Minutes 09-29-2022 Joint Meeting with Schools

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27 radio systems, and soon they will have the ability to do an internal 411 system to send alerts to all 240 radios. She said that the radios also allow cross campus communication. She said they are working on specifications for bids to replace doors and lock systems in some of their older facilities. She said there is a new visitor check in system installed in all schools. She said a future need is additional fencing at Central Elementary School between the campus and the prison. She said another project is the sidewalk on Orange Grove Road and Grady Brown Road. She said that will require three additional school crossing guards and they intend to request additional funding for those. She explained that the role of the school nurse positions has greatly expanded. She said that the state recommended a school nurse for every 750 students back in 2014 but that mark was not achieved. She said that going by that metric they are short two nurses at the high school. She said an accuity model is used now which would give Orange County a need of 4-5 school nurses. Sarah Smylie expressed thanks to the Sheriff's Office for their partnership with Orange County Schools. Commissioner McKee asked if the schools have supplies for potential opioid overdoses. Dr. Felder said narcan is in every school. Deon Temne said they have to focus on situational awareness when reviewing their safety measures. He said that there are occasional security issues with parks and recreation and school hours. He said they have great relationships with the police chiefs in Carrboro and Chapel Hill. Dr. Hamlett said they continue to focus on mental health and their social emotional learning support. She said they do have vacancies that remain in that area. She said they are trying to be proactive to what the students are bringing into the school environment from their home environment. She said they have three school nurse vacancies. She said they struggle to retain the positions. She said they are trying to be creative and recruit qualified applicants. Al Ciarochi, Director of Operations for Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools, said they have amazingly stong relationship with Chief Atack and Chief Blue with Carrboro and Chapel Hill, respectively. He said that taking a combined approach, physical safety is a two-pronged process keeping students and patrons are safe. He said that their safety improvements include access to entrances and they are making sure there is consistency between schools. He said that staff physically walked all schools and did a safety assessment. He said they are making sure all radios work within schools. He said that they use standard language or plainspeak that is consistent each year. Chair Price said that the Board would meet on October 3 to discuss an ordinance regarding protesting at the schools. She invited the school board members to attend since the request is about their domain. 3. School Capital Needs Work Group Report— Chair Renee Price, BOCC a. General perceptions, consultant discussion Chair Price introduced the item and asked Commissioner Hamilton to present the report from the School Capital Needs Work Group. Commissioner Hamilton introduced the item and thanked the members of the School Capital Needs Work Group. She made the following presentation: