Agenda - 11-06-2014 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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I Michelle Brownstein arrived at 7:22:47 p.m. 2 3 Tom Forcella said their entire instructional plan is based on instructional excellence. He 4 said this is rooted in the principle of a growth mindset, which believes that all students have the 5 ability to achieve at much higher levels, given proper instruction; classrooms that focus on 6 thinking and problem solving; teachers who plan effectively; a coordinated curriculum; and best 7 instructional practices. He said this is the charge of the long range plan. 8 Tom Forcella said there is a requirement that every school district in N.C. must create a 9 merit based pay plan for submission to the legislature by January 15th. He said this has been 10 altered so that districts can sign off and not submit a plan. He said there have been 11 conversations with staff about what can be done to make a difference, and why the current plan 12 is based on years of experience versus professional growth, collaboration and what is going on 13 in the classrooms. He said they are looking at a system that does not use merit based pay that 14 pits one teacher against another, but instead provides opportunities for staff for leadership and 15 career advancement. He said the goal is to create a system to sustain the good work that they 16 do. 17 Tom Forcella said the state's effort to create a merit based program is actually providing 18 an opportunity for the district to create a system that looks a lot better. He said the state has 19 said they will accept 7 -10 pilot programs, and the district hopes to submit and be one of those 20 professional growth plans. 21 22 Todd Lofrese expressed appreciation for the additional local support from the 23 Commissioners and the Orange County tax payers. He presented the following PowerPoint 24 budget slides: 25 26 Budget Highlights 27 Strong local support helped buffer continued state reductions 28 We no longer have positions on fund balance 29 Most teachers received a sizable raise (average -5.5 %) 30 All employees were provided the equivalent of a 3% increase 31 Funded signing bonuses for critical needs 32 33 Budget Lowlights 34 Continued state reductions in the areas of central office, transportation, at -risk, and 35 teacher assistants 36 Signing bonuses: State raise announced too late 37 Teacher turnover at 15.8 %, highest since 1998 38 Reductions needed to balance: 39 - Central Office (salaries, 1 PT position, contracted services) 40 - Delayed Guidance Program Review 41 - Part -Time Gifted Specialists (11 PT positions) 42 - Teacher Assistants (22 FT positions) 43 - Part -Time Custodians (15 PT positions) 44 45 State Funding Changes Since 2008 -09 46 Total appropriations up $60 Million 47 Salary and benefit costs up $1.3 Billion 48 Net impact: Classrooms reduced by over $1 Billion 49 Loss of teacher positions, teacher assistant positions, administrative positions, supplies, 50 and support