Minutes 09-30-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Chair Halkiotis said historically the districts have been locked in with traditional schedules versus block schedules and the resulting transportation issues. He thinks that creative opportunities may be out there, and is worth setting up a group to explore these opportunities, especially with Orange County. He said there are some award winning courses in Orange County Schools, such as the agricultural program and the furniture making program that cannot be done online. Chair Halkiotis said there are students in Orange County from the Alamance Burlington schools system, and he has wished for a regional program to provide services. He said there has been discussion of this with the pre-k and exceptional children programs. Chair Halkiotis said this is a great opportunity to set up a group to examine this issue, and he thinks Durham Tech Orange County campus is an important piece to the solution. He suggested an expanded Middle College program. Chair Bedford said CHCCS currently sends 12 students to the Durham Middle College Campus, but transportation is a big issue. She said if there were facilities at the Orange County site, enrollment would increase in a positive way. Chair Jacobs said he is hearing that both school districts are willing to work with Durham Tech to come up with ideas. Chair Halkiotis said he would bring this back to the board for discussion, and he does not see why it would not be supported. Chair Jacobs said if this goes forward, a group could be populated by school board members, staff, Durham Tech representatives, and one or two Commissioners. Commissioner porosin said he would volunteer for this. Commissioner McKee said he is glad to see willingness to move forward with this. Chair Jacobs suggested that neighboring school boards might also be asked to participate in the future. Commissioner Price echoed what Penny Gluck said. She said there have been discussions about the success seen in Middle College and how this might be expanded to the Orange County campus. She said the numbers are increasing for students that graduate from Durham Tech and go on to a four year college. Chair Jacobs said this might be a more fruitful place to look to bring in other school districts. 4. Update on Livinq Waqe —Affirminq the Shared Goal Chair Jacobs said Orange County recently raised their living wage, and this was discussed at the school collaboration meeting. He said this is outlined on the back of attachment 2a, page 4. Interim Superintendent Del Burns said included in their May budget request by OCS was a business case addressing the rate of pay for identified employees to reach the living wage identified by Orange County government. He said the amount to fund this is $75,000, and this will be brought forward in the proposed budget. Tom Forcella said CHCCS had a study done on salaries for classified employees. Todd Lofrese said there have been several years with no increase for classified employees. He said this issue has been monitored, and in the past 15 years classified employees have averaged 1.8 percent annually from the state, which is not keeping up with inflation. He said this year all classified employees were provided with at least a 3 percent increase in pay. Todd Lofrese said the new classified employee study has just been completed and results are being analyzed. He said there is a placeholder in the salary budget to implement phase 1 of the adjustments, and then the balance will be discussed as part of the budget