Minutes 09-28-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Commissioner Marcoplos said he would like to discuss a few additional items. Commissioner Rich said this could be done under Information Items. 2. Projected Impact of State Mandated Class Size Reductions Both School systems have provided information on the impact of House Bill 13 regarding mandated class size reductions. See supplemental page 3 in the Chapel Hill- Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) information, and supplemental Attachment 1 in the OCS information. Dr. Todd Wirt said he wants to keep the BOCC up to date on HB 13, and noted there is a one-page summary at the Commissioners' Places. He said OCS currently falls within the required class size averages for 2017-2018. He said he will soon have to submit a report to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), which will include numbers for every school, grade level, and class; teacher duties; the source of funds from which those teachers are paid; the number of students in classes; the number of program enhancement teachers (art, music, PE) and the source of the funds to pay for those teachers. He said all of this would have to be submitted with an affidavit. Dr. Todd Wirt said, based on current staff and enrollment numbers, OCS will need 5 additional teaching positions to meet the required average class size for 2018-2019. He said this number is based on the desire to keep the average teacher to class size ratio in grades 4- 8 at 1:25, and 1:32 in 9-12 grades. Dr. Wirt said the General Assembly (GA) made the commitment to revisit the idea of giving school systems a separate dollar amount for enhancement teachers in the future. He said historically schools have had some flexibility to be able to use state funding for enhancement teachers. He said the session does not begin until May 2018, which is in the heart of the OCS budget season. Dr. Todd Wirt said OCS has made some tough decisions already, and he feels confident in what is being presented to the BOCC tonight. He said there is some flexibility in the class size requirements in the dual language programs. He said a dual language program will begin at New Hope Elementary next year. He said the five additional teachers would not cause major facility implications at this time, but there is growth in both Mebane and Hillsborough. Commissioner Rich asked if teachers were increased, will space also need to be increased. Dr. Todd Wirt said space needs are still being evaluated at this point. Dr. Pamela Baldwin reviewed the following information: A capacity analysis shared last year has been updated with current numbers, and in accordance with the passage of House Bill 13. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools received a waiver from class size requirements until 2020 due to Project ADVANCE being part of a state teacher compensation pilot study. Unless the state makes revisions to the current law in 2018-19 the district's level of service will exceed the threshold for when a new elementary school is needed. The Lincoln Center project completion will create an additional 189 elementary school seats and will provide a buffer should class size levels remain unchanged at the conclusion of the pilot. 3. Cost Impact of Paying Living Wage for Service Contracts or Internalizing Positions Both School systems provided information on the cost impact of paying the Living Wage for service contracts or internalizing positions. Pam Jones reviewed the following information for OCS: