Agenda - 05-18-2006-1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Another major factor affecting the schools' requests is start up costs for new schools — Gravelly Hill Middle School opens for 2006 -07 in the Orange County Schools system and Carrboro High School is slated to open for 2007 -08 in the Chapel Hill- Carrboro City Schools system. Also impacting the school funding picture in important ways are anticipated changes in student membership for 2006 -07. The State Department of Public Instruction's certified membership projections (the County's statutorily established basis for allocating per pupil funding) include an increase of 338 students for CHCCS and a decrease of 22 students for OCS, compared to the March 2005 DPI certified student projections. Accompanying this agenda abstract are the requested budget documents submitted by the two boards of education, and various handouts related to school funding,. c. Additional Staff Resources During departmental budget discussions with the Manager in Spring 2006, a number of department heads identified the need for additional staff resources they feel are necessary to carry out certain Board initiatives or to ensure that service to Orange County citizens can be delivered at an acceptable level. Not all of these needs can be addressed in the 2006 -07 budget, and some will need to be considered for phasing in over a period of several years. Staff will provide a handout at this work session that will help guide discussion with the Board about additional staff resources that may be needed at the beginning of or during the course of FY 2006 -07, and potentially in future years. d. Employee Pay and Benefits The Manager's Recommended Budget will include proposed increases in both the in -range and cost of living components of employee salaries in recognition of the importance of maintaining a strong and competitive pay package as well as the significant impacts that energy costs and other inflationary factors are having on employees' purchasing power. The Manager and Personnel Director will review with the Board during this work session important pay and benefit considerations for the next fiscal year. FINANCIAL IMPACT: As outlined in accompanying or previously distributed reports or handouts, and during the Manager's and staffs presentations. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss issues related to the 2006 -07 budget and provide appropriate direction to the Manager and staff.