources for Grants and Data 5. Subject Area Specialists {Curriculum Alignment, Development, Implementation) 6. Increased Resources for Pre-School Services John Link said that in the short term, the memorandum of agreement that specifically talks about certain areas to focus on is a good start. Chair Carey made reference to Tier I I and asked if this assumes that the legislature is going to act before the County Commissioners have to act. He asked how to address Tier II if the legislature does not act. John Link said to make the best estimate and by mid-June we should know where the State is going. Commissioner Halkiatis asked if the County Commissioners could by statute set aside a certain amount of money, like a safety net and Jahn Link said yes. Commissioner Jacobs agreed and said that the money could be put in the general fund and then the Board could decide how it should be disbursed. This would allow more flexibility. Commissioner Halkiatis asked that this information be given to the school boards. He thinks this is as important as the 60140 issue. Chair Carey suggested scheduling another meeting to discuss this with the school boards, because the agenda next week is pretty full. Commissioner Gordon asked about the major advantages and disadvantages of pursuing Tier II and III. John Link said that, in the short term, they are able to address specific areas that the school boards deem necessary to address.