Minutes 04-29-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Price asked if OCS would also be looking at the same type of financial outlay as CHCCS. She asked if OCS would recommend deconstruction of an older school. Pam Jones said the study the board received did not recommend wholesale de- construction. She said the report looked at older schools and whether it was appropriate to take down some of the less compliant and serviceable wings. She said her board has not had an opportunity to discuss this report yet. She said a decision to deconstruct might be made later. Steve Halkiotis said the school boards have been wrestling with issues with these schools for years. He said the board is doing the right thing in catching up for 50 years of neglect. He thanked the Board of Commissioners for their help. Michelle Brownstein said the CHCCS board is working hard to make sure the information presented allows the Board of Commissioners to compare apples to apples. She said there is collaboration happening between the two districts in this process. She echoed that the Board of County Commissioners has consistently been supportive of education in Orange County. Commissioner porosin asked about the required process if a student in OCS wants to take a class or extracurricular activity that is only offered in CHCCS. Mike Kelly said the sharing of classes arrangement was proposed after the first collaboration meeting in the early 2000's. He said this option was offered, and only one student took advantage of this. He said this process is very challenging and requires students to transfer for half the day, which most of them do not like. Commissioner porosin asked if transportation is provided if a student wants to do this. Mike Kelly said he does not know if this was proposed or not. Commissioner porosin said transportation could be significant impediment. Steve Halkiotis said that a recent report showed that CHCCS students have come to OCS schools to take the IB program at Cedar Ridge High School, and these students have not been charged to attend this program. Chair Bedford said this charge was waived, and administration made these decisions. Mike Kelly said it was his understanding that OCS gets state and county allocations. Steve Halkiotis said the important thing is that the kids were warmly welcomed and received an education. Commissioner porosin said each of these districts has responsibilities to their students and they each do an outstanding job. He said the County Commissioners are the only Board that is charged with the responsibility of every student in the County. He respects the fact that the County has chosen a dual system, but he wants to be sure every opportunity is available to every student, regardless of their school assignment. Chair Jacobs asked if Commissioner porosin would like the school collaboration group to re-visit this issue. Commissioner porosin said yes. Chair Bedford said this type of issue has been discussed at the last two collaboration meetings. She said Middle College is one example of this, and transportation is an issue here. She said the hope is that there will be an extension of the Orange County branch. She said there have also been discussions about the possibility of a collaborative dual language school. Commissioner porosin said there are also online possibilities. Chair Bedford said they hope to pilot an online program for dual languages in August if the funding is available. She said this could be expanded for other classes. Chair Bedford said their policy is to allow AP classes to be taken online through NC Virtual if the class is not offered in the district. Commissioner Price asked about the minimum number of social workers needed.