Minutes 04-24-2018 Schools - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 review the high and low spots pertaining to connectivity. He said other systems are being researched, and the wheels are in motion. Commissioner Rich asked if OCS would please keep the County involved in, and updated on, this process. Steve Halkiotis said he spoke with the OCS Information Technology director, who estimated that 30-35% of students do not have access to the Internet on a regular basis, which is unacceptable in this day and age. He would like for all the boards to get an update from the Information Technology heads throughout all systems in the County on improving this situation. Commissioner Rich said that number seems higher than what she has heard, but all do need to work together. She said this does not need to wait until the next joint meeting. Commissioner Price said she has met with staff from Google, who wants to get in all the rural counties in North Carolina, not just Chapel Hill. She said it may be worth following up about this. Commissioner Price referred to the school repairs, and asked if the schools will be at least minimally safe upon the completion of the first phase. Pam Jones said OCS is prioritizing the money where it sees the greatest needs, and addressing safety issues quickly. She said other issues are longer term. She said the bond money should allow the security of all buildings to be addressed at the same time, and access control is the top priority. Commissioner Price said there are some schools where one can come and go with ease, due to open areas, and there are broken steps, which are dangerous. Pam Jones said things like broken steps should be able to be addressed with recurring capital and daily maintenance funds. Commissioner Marcoplos said he and Commissioner Jacobs went to a Cooperative Extension event last year, and learned about water catchment and reuse system at Stanford Middle High. He asked if Cedar Ridge would be a good candidate for a similar system, given the nearby catchment basin. Pam Jones said OCS has not discussed this for Cedar Ridge, but can look at the potential pond and irrigation use. Commissioner Burroughs referred to the issue of student reassignment, and reiterated the importance of looking at diversity. She said it seems to be a good time to look at this, and while it is never easy, it is still the right thing to do. Todd Wirt said last year the OCS BOE reviewed its policy around student reassignment. He said the BOE reviewed policies across the state and nation, from schools that regularly did reassignments, and are balancing diversity with efficiency and proximity. He said the BOE has done a lot of good work in preparation. Chair Dorosin said it would be great if OCS could share that with the BOCC. Brenda Stephens said she was a part of the student reassignment last time, and OCS always has diversity on the list, and it is a high priority. Chair Dorosin asked if there is update on the Eno River charter school property that OCS purchased. Todd Wirt said OCS will be taking it over at the end of the school year, and delayed the upfit of the building due to possibly needing to use the fund balance appropriation to balance the budget. He said when this building does move forward, OCS will upfit the first building to move central admin staff from Orange High School (OHS), in order to create one-stop shop for parents, which will include child nutrition, afterschool services, enrollment services, translation, etc. all in one building. He said this will also increase capacity at OHS. He said OCS is still in discussions with the BOE regarding the use for the second building, but know that some work is needed on the site as well as additional parking. Chair Dorosin asked if there is an anticipated timeline.