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ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS Superintendent Dan Lunsford highlighted the budget message as written in the budge Is document. He talked about the Basic Education Plan and the implications of it not bein funded this year. One aspect of this plan which places a negative impact on the Orange County System is that of funding assistant principals. Because of the formula Orange County will lose the funding for two assistant principals. These are included in the expansion request though in reality they are continuation of the present situation. The 6% salary increase is composed of 4% from the continuation budget and 2% from the expansion budget. Dr. Lunsford made direct reference to the Manager' s recommendation and stated that the recommendation will allow them to continue what they are doing, provide a 6% salary increase, and pick up on local funds with a deficit of approximately $7,000. He referred to the continuation budget, emphasizing that there would not be funds to cover the majority of the items in that budget. Options have been discussed, including the additional use of their fund balance. They have already put a $250,000 appropriation from fund balance into their request and the County staff has suggested that they could appropriate another $150,000. This could be done but it would be risky. Money has been included in the budget for additional support services, as well as, pay improvement for the classified staff and an increase in the supplement. He also talked about the impact the decision on the Career Ladder will have on the teaching staff. With reference to capital, they had requested $961,000 and the Manager has recommended $750,000. He does feel this $750,000 amount needs to be reexamined in the future. He stated the Orange County System has complied fully with all the regulations on asbestos. The estimated cost for removal of all identified asbestos material is $846,000. He suggested accomplishing this removal over a period of time concentrating on those facilities where renovations will occur. School Board Chair, Dr. Kay Singer, stated that the support positions requested in the budget are critical to the ongoing efforts of the system. They have been able to increase the supplements for the classified staff, however they need more money for the enhancements. Commissioner Marshall noted that when discussion was held two years ago on the supplemental pay for Chapel Hill-Carrboro teachers in relation to the Career Ladder, that both Gerry House and Sue Baker indicated that the whole issue of supplemental pay would have to be reviewed when the Career Ladder was approved statewide. Dr. Halkiotis stated that this year Orange County has reduced their dropout rate by one third. This will have a bearing on the projected enrollment. Discussion took place on the Kidscope program and their contractal arrangements with the school. They talked about mandates to identify those preschoolers who may have developmental or other problems. John Link stated that there will be $713,000 available this coming year for removal of asbestos. There being no further items to discuss, Chairman Carey adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be a public hearing on the budget which will be held on June 14, 1989 at 7:30 p.m. in Superior Courtroom. Moses Carey, Jr. , Chairman Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk