Minutes 04-24-2018 Schools - Laserfiche WebLink

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12 Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the $400,000 in the living wage bids accounts for the food service employees. Todd LoFrese said there is a $400,000 difference between the base bid and the living wage bid for the custodial cleaning services. He said data on the child nutrition employees is not included at this time, but it is estimated to be an additional $300,000. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if these numbers reflect a continuation of contract services, at a living wage, as opposed to bringing these positions in house. He asked if the BOCC could receive cost analysis for bringing these positions in house. Todd LoFrese said this information is in the evening’s packet for custodial staff. He said information for bringing child nutrition in house has not been calculated since 2010. Chair Dasi said these budgets are based on needs, not wants, and these are critical needs for the students. She said it is important to consider investment into the schools and question the tax increase, but to remember the overall value of quality education in Orange County. She said it is a draw for people to live here. She said the schools have brought forth specific needs with transparency; and this budget does not include even half of the existing needs. Commissioner Jacobs said the BOCC understands that the schools could be requesting much more than they are. He referred to the discussion at the state level about a school construction bond, and asked if this would cover renovation of existing schools, or would it only be for new schools. Todd LoFrese said, as currently written, it would cover renovation of existing schools. He said CHCSS would receive about $7 million. Commissioner Jacobs said this is an endless circle that has been considered for a long time, and there is the constant choice between maintaining facilities and operating funds. He said he would not want to set aside funds for capital, but rather for programs, especially if there is a possibility for a state bond. He said Orange County is way ahead of many other counties in the state, and he does not understand why discussions about the fund balance have been so heated in the past. He said there should be less talk about asking the public for more money, and rather looking at existing funds and how they can go further. Commissioner Price asked if the $253 increase includes the special district tax increase. Chair Dasi said this number is the total need, regardless of how the funding is procured. Mary Ann Wolf thanked everyone involved for their efforts on behalf of the schools. She said it is important to remember that the state does not make this job easy, and North Carolina is very low in teacher and principal pay. She said the local schools are striving for excellence in students, and CHCCS are just a couple of dollars above the national average of per pupil spending. She said it is hard to recruit excellent people, and keep them here. Chair Dorosin said he is still concerned about the living wage. He said paying the living wage is important, but it is not the same as bringing positions in house, as contract employees do not get benefits. He said the County has a commitment to take care of the people who work in the community. Chapel Hill High School Updates (aerial photos and renderings) Todd LoFrese said this is being done in phases: Phase one includes removing the mobile units during summer and building new addition in academic building. He said the final site plan includes new access road, new right turn lane for better traffic flow, new parking lot for students. He said it is important to separate drop off areas from student drivers. He reviewed the following PowerPoint slides: CHHS Key Dates