Minutes 04-25-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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15 Chair Dorosin referred to the increasing Free and Reduced Lunch program, noting some schools are above 50%. He said there is a program now that schools above a certain percentage can offer a free lunch to everyone, and asked if there is a school that has this practice in OCS. Dr. Todd Wirt said no, and the school with the highest percentage is 68-71% FRL. Rani Dasi referred to Commissioner Price's question about the discrepancy between the CHCCS BOE budget and the superintendent's budget, and said the superintendent line may be a previous edition of the budget. Chair Dorosin said he wanted to go around the circle and allow everyone to say something in the spirit of collaboration and community. Dr. Todd Wirt said it is always important to keep perspective. He said he has worked in four different schools systems, and many are less fortunate than those in Orange County. He said the schools here are allowed to express needs, and schools are very fortunate here. Pam Jones said she has the unique perspective of having sat on the County side, as well as the school side. She said she is proud of the BOCC and the schools, and said both are known statewide for their efforts. Tom Carr said the OCS BOE has done so much for their teachers. Donna Coffey echoed Pam Jones' comments, and said she appreciates the work of the BOCC in all areas, not just with the schools. Brenda Stephens said they are very fortunate to be in Orange County, and the Board of County Commissioners shows its commitment in the way it funds the schools. Matthew Roberts said OCS has the flexibility to expand their day camps to full days due to the funding provided by the BOCC. He said this provides a richer life for the children. Tony McKnight thanked the Board of County Commissioners for what it does for both school systems. Bonnie Hammersley said she serves the Board of County Commissioners, and the schools are the drivers that bring people to Orange County. She said she is honored to be the County Manager, and to work with the schools to do the very best for the students of Orange County. Commissioner Marcoplos said he is looking forward to learning the budget process, as a new Commissioner. He said he has witnessed these budget processes over the years, and many people look to the Board of County Commissioners to fix their needs. He said he hoped to be able to communicate to the public the importance of becoming politically involved, at the State and Federal level, to help fix these needs. Commissioner Jacobs said he hoped these comments can be replayed at the public budget hearings. He said there has always been a tradition to fund the schools to the best of the Board's ability. He said there is never enough money, and the BOCC is usually engaged in a defensive battle over education. Commissioner Rich said collaboration is critical, and she is thankful for the working relationships between all involved. Dr. Pamela Baldwin said there are two school systems serving every child to the best of their abilities. She said she is thankful to have been chosen to serve as superintendent, but she noted that she also chose CHCCS as a place that she wanted to serve. She said there is great support for public education in Orange County. Todd LoFrese said both schools systems are approaching graduation, which is an exciting time of year. He said Phoenix Academy graduation is on Monday, June 12th, at 6:00 p.m. He said this is a wonderful event and invited all to attend. Andrew Davidson said both districts had an increase in per pupil requests, and said the per pupil funding levels provided by the State between 2008-09 and 2015-16 have gone down by $262. He said the dialogue between the schools and the BOCC is ripe for conflict, and the