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RES- 2018 -006 DRAFT 2 <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />RESOLUTION REGARDING K -3 CLASS SIZE REDUCTION <br />IMPLEMENTATION <br />WHEREAS, pursuant to State Law 2017 -9, local school districts in 2018 -19 are required to set class <br />size averages in grades K -3 that equal the State classroom teacher funding ratios and will have to meet <br />more restrictive individual class size maximums across those grade levels; and <br />WHEREAS, an immediate reduction in the K -3 class size maximum will worsen an already very <br />difficult 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 -entry <br />teachers who do not have the pedagogy and classroom management training necessary; and <br />WHEREAS, equalizing the average and funded K -3 class size ratios will result in the loss of flexibility <br />to generate State funding for teaching positions in program enhancement courses like art, music, <br />physical education; and <br />WHEREAS, even when this funding is provided, there are still classroom space and staffing <br />challenges in implementing the new K -3 class size requirements which are outlined below; and <br />WHEREAS, the immediate reduction in individual class size maximums in grades K -3 would in turn <br />increase the number of physical classrooms required at these grade levels and both the Orange County <br />Schools and Chapel Hill - Carrboro City Schools would need to build new new classrooms and/or hire <br />additional teachers in future years; and <br />WHEREAS, Orange County does not have capital funding to build new classrooms or purchase <br />additional modular classrooms, with a new modular unit requiring approximately one year to bring <br />online; and <br />WHEREAS, Boards of County Commissioners and Local Boards of Education are already working <br />together to budget and plan for the 2018 -19 academic year and this issue requires immediate attention <br />by the North Carolina General Assembly; <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the members of the Orange County Board of <br />Commissioners, respectfully request that the North Carolina General Assembly fully fund small <br />classes, and slow down the implementation of the K -3 class size reductions outlined in State Law 2017- <br />9 through a multi -year phase -in that allows time for the legislature and school districts to address the <br />challenges delineated above; and <br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the North Carolina General Assembly approve House Bill 866: <br />Public School Building Bond Act of 2017, so that districts across North Carolina are better able to meet <br />their school facility needs associated with class size reduction and growth. <br />This the 6th day of February, 2018. <br />Mark Dorosin, Chair <br />Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />