Minutes 02-25-2020 Schools - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 1. Update on State Budget CHCCS Chair Wolf said there is no state budget currently, and there were no teacher raises this year and the question remains as to how this will impact next year. She said the boards are doing their best to estimate as planning moves forward, especially in regards to state versus local funding. She said hospitalization and retirement will be going up 5.47%, regardless of a budget, and the board is trying to anticipate various scenarios. CHCCS Superintendent Pam Baldwin concurred. OCS Chair Atherton said OCS is in the same state as CHCCS, and is concerned about being able to show appreciation to the teachers and staff, without raises from the state. He said one possibility is a one-time payment from the County to help offset these problems, in particular the unfunded mandates. OCS Superintendent Felder concurred. CHCCS Chair Wolf said some districts (Charlotte Mecklenburg, for example) have been able to give raises without a state budget, and she said this is something to keep in mind. Amy Fowler said there has been some pressure from teachers. Commissioner Greene asked if the Board of County Commissioners provided the additional funds to Charlotte Mecklenburg. CHCCS Chair Wolf said she did not know, but the raise was around 3%. Commissioner Dorosin said the potential suggestion is that the County would fund salary increases that would otherwise be funded by the State. He said funding for local positions is typically based on funding for state positions, and asked if the schools are suggesting a raise for just the local positions, if there is no raise for the state positions. The schools answered no. Commissioner Dorosin asked if a proposed raise would be a one-time pay out. OCS Chair Atherton said the OCS board has not discussed specifics, but staff and teachers would appreciate any funding. He said he would rather give a one-time bonus if a sustained raise is not possible. CHCCS Chair Wolf said CHCCS teachers would prefer a sustained raise, but would appreciate anything. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the schools have a plan or some figures. CHCCS Chair Wolf said the CHCCS board has been working through some scenarios, and felt this would be part of the full budget process. She said staff can get the preliminary information to the BOCC. OCS Chair Atherton said OCS has looked at this, but is not fully into its budget process. Rhonda Rath said OCS staff will be bring this forward in the next budget proposal. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if there is a timeline. OCS Chair Atherton said the next OCS budget meeting in the fourth Monday of next month, and if the board is in consensus it can share this information. Superintendent Baldwin said CHCCS will have some figures and timelines to share within the next agenda item, but between March 6 and March 19 is the likely timeline. Commissioner Price asked if more information could be shared about the 5.47% increase previously mentioned. CHCCS Chair Wolf said that is required for hospitalization and retirement increases, which must be covered. Superintendent Baldwin said it applies for the next fiscal year, Commissioner Marcoplos asked if there is an approximate number for this increase. Superintendent Baldwin said it would affect the local part of the CHCCS budget, and exact figures can be provided to the BOCC. CHCCS Chair Wolf said it is about $300 per staff member.