Orange County NC Website
Bob Jessup said the law says the voters approve whatever the question is, such as <br /> "bonds for schools". He said voters are told where the dollar figure comes from, but the control <br /> of how the money is borrowed comes back to the Commissioners. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said it should not be easy to deviate from proposed purposes that <br /> the voters approved. She said there would need to be a compelling reason to do this. <br /> Steve Halkiotis said he is puzzled. He said the packet tonight references past bonds <br /> with specific designations for the use of the money. He agreed with Commissioner Gordon. <br /> Bob Jessup said he is just informing them of their legal authority. He said the decision is <br /> still up to the Board. <br /> Chair Jacobs noted that there are 8 school board members and 5 Commissioners who <br /> have not gone through a bond, and he said this is a helpful discussion. He said what the voters <br /> vote on based on educational efforts is what the elected officials feel committed to doing. He <br /> said this is only deviated from for extenuating circumstances and changes should be well <br /> explained. <br /> Chair Brownstein said what the boards are working toward is unprecedented in terms of <br /> the level of detail and the campaign to educate the public. She said the focus is on the older <br /> schools now, versus building new buildings. <br /> Chair Jacobs said he does not feel that impact of Newtown can be underestimated in <br /> terms of looking at the older schools. He said that safety issues have forced school systems to <br /> look comprehensively at all of their facilities. <br /> Chair Jacobs noted that the Board of County Commissioners discussion on bonds will <br /> continue at a work session on October 8th <br /> 6. Update on Legislative Actions Affecting Funding for Public Education (NC <br /> Schools Boards Association and Others) <br /> Chair Jacobs said there is no presentation in their packets. He asked for an update on <br /> the effects of the legislature's actions. <br /> Chair Coffey said Superintendent Burns could share some preliminary information. <br /> OCS Interim Superintendent Burns said the final presentation of the adopted budget will <br /> occur at the October 14th Board of Education Meeting. He said the analysis at this point shows <br /> a positive impact on revenue due to the growth of Orange County Schools. He noted the <br /> projected change of 81 students, which allowed for an additional $400,000 in state revenue. He <br /> said this was a good thing, though there was still a reduction in state revenue. He said the net <br /> is over$100,000 less, even with the growth. <br /> He said there has been a net reduction in the federal allotment. He said the generosity <br /> of the Board made a big difference in mitigating the impact of the stimulus money that was lost. <br /> He said the Board has made hard decisions to reduce recurring funding, and this has made an <br /> impact. <br /> He said there will be a fund balance appropriation of$900,000 to balance the budget <br /> and there will be adjustments made in the state budget. <br /> He said there will not be a reduction in force for teachers, teacher's assistants (TA's), or <br /> programs. <br /> Chair Brownstein said the schools are very lucky to have such a supportive Board of <br /> County Commissioners. <br /> Superintendent Tom Forcella said CHCCS is in a position where things are still moving <br /> to the bottom of the barrel. He said the schools have been able to maintain the TA positions, <br /> but there are some difficult times ahead. <br /> Todd LoFrese said the discretionary reduction in the General Assembly (GA) was <br /> thought to be temporary; but this June the GA eliminated discretionary reduction and then <br /> reduced funding for teachers and TAs. He said CHCCS got less money from the state this year <br /> than last year. He said this is the last year that CHCCS has a fund balance left. <br />