Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
20 <br /> SLIDE #30 <br /> Public Hearing Follow-Up <br /> • American Rescue Plan Act Eligible Uses-Education <br /> 1. heaa h �dlx*I"dlkgarl"l mwugh w w 4*q dw Wy 10—kq>trrvlca, <br /> pmvi,g aetlitionel resovices b higitp dy me l Se W.a o ,ng etlucaM1anel <br /> ee like firturing or aft mo -r . pmgrems as wN ae esnxxes to aeemee social.oenal.ana menml neann naaea,and, <br /> 2. N-vinq hwhhy chllwwae mmanmrma Incluorq nrw ar.xp ne hlgh*W y <br /> cM1iticaie.Mme uisikng programs br families h young cWtl enJ enhanced <br /> servicee(orchid welfare-invalvad femiliesantl foeteryoWh <br /> OKAnIMORr <br /> Commissioner Hamilton referred to Slide #27, and said the federal funds will not go to <br /> everyone in the County, but just those in need. She said it would be interesting to have an <br /> estimate on the number who would receive the ARPA money, and see if it is closer to the per <br /> student amount. She said students are some of the most vulnerable members of the <br /> community. <br /> Travis Myren said students are also included in the total population, so there is some <br /> double counting, but the comparison was used for illustrative purposes. He said he can look <br /> into providing the information Commissioner Hamilton requested. <br /> Commissioner Fowler referred to slide #30, and asked if the County has talked to the <br /> school districts about how they might make use of these education allowances from ARPA. <br /> Travis Myren said the use of this money would be at the BOCC's discretion, because <br /> the schools are getting their own federal money. He said if the Board would like him to explore <br /> those ideas, he can do so. <br /> Commissioner Fowler verified that these are all one time funds so cannot be used to <br /> start universal pre-K, or anything which would require ongoing funding. <br /> Travis Myren said yes. <br /> Commissioner Bedford extended thanks to everyone in the schools systems who <br /> worked so hard during an unprecedented year. She said everyone had to constantly be <br /> flexible, following the science, and keep up with ever changing information. She said it was a <br /> huge effort and she is grateful. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said she was leaving the school board when project advance <br /> was about to be implemented. She said the General Assembly wanted to institute a merit pay <br /> system based on test scores. She said the CHCCS school board thought it was terrible, and it <br /> has been shown that merit pay does not improve outcomes for students. She said Project <br /> Advance was approved by DPI, and tied professional development to pay in lieu of supplements <br /> that most counties pay. She said the district decided to phase Project Advance out last year, <br /> and teachers have been reaching out in frustration. She urged educators to focus advocacy <br /> efforts at the school board level, as this is the closest group with responsibility to the voters. <br /> She said the General Assembly is not funding the schools, and is not keeping up with <br /> increasing enrollment and population. She said the BOCC is trying to balance the social safety <br /> net of feeding people, of which schools have been a big part, providing utility help, and keeping <br /> roofs over peoples' head. She said the schools are partnering with local agencies to cover <br /> needs, and the BOCC had to move $1 million out of health and dental fund and reserves into <br /> the County's fund balance. She said the County has a fund balance policy to remain at 16% of <br /> budgeted expenditures, because it does the borrowing for the schools and County and the <br /> percentage has to do with the County's bond rating, so it can continue getting money in the <br />