Minutes 09-29-2022 Joint Meeting with Schools

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34 Commissioner McKee said that is why he loves the way that the group did this process so far and that he feels that is the only way to go about it. Commissioner Hamilton said they would have to look outside the box, including going to the state legislature and asking for help. She said that it cannot be local funding only. She said that they want to solve it with all the resources they can get. Chair Will Atherton asked about consideration for schools that are historically significant. He suggested that the districts and the Board have discussion about that and to involve the community. Commissioner Hamilton said she wanted a consultant to bring back what they see, but the recommendations should be brought back to the community for their input. Chair Deon Temne agreed that a timeline would be very important. Carrie Doyle said she appreciated being part of the work group. She said they didn't get to weave in the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (SAPFO) updates yet but there is a need to bring that in because there is an urgency in how population is growing and the need that is creating for schools. She said this seems like a realistic and practical approach for both school districts. Jillian LaSerna said the conversation after receipt of the consultant's report is very important. She said it would be an important part of process, and they should examine the importance of historical preservation versus required renovations and updates to the schools. She said that might push the timeline out even further but it is important to have the discussions. Anne Purcell said that older buildings have character and that she would want to keep buildings if possible. She said it is important to keep the community involved because the buildings mean something to the community and many people have gone to school in them. She thanked the work group for their efforts and said this is an ongoing need that should be looked at to make sure it is maintained overtime. Michael Sharp said that a classroom teacher in a fully funded, fully supported environment can do wonders. He said they can support the kids and achieve tremendous growth. He said that he does not support a model that relies on outside help that does not involve the teacher. He said this model goes against what he does. He said that he hopes that the Commissioners will not discount a model that the school board brings to them because it has a lack of tutors, because there may be other models that work just as well. Commissioner McKee said he meant no disrespect to the teachers, but his son needed outside assistance due to his learning disability. He said that he hired outside tutors, but he does not think everyone has the ability to afford private tutors and he believes that all should have access to tutors and that should be supported by the taxpayers. Andre Richmond said he was happy to be at the meeting. He was especially interested in the school safety and school capital needs discussions. He said he looked forward to future collaboration. He said that he wants to work on a model that maintains safe and updated schools. Commissioner Greene said that she supports the direction that this conversation is going. Commissioner Fowler said that the county doesn't really know what the schools need until after the county's budget is set so it is not based on an actual need but an assumption. She said that amendments were submitted but those were not passed because it feels like a change. She said she suggests changing the process and that the schools could provide their budget earlier. Chair Price said the budget is based on many other departments they have to fund and the County Manager realizes what the needs of the schools are but those have to be balanced against all of them.