Minutes 06-15-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Commissioner McKee said if the $1.7 million is allocated to capital, and the schools already have monies in the capital budget, does this not release the monies in the capital budget to be used for something else; or is capital spending being increased by $1.7 million. Pam Jones said it is an effort to supplant with the additional funds. She said OCS needs money for personnel salaries and for teacher assistants. Commissioner McKee asked if the Board does not tag these funds with a particular use, can the schools use the funds wherever needed. Pam Jones said yes. She said it would be helpful if the additional monies being discussed this evening were not allocated to the three previously mentioned categories, and the schools could reallocate the funds according to the need, with the understanding that these funds are a one time offer. Chair Dorosin said it was his understanding that there are extensive unfunded capital needs, and if the Board is saying to use the funds to address those needs, why will the schools not do so. He said he is hearing that these funds will be used for operating expenses with the understanding that the funds may not be available next year. Pam Jones said the budget that the Board has proposed will not fund the OCS continuation budget, and it is this budget that pays teachers, etc. She said OCS's first priority will be to fund that budget, and these additional funds would have to go towards those costs. Todd LoFrese, Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) Deputy Superintendent, said if additional funding is granted, the CHCCS Board would have to discuss how to proceed, including any impact from the state level decision-making. He said in meetings thus far, the CHCCS administration has recommended that any additional funds be used for deferred maintenance. Commissioner Burroughs clarified that this additional funding does not enable CHCCS to pay a living wage, reinstate Media Assistants, etc. Todd LoFrese said no, these additional funds would not enable the requested operating budget to be met. Chair Dorosin asked if continuation budget can be met, given the change in required salaries. Todd LoFrese said it is still unclear what the General Assembly will do, but CHCCS believes that the Manager's recommendation would meet their continuation expense needs. He said the living wage, restoration of assistants, etc., were in the CHCCS expansion budget. Commissioner Marcoplos asked Todd LoFrese if it is his assumption that the CHCCS Board would use any additional funds to pay for lingering repairs, etc. Todd LoFrese said that would be the Administration's recommendation to the CHCCS Board. Commissioner Marcoplos clarified that OCS needs are different than CHCCS. Pam Jones said the difference between the two districts is that OCS has not met its continuation budget, and any additional funds would need to go towards closing that gap. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if there is an update regarding the subcontractors receiving a living wage. Todd LoFrese said there is about a $400,000 difference between the base bid, and the submissions received for paying a living wage. He said the CHCCS Board has not discussed prioritization and what happens at the local and state level will determine the course that CHCCS takes. Commissioner Marcoplos said it sounds like a living wage may be possible, but it is uncertain at this time. Todd LoFrese said a living wage would be ongoing, and thus part of the operating budget.