Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
15 <br /> <br />Commissioner Burroughs said she likes hearing the passion about all these different 1 <br />topics, but reiterated that the school boards are elected by the citizens to make these decisions 2 <br />for the children and the staff. 3 <br />Chair Dasi asked if there could be clarity and scope given to the task from the BOCC, 4 <br />and she is hearing heartburn on what the schools have requested. She asked if the BOCC is 5 <br />offering more money to tackle some of the issues mentioned this evening, or would it be in lieu 6 <br />of the schools’ requests. She said it would be helpful to know how much effort should be put 7 <br />into this exercise. 8 <br />Chair Dorosin said it would not be in lieu of, and is rather an item in which the BOCC 9 <br />has interest, outside of the schools’ requests. He said the BOCC would like to know the cost 10 <br />breakdown. He said how everything gets prioritized is open for discussion, and all of these 11 <br />items are educational priorities because they are all reflected in the work of the schools. 12 <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said he would not see this as in lieu either, and the BOCC 13 <br />understands the real needs. He said he would like to see what it would take to address these 14 <br />items. 15 <br />Chair Dorosin said perhaps the BOCC could give some money, and the schools could 16 <br />give fund balance money. 17 <br />Margaret Samuels said the fund balance is for one-time needs, and the future of funding 18 <br />is unknown, and there may come a time again where cuts have to be prioritized. She said if the 19 <br />schools are given the money, they will spend it. She said CHCCS has provided a chart on 20 <br />custodial staff for two years, and while it may shift a little bit, the bottom line is more money, 21 <br />regardless of from where it comes. 22 <br />Chair Dorosin said he hates for everyone to act out of fear of something bad happening, 23 <br />as opposed to acting out of hope to achieve something positive. 24 <br />Commissioner Price said if new policies are going to be considered, it is important to 25 <br />look at all County departments that use contracted services. 26 <br />Chair Dorosin said he thinks this has been happening already. 27 <br />Chair Dasi said she is very concerned about any policy that would direct school board 28 <br />expenditures. 29 <br />Commissioner McKee echoed Chair Dasi’s concerns, and said it is not the role of the 30 <br />BOCC to control another elective body. 31 <br />Steve Halkiotis said they are all adults, and make choices freely. He said if he feels 32 <br />compelled to follow school board dictates, and not those of the BOCC, he will do so. 33 <br />Chair Dorosin said it is all interrelated, and decisions are being made together all the 34 <br />time, and policies are made by collaboration. He said he is respectful of the school boards, but 35 <br />he is going for synthesis. 36 <br />James Barrett said on behalf of Chapel Hill High School alumni, he is not shedding a 37 <br />tear over tearing down the old buildings. 38 <br />Chair Dasi thanked the BOCC for the conversation, noting that all are passionate, and 39 <br />may not always agree; but it is good conversation. 40 <br />Chair Dorosin echoed Chair Dasi’s comments, and said he appreciated the open 41 <br />conversation. He said it is very is helpful, and feels the process is improving all around. 42 <br />Commissioner Rich agreed, and said it is easier to look at budgets now as the two 43 <br />districts are working together so well. 44 <br /> 45 <br />3. Adjournment 46 <br />The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. 47 <br /> 48 <br /> 49 <br /> Mark Dorosin, Chair 50