RES-2018-006 Resolution regarding K-3 class size reduction implementation

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RES-2018-006 1 1"V1S1 -,'D ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION REG'ARDI'NG K-3 CLASS S�IZE R. DUCTION IMPLEMENTATION WUIEREAS, pursuant to State Law 2017-9, local school districts in 2018-19 are required to set class size averages in grades K-3 that equal the State classroom teacher Funding ratios and will have to meet more restrictive indivi&,ql Class size nraximunis across, those grade levels; and WHE'REAS" all ininiediate reduction in the 1 -3 class size rnaximuni will worsen an already very difficult environment for local school systems in finding licensed and qualified teachers to fill classroonis, rnost likely leading to ni,ore classrooms i 'aught by long-term substitutes or lateral-entry tc=hers who dtr riot have the pedagogy and classroom managernent training necessary; and WHEREAS, equalizing the average and funded 1 . -3 Class size l7atiOS WHI result in tile IOSS 01' flexibility to generate State frinding flor teaching positions in pr -ograln enliancen-lent COLU'SeS like art,. MLISiC, physical education; and, WtIEREAS, even wheri this fuliding as provided, there are still classrooni space and staffing challenges in i1niplerneliting tile new K-3 class size requirements which are outlined [)clow; and WHEREAS, the ininiediate reduction in individual class size nixximurns in grades K-3 would in turn increase the I'lUmber of physical ClaSSI-00ffls reqUired at these grade [evels, and both the Oratrge County Schools and ChaPel Hill-Can-born City SC11001S WOUld need to build new new classrooms and/or hi•c additional teachers in ffiture years; and WHEREAS, Orange Counly does not have capital funding to build new classrooms or purchase additional modUlZU classroorns, with a new modular unit requiring approxirnately one year to bring online; and WHERE'AS, Boards Of County Conimissioners and Local Boards of Education are already working together to bUdgct and plan for the 2018-19 acaden-lic year and this issue requires immediate attention by the North Carolina C ienerzd Assembly; NOW, THEREFORE, BE 11" RES()LVED that we, the Metilbers of" the Orange Coui'My Board of Comrnissioners, respectfully request that the North Carolina General Asselubly fully fund small classes, and slow down the imPlernentation of the 1 -3 class size reductions outlined in State Law 20�17- 9 through a niulti-year phase -in that allows time f,()r tile legislature and school districts to address the challenges delineated above or fully repeal the class size reductions in its entirety; and BE I'T FURTHER RESOLVED that [lie North Carolina (jeneral Assenibly approve House Bill 866: Public School Building Bond Act of 20,1 7, so that districts across North arolina are better able to meet their school flacility needs associated with class size reduction and grow h T his the 6t" day of'Febrl.IW)y, 20,1 8, Mar k )(.)r(,)sii Orange County Board of (ornmissioners