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20 <br /> 1 Dr. Todd Wirt said when there are two systems within one county; only one is identified <br /> 2 as having a transportation system. He said currently, Orange County has two transportation <br /> 3 facilities that are severely outdated and need improvements. He said a portion of the bond <br /> 4 funds were to go to address this, but due to Chapel Hill High costs, that need was greater than <br /> 5 the transportation system. He said this need is real, and could be for a future bond or CIP <br /> 6 project. <br /> 7 Commissioner Marcoplos said paid maternity and paternity leave would be a great <br /> 8 addition, and the kids would really benefit from this. He referred to the question of how to <br /> 9 measure equity training, and said for those who have gone through the training, there is no <br /> 10 doubt that will help as he has already noticed a difference. He said it looks like 36.25 positions <br /> 11 were dropped in recent years as part of cost savings measures. He asked if the impacts of, <br /> 12 and lessons from these decisions could be explained. <br /> 13 Dr. Todd Wirt said OCS learned how to be more efficient. He said there were also <br /> 14 some reductions in technology decisions, but the greatest challenges have been at the school <br /> 15 level. He said when class sizes go up, there are different challenges with differing needs of <br /> 16 students. He said OCS runs a lean central office operation, and made this decision to have a <br /> 17 lower impact on the schools, but it has stretched the central office staff quite thin. <br /> 18 Chair Rich asked if other counties give parental leave, and who is the County's <br /> 19 competition. <br /> 20 Jennifer Bennett said she is not aware of other systems that offer this at this time, but it <br /> 21 would be a great benefit to the staff. She said the main push for competition is from Durham, <br /> 22 who is fighting the same battles. <br /> 23 Rani Dasi said, from a financial perspective, this benefit is more for the support of staff; <br /> 24 coming back earlier has an impact on their lives, the schools, and the community. <br /> 25 Commissioner Dorosin said Orange County Schools is asking for a $273 per pupil <br /> 26 increase, and Chapel Hill is requesting $485 per pupil. He asked if OCS could provide an <br /> 27 update on its bond projects, as well as the former charter school property that OCS purchased. <br /> 28 Dr. Todd Wirt referred to the Meadowlands facility, and said the front building has been <br /> 29 through the full RFP process, and OCS will be working with Corley Redfoot on a one-stop <br /> 30 facility. He said it is hoped that staff can move into the front building by the fall. He said the <br /> 31 bottom level will house curriculum and instruction staff. He said the building is expected to be <br /> 32 well within the budget. <br /> 33 Dr. Todd Wirt said there is a proposal to move the Partnership Academy to the back <br /> 34 building to free up space to serve middle school students, and look at possible partnerships for <br /> 35 Boomerang and a day treatment center. <br /> 36 Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is a timeline for the second phase. <br /> 37 Dr. Todd Wirt said they hope to get into the front building this fall, and the back building <br /> 38 needs a significant parking increase. <br /> 39 Staff said a big bond project is the geothermal installation at Orange High School, and <br /> 40 the 450-foot deep ports have been insulated. She said insulation of the piping is being finished, <br /> 41 and old HVAC is being torn out. She said other projects include HVAC and mechanical <br /> 42 upgrades, as well as major roof projects. She said the Cedar Ridge expansion hopes to break <br /> 43 ground before July 1. <br /> 44 Commissioner Dorosin said the system's targeted recruitment for teachers of color is <br /> 45 encouraging, and asked if there a similar targeted recruitment in the Chapel Hill system. <br /> 46 Dr. Pam Baldwin said yes, and diversity has greatly increased. <br /> 47 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the Orange County Schools redistricting process, and <br /> 48 the timeline. He asked if this will have an impact on class sizes. <br /> 49 Dr. Todd Wirt said there have been several board retreats to determine priorities. He <br /> 50 said the main effort is to balance student achievement, and there is a public facing website that <br />