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1 <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: February 6, 2018 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 8 -f <br />SUBJECT: Resolution Reaardina K -3 Class Size Reduction Implementation <br />DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners <br />ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Draft Resolution Donna Baker, 919 - 245 -2130 <br />PURPOSE: To consider adopting a Resolution Regarding K -3 Class Size Reduction <br />Implementation. <br />BACKGROUND: Pursuant to State Law 2017 -9, local school districts in 2018 -19 are required <br />to set class size averages in grades K -3 that equal the State classroom teacher funding ratios <br />and will have to meet more restrictive individual class size maximums across those grade levels. <br />An immediate reduction in the K -3 class size maximum will worsen an already very difficult <br />environment for local school systems in finding licensed and qualified teachers to fill <br />classrooms, most likely leading to more classrooms taught by long -term substitutes or lateral - <br />entry teachers who do not have the pedagogy and classroom management training necessary. <br />The Durham County Board of Commissioners previously adopted a resolution on this issue, and <br />staff referenced that resolution to develop the attached draft resolution. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the <br />resolution. Class size reduction, if implemented, will have yet to be determined impacts related <br />to school facilities and personnel needs. <br />SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated <br />with consideration of the resolution. Class size reduction, if implemented, may have yet to be <br />determined impacts related to social justice. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the <br />Chair to sign the resolution and direct the Clerk to the Board to send to the resolution to the <br />North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), Orange County's legislative <br />delegation, and the leadership of the North Carolina General Assembly. <br />