Minutes-04-27-2023-Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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25 Vice-Chair McKee said he spent some recent time with the Orange County Schools high school robotics team. He said it was impressive to see what they accomplished. He said that it is mind blowing to see what the students have built. He said they have competed in the world's competition. Will Atherton said one of the most impressive parts is the cooperation between competitive teams as they will share equipment to ensure that others can continue on in a competition. Vice-Chair McKee said there was a team out of Wake County there on Saturday. Commissioner Richards asked for more information on targeted students. Dr. Felder said they targeted students of color, students in low socioeconomic groups, students who were not taking more rigorous courses. She said that they have seen a 50% increase in the number of students taking more rigorous courses. Commissioner Richards asked if this increase was over one or two years because the numbers were impressive. Dr. Felder said this was over one year and they were in the second year now. Vice-Chair McKee asked if the combined allocation in the previous year was over $100,000,000. Bonnie Hammersley said that it was $93 million. Vice-Chair McKee said the total request for FY24 is over $21 million, which is a 20% increase over the total allocation from last year, and a .14 cent increase. Chair Bedford said that EdNC published a report card on children's mental health and that North Carolina got an F. She said it was a valid analysis. She said it is sad to know that just at the continuation budget the county is really going to have to stretch. She said it was difficult to realize that they are not going to be able to do the things they thought they could do a year and a half ago, as far as social and emotional learning. She asked what the districts were doing to address social and emotional learning needs. Will Atherton said teachers and staff are burdened as well, since they are on the front line every day. He said there was a referral program Joyce Hatcher said they are offering professional development, mindfulness session, reduced Sportsplex membership, group benefits, quarterly mental health newsletter. Dr. Hamlett said the funding received in the previous year helped tremendously. She said they were also able to have mental health specialists and social emotional learning specialists in the schools. She said they created a mental health position for elementary schools that are shared between schools. Will Atherton said they have Renaissance Wellness, in-person mindful social and emotional learning program, and one-on-one check ins for their students. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said during the height of the pandemic there were mental health days. She asked if there is anything prohibiting a wellness day each week. Commissioner Fowler said the state does. Will Atherton said it is a challenge to meet the hours required by the state at the same time as ensuring the students are getting everything they need. He said that when they are not in school, they still have to provide the services to the students that have the need. He said he thinks there would be challenges around it being a full day every week, but it could be discussed. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said it just seems like there is a lot going on. Will Atherton said she is right. Vice-Chair McKee said the number of children on free and reduced lunch was striking. He asked about the threshold for the determination. Will Atherton said it depends on the family size and Federal poverty levels. Vice-Chair McKee said there are major increases in students and the number of schools for Title I and that it is hard to take in that there are schools at 86% free and reduced lunch. He said that is eye opening.