Minutes 04-25-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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school program. Schools include their Pre-K programs in their efforts to evaluate what works and to continuously improve outcomes for children. Commissioner Pelissier said she thinks this isn't an opinion issue but is about what works best. She said there needs to be information put forth to thoroughly discuss this issue. Commissioner Dorosin said he is specifically addressing the older schools, where this is an issue for the schools. Commissioner Pelissier said, even with the older schools, the basis for decisions should be based on information about what really works best in Pre-K. Commissioner Gordon said the main point is that Pre-k education is valuable. Chair Jacobs said on June 12 at 10am there will be another school collaboration meeting and this will be addressed further at that time. . VOTE: UNANIMOUS—Board of County Commissioners Commissioner Pelissier said it would be helpful to run some scenarios to see how this issue affects debt capacity. Commissioner McKee said there was no discussion on the "therefore be it resolved" paragraphs and he feels the Board of County Commissioners needs to address this sooner rather than later. 3. Overview and Analysis of Education Funding Provided to the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools and Orange County School Districts in Relationship to the 48.1% Funding Target Clarence Grier reviewed the history of the 48.1% Funding Target, as listed in the abstract. He said that in 1999-2000 the Board of Commissioners and both school districts got together to decide on consistent funding options. He reviewed the funding information as listed in attachment a. He said that in half of the years since the funding target was implemented, the schools have been funded above the funding target and the other half fell below the target. He said the property tax rate increases in 2000 and 2008 have also been used to fund the school districts at 48.1%. He noted that the General Fund Budget has gradually decreased since 2008. He reviewed the inclusions in operational funding and the numbers on attachment B. Clarence Grier reviewed attachment C and noted that even though there may be enough debt capacity to add a school, the debt service has an effect on the operational funding. Clarence Grier said when looking at educational funding by source, it can be noted that ,back in 2000, the state was the largest funder of education. Moving forward to look at 2013, the county portion equates to about $15-16m for school funding. He said that as state funding has decreased the county's portion has increased. CHCCS Board Member Mike Kelly asked Clarence Grier to add the school boards budget to the numbers. Clarence Grier noted that enrollment has increased by 23% since 2000. OCS Board Member Debbie Piscitelli asked if new facilities coming online could negatively affect the 48.1% figure for the opposite school system. Clarence Grier said yes, it could and said this goes both ways. Frank Clifton said he sees a reliance on the 48.1% funding by both school systems growing and he said that school debt impacts operation. He said that the debt comes on one