Minutes 02-12-2019 Schools - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 • Organizational effectiveness at all levels of the system Mary Ann Wolfe said as CHCCS makes decisions, it repeatedly returns to these 4 areas to ask if the decision supports the areas. Rani Dasi said CHCCS is aligning its budget to its strategic plan. She said Jennifer Bennett has come on staff as a new financial leader. She said CHCCS is reassessing its capital needs, and Chapel Hill High renovations are underway and on track. She said CHCCS is working on Town of Chapel Hill (TOCH) reimbursements for Chapel Hill High School. She said CHCCS is assessing the needs of current schools as well. Joal Broun said given the upcoming class size mandates, a rough estimate indicates the need for an additional 30 teachers at a cost of$2.2 million. She said it is hoped that the State will provide some funds to offset these costs. She said CHCCS is also looking at how this mandate will impact buildings, and 11 schools have pre-K, which is a factor. She said it is unclear if existing facilities can accommodate this mandate. Commissioner McKee referred to the Chapel Hill High (CHHS) project, and asked if this project is close to, or over budget. Patrick Adele said the CHHS project is currently on budget, and the CTE building is on reserves and is part of the project to be funded by the additional money that was set aside. Chair Rich asked if the number of charter students is known. James Barrett said 115 out of 12,200 total CHCCS students attend charter schools. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if these students are going to charter schools in Chatham County. James Barrett said the students go all over. Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is an update on school discipline and racial disparities. Superintendent Baldwin said CHCCS is working on this, and training staff on restorative justice practices. Superintendent Baldwin said CHCCS is also working on mental health training, and how to have relationships with students that may avoid incidents happening in the first place. She said CHCCS is planning ongoing conversations about the effectiveness of consequences. She said CHCCS is partnering with Engaging Schools on the student code of conduct, specifically listening to student voices about what is happening in the classrooms and hallways. She said most data reflects incidents occurring outside the classroom (hallways, buses, etc.), and looking at duty and supervision schedules. Amy Fowler said the discipline referrals for students of color did go down, but the amount of overall referrals also went down, so the disproportion remains. Commissioner Greene asked if there are other ways to measure improvement in equity, in addition to the disciplinary referral data. Superintendent Baldwin said through survey work, and not just one data point. She said there are many conversations with teachers/social workers/counselors and through family and community engagement. Amy Fowler said one in five adolescents will deal with mental health issues, and CHCCS is addressing this and the whole child. She said social-emotional skills at a young age indicate rates of success in adulthood, and are just as important as educational skills. She said mental health is a critical factor in all elements of education. Chair Stephens said the disciplinary data in OCS indicates that students of color are being sent out of the classroom less. She said the district continues work with restorative justice practices, and is also working with Engaging Schools. Superintendent Wirt said OCS has trained over 60% of certified staff in restorative practices, and have been working with engaging schools for almost a year. He said Engaging Schools has worked with school systems across the country, especially pertaining to student