Minutes 04-23-2019 Schools - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rani Dasi said, from a financial perspective, this benefit is more for the support of staff; coming back earlier has an impact on their lives, the schools, and the community. Commissioner Dorosin said Orange County Schools is asking for a $273 per pupil increase, and Chapel Hill is requesting $485 per pupil. He asked if OCS could provide an update on its bond projects, as well as the former charter school property that OCS purchased. Dr. Todd Wirt referred to the Meadowlands facility, and said the front building has been through the full RFP process, and OCS will be working with Corley Redfoot on a one-stop facility. He said it is hoped that staff can move into the front building by the fall. He said the bottom level will house curriculum and instruction staff. He said the building is expected to be well within the budget. Dr. Todd Wirt said there is a proposal to move the Partnership Academy to the back building to free up space to serve middle school students, and look at possible partnerships for Boomerang and a day treatment center. Commissioner Dorosin asked if there is a timeline for the second phase. Dr. Todd Wirt said they hope to get into the front building this fall, and the back building needs a significant parking increase. Staff said a big bond project is the geothermal installation at Orange High School, and the 450-foot deep ports have been insulated. She said insulation of the piping is being finished, and old HVAC is being torn out. She said other projects include HVAC and mechanical upgrades, as well as major roof projects. She said the Cedar Ridge expansion hopes to break ground before July 1. Commissioner Dorosin said the system's targeted recruitment for teachers of color is encouraging, and asked if there a similar targeted recruitment in the Chapel Hill system. Dr. Pam Baldwin said yes, and diversity has greatly increased. Commissioner Dorosin referred to the Orange County Schools redistricting process, and the timeline. He asked if this will have an impact on class sizes. Dr. Todd Wirt said there have been several board retreats to determine priorities. He said the main effort is to balance student achievement, and there is a public facing website that shows the timeline. He said there has been a very diverse parent-advisory council involved, which has been wonderful. He said there will be public forums around this topic, and the goal is for the board to approve a new student reassignment plan by this fall, but it must be approved by January 2020. He said the plan would be affective for the 2020-2021 school year. Will Atherton said he would like to get feedback from Board of County Commissioners regarding capital projects. He said at least one facility has escalated in the amount of repairs needed ($21 million), and SAPFO does not account for this. He said a new school costs about $26 million. He said SAPFO also does not account for Pre-K requirements. He said in the spirit of collaboration, he wants to make the BOCC aware of their concerns, and need guidance to try to figure out how to accommodate these goals. He wants it to be on everyone's radar, and does not want to spend money on a school that cannot be turned around. Bonnie Hammersley said that SAPFO does not address this issue, as it is only a tool for capacity. She said other school needs would have to go through the capital investment plan process. Will Atherton asked if this would also be true with the Pre-K issue. Bonnie Hammersley said that there is a committee working on a report for solutions, which is needed before an assessment can be done. She said the issue is that the pre-K is taking up space that is not accounted for in SAPFO, so the Board of County Commissioners will await the report that should address this. Commissioner Dorosin asked if SAPFO formula can be changed. Chair Broun said to wait for the committee report, and much background is needed as to what the schools are required to do. Commissioner Dorosin said he just wants to know the universe of options.