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14 <br /> without understanding what drives the gap, it will cause more stress for students and staff alike. <br /> She said county commissioners do not know enough, and must work in partnership with the <br /> schools. She said the Board needs to hear more from the schools to better understand the root <br /> of the achievement gap. She said there is a broad range of students in this community, and the <br /> Board needs to have a better idea before setting outlines that may not help and may actually <br /> harm. She said she supports providing the money for mental health and the Board should look <br /> back at the details of what the school asked for, and what was not provided for previously. She <br /> said the Board should ask the schools what needs they currently have, and be clear on who is <br /> responsible for what. She said she does not agree with current proposal. <br /> Commissioner Richards said the job of the school district should be geared toward all <br /> children achieving success at all times. She said she does not want to throw more money at a <br /> program to address closing the achievement gap, which is a hot buzz word these days. She <br /> said she does not believe either school district is working up to its mission, and wants to see <br /> better quality educational and outcome for all students. She said this money should go to social <br /> emotional health, and the ramifications of COVID-19, isolation, and stress. She said she <br /> understands the county should not micromanage, but she thinks what the schools asked for, <br /> but was unable to be funded, should dictate how the money is allocated. She said she would <br /> like to know the gaps in terms of the overall district request, and what was funded and what was <br /> not. She said she supports money going to mental health, social emotional learning (SEL), <br /> because there has never been enough support in this area. <br /> Commissioner Fowler said the surplus came about through austerity and online sales <br /> tax. She said the county was austere in what it provided to the schools, and she supports this <br /> money and thinks the schools should dictate where the emphasis and dollars go. She said she <br /> would like to know if the schools have already received other funds in this area, and may no <br /> longer need it. She said if funds are needed, she supports giving them to the schools. <br /> Chair Price said she is in favor of$1.5 million going to mental health and SEL, which <br /> were both highlighted as needed areas in the budget from the schools. She said if students are <br /> unable to learn because of some other reason, achievement scores will go down. She said she <br /> falls in the middle on whether or not the county should have some say in how the money is <br /> spent. She said what is outlined here can help with collaboration between schools and the <br /> county. She said she would like to see a spending plan with indicators contained within, prior to <br /> Board approval. She said the Board does have some degree of fiduciary responsibility, and <br /> wants everyone to work together for the best of the children. She said it helps the Board if <br /> progress is tracked with key indicators, so as to better budget in the future. She said the needs <br /> are likely endless. <br /> Commissioner McKee said none of his comments were meant to denigrate any <br /> individual or board. He said no one can say that the proficiency rates are acceptable, and these <br /> rates are his focus. He said he is happy to approve the proposal tonight, but he very much <br /> wants to address these issues in the future. He said it was not intent to change anything <br /> tonight, but he will not accept the proficiency levels, and will keep hounding the issue until <br /> students achieve a significant increase in proficiency rating overall. He said he refuses to see <br /> students matriculate out of schools without being proficient. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said she supports this amount, but this is a recurring expense for <br /> future years. She asked if actual enrollment will be used for this year. <br /> Travis Myren said he was going to use projected ADM, but would have to look at that in <br /> advance of the budget amendment coming back on the 14tn <br /> Commissioner Bedford said she became a school board member in 2003, and heard a <br /> lot about community mental health services being offered in schools out of state, and local <br /> schools hoping to do the same. She said over the years, some mental health services have <br /> been cobbled together through various measures, but there has never been anything <br />