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15 <br /> single Board member, and a combined increase of $71,088 per year for all Board members <br /> together, including the higher rates for the two Board leadership positions. <br /> It is proposed that this become effective January 1, 2024, after the November 2023 Board of <br /> Education election, including the new Board's selection of Chair and Vice Chair for 2024. As it <br /> reflects an expense allowance, North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 115C-38 requires Board <br /> of County Commissioners' approval, consistent with the procedures described in NCGS 153A- <br /> 92, before it can go into effect. <br /> Under North Carolina General Statute 115C-38, and per the authority set in North Carolina <br /> General Statute 153A-92, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) sets the compensation of <br /> board of education members annually during the budget approval process: <br /> "The tax-levying authority for a local school administrative unit may, under the procedures of <br /> G.S. 153A-92, fix the compensation and expense allowances paid members of the board of <br /> education of that local school administrative unit. Funds for the per diem, subsistence, and <br /> mileage for all meetings of county and city boards of education shall be provided from the <br /> current expense fund budget of the particular county or city. The compensation and expense <br /> allowances of members of boards of education shall continue at the same levels as paid on <br /> July 1, 1975, until changed by or pursuant to local act or pursuant to this section." <br /> Based on this, the Manager recommends the Board of Commissioners consider the new monthly <br /> stipend rates of $1,118 per month for CHCCS Board members, $1,263 for the CHCCS Board <br /> Vice Chair and $1,409 for the CHCCS Board Chair. The annualized cost of this action would be <br /> $71,088. Funding for the remainder of FY 2023-24 could be provided through an increase in the <br /> County's current expense funding towards Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools by appropriating <br /> fund balance. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley reviewed the background information for the item. She explained that <br /> if new money is allocated to CHCCS for this increase, the General Fund Appropriation Policy for <br /> Local School Districts requires that Orange County Schools (OCS) also recieve a funding <br /> increase, resulting in a total allocation between both districts of $60,822 from the county's fund <br /> balance. She noted that the Orange County Schools Board of Education does not currently want <br /> to increase their board stipend rates. She said the last time there was an increase was February <br /> of 2022 when CHCCS requested a 2.5% wage increase for Board of Education members. She <br /> said the school district used its existing funds for this increase, so this did not result in a required <br /> funding increase to OCS, whose Board of Education also did not want to increase the board <br /> stipend rates at that time. <br /> Chair Bedford clarified that the $60,822 would double the next budget cycle since this <br /> calculation is only for half of a fiscal year. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said that is correct. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if CHCCS currently has the funds <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said the school board would have to provide the answer to that <br /> question. <br /> Commissioner Fowler asked what the compensation is for school boards in surrounding <br /> counties. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said she doesn't have that information. <br /> Commissioner McKee said if this request is approved and additional funding is allocated <br /> to OCS, the Board does not have any input on how that money is used. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said the Boards of Education determine how any money provided is <br /> spent. <br />