Orange County NC Website
35 <br /> 1 how the money will be spent in order to maintain positions. She said if there is that much extra <br /> 2 fund balance the district can consider using it to maintain positions. She said she would like <br /> 3 CHCCS to explain that better because there is a crisis and the fund balance does need to be <br /> 4 spent down. <br /> 5 Dr. Hamlett said she would send the follow up email to the Commissioners. <br /> 6 Commissioner Dorosin referred to page 41 of the abstract, and asked if the 6-cent tax <br /> 7 increase is being requested in order to fully fund the request. He said the entire 6-cent increase <br /> 8 would be dedicated to education between the two school districts. <br /> 9 Jonathan Scott said the number seems correct. <br /> 10 Commissioner Dorosin said that is a large number. He said this is a tough year, and if <br /> 11 there is any way to use any CARES or fund balance more effectively spread out the costs for <br /> 12 non-recurring issues, he would encourage doing so. He said a tax increase of that amount is <br /> 13 not realistic for residents coming out of the pandemic. He clarified that a 4-cent increase is <br /> 14 needed for the continuation budget, and 6 cents for everything. He said if there is a way to use <br /> 15 any of the other funds to bridge through this tight period, it should be pursued. He said he <br /> 16 believes next year there will be a more positive economic situation, but this does not seem <br /> 17 practicable right now. <br /> 18 Commissioner Greene said she was interested in the Dean of Student position, and any <br /> 19 data showing its effectiveness in other areas. She asked if CHCCS would provide info on this in <br /> 20 a follow-up email. <br /> 21 Chair La Serna said Dr. Hamlett would send information in a follow up email. <br /> 22 Commissioner Hamilton asked if the follow up email could also include information about <br /> 23 current staffing that supports students in schools, such as social workers, assistant principals, <br /> 24 etc. <br /> 25 Rani Dasi asked if Commissioner Hamilton is looking for an organization chart or <br /> 26 numbers. <br /> 27 Commissioner Hamilton said she would like to see the staffing numbers at each level. <br /> 28 Joal Broun asked if Commissioner Hamilton would like to see the number of staff per <br /> 29 student. <br /> 30 Commissioner Hamilton asked the district to provide numbers that it thinks will be helpful <br /> 31 to make the case for the newly requested positions. <br /> 32 Commissioner Fowler asked if an old organizational chart versus the new one could be <br /> 33 provided. She said she wants to understand how there is a continually rising fund balance. <br /> 34 Chair La Serna said it would also be helpful to include national recommendations for <br /> 35 caseloads for counselors and school psychologists in the follow-up email to Commissioners <br /> 36 versus the reality at the schools currently. <br /> 37 Commissioner Greene said Commissioner Hamilton's question was a good add on. She <br /> 38 said for the Dean of Student position, she would like to understand the functionality and the <br /> 39 value it will bring to the staff and students, rather than the numbers. <br /> 40 Commissioner McKee said most of the positions added seem to be administrative, and <br /> 41 he is curious why more administrative positions are needed versus having tutors to help <br /> 42 students who are having difficulties. He said he hired a tutor to help his son when he was in <br /> 43 high school. He said the answer could be provided in the follow up email. <br /> 44 Dr. Hamlett said CHCCS can add clarification on the organization chart to show which <br /> 45 positions are administrative versus direct service to students. <br /> 46 Chair La Serna said the recommended Dean of Students should have high direct service <br /> 47 to student load, and staff can provide these details. <br /> 48 Dr. Hamlett said Dean of Students is at the high school level and would provide direct <br /> 49 service to students. She said the SRO taskforce is still working, and the Dean of Students <br /> 50 position would provide additional support if SROs are not continued in secondary schools. <br /> 51 <br />