Orange County NC Website
CHCCS Superintendent's Budget Request 2019-2020 <br /> State Funds Revenues <br /> The state of North Carolina is in the first year of the next biennium budget cycle. We have no <br /> concrete data at this time; however, we do anticipate continued work towards increasing teacher pay <br /> towards the state goal to be the top in the Southeast region over the next several years. Currently we <br /> have included a projected average increase is 5% (last year teacher average increase was 6.5%). The <br /> state also continues to have real shortfalls in funds available for retirement and hospitalization. We are <br /> using the projected rates based on recent history that reflect an increase to the employer's portion for <br /> hospitalization to increase by 4%to $6,354 ($250)per employee and the retirement rate to increase to <br /> 19.34%,which is also a 1.5% increase from 18.86%this year. These benefit increases will impact our <br /> purchasing power in our federal grant funds, child nutrition services, community schools and local <br /> funds. <br /> 93%of our State funds are used for personnel costs. The remainder is used for classroom supplies and <br /> materials,transportation and other supporting services. <br /> With state revenues being the primary support for staffing,the district will be paying close attention to <br /> any legislative changes that could impact our staffing and service delivery in order to compensate for <br /> potential loss of state fund revenue. Our school staffing is based on formulas to ensure fair and <br /> equitable distribution of staff and support across all our schools and we will be focused on the <br /> alignment of those staffing resources with our strategic plan and goals while providing some flexibility <br /> for schools to create the individual environments required that will best meet our students needs and <br /> help them achieve success. <br /> Local Funds Revenues—FY 2019-20 <br /> We continue to evaluate all aspects of district operations as we align resources to ensure we continue <br /> to provide the students we serve with the best possible instructional programming possible. As you <br /> are aware, the district offers a wide variety of opportunities for our students and parents from dual- <br /> language programming, fine arts opportunities, rigorous academic coursework aimed to challenge and <br /> engage all students. The funding requested will enable the district to continue its mission and <br /> investment in the future of our students. In addition our work in aligning our resources with our <br /> strategic plan will help solidify the investment of resources towards continued improvement of our <br /> equity efforts and instructional programs. <br /> This budget request reflects our needs and the funding we feel are necessary to continuing our existing <br /> instructional operations and success. We are fully committed to our partnership with Orange County <br /> Living Wage to create a more just and sustainable local economy. As a Living Wage Certified <br /> Employer, we are required to certify eligibility every two years. Our most recent certification is valid <br /> through January 4, 2020. The hourly rate in place at the year of certification applies for two <br /> consecutive years. Although the Orange County Living Wage annual living wage increase for re- <br /> certification in 2020 has not yet been determined; the living wage for 2019 is $14.25, or $12.75 with <br /> employer-provided health insurance. After a thoughtful analysis of our current wages and other <br /> employer compensation, we are confident that the proposed three-percent increase for classified and <br /> other staff contained in our continuation funding request will be adequate for our re-certification. <br /> In addition to the county appropriation, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Public Schools will receive <br /> approximately $882 thousand from several other sources such as Fines & Forfeitures, tax revenues <br /> (sales & ABC), indirect cost and miscellaneous. We are also proposing that the Board allocate $1.5 <br /> million of fund balance so as to decrease the balance currently maintained to be closer to the target <br /> requested by the county commissioners. It should be noted however that the use of those funds would <br /> leave the district with only 1 month operating cash should any emergencies arise. Given recent events <br />