Minutes 01-16-2024 - Business Meeting

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55 somehow under the control of the BOCC, or the state of NC, or both. This is simply not true. There are in fact funding differences in annual operating budgets (i.e., per pupil expenditures) between the districts, however, this is solely due to the CHCCS Special District Tax which has been in place since 1909. This tax is only paid by residents of the CHCCS district and is not a financial burden on other residents of Orange County. Thank you in advance for your consideration of options D, or, C2. And for more on why, I yield the floor to Vice Chair Riza Jenkins." Riza Jenkins, CHCCS Board Vice-Chair read the following Statement: "Thank you George, and good evening everyone. I'm Riza Jenkins, and I'm Vice Chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education. 1, too, am here to urge the Commissioners to strongly consider scenario "D", followed by C-2. I'm also here to publicly thank the Commissioners who accepted invitations, from our administration and our PTA leaders, to tour school facilities for a first-hand look at the needs in Chapel Hill-Carrboro, as we've been having this conversation for a very long time: • Thank you to Chair Bedford for her visits to Phillips Middle, Estes Hills Elementary and Ephesus Elementary back in March of 2022. • Thank you to Commissioner Hamilton for her visits to Carrboro, Glenwood and Seawell elementary schools in March of 2022. • Thank you to Commissioner Portie-Ascott for her visits to Culbreth Middle and Carrboro Elementary back on May 4 of 2023. And then again for visits to Phoenix Academy High School and McDougle Middle on November 20. • Commissioner Green, we were delighted to host you back on October 5 for a visit to Ephesus Elementary. • Same for Commissioner Richards, who visited Carrboro Elementary on October 29. Together we saw first-hand the aging facilities that make up a substantial portion of our district. Those facilities, which have existed for generations, are loved and cared for ... but no amount of maintenance and upkeep will outpace the speed of innovation in public education. The Board of County Commissioners made it clear to us two years ago that we were to use the allotted funds now, and not bank them for any type of new construction or major renovation project down the road. Indeed, CHCCS has been spending our capital deferred maintenance dollars as expected and directed. We have used the funds for roof replacements, HVAC replacements, playground replacements, safety upgrades and more. We have done that in good faith and have been excellent stewards of public funds. We understand you want to develop a preferred plan of finance by the end of this month. We would appreciate and be available to participate in greater detail at any time, including possibly your scheduled retreat on January 19, or any subsequent meetings. We've reached a pivotal moment. Let's be honest about the 21 st century needs of our school district. Together, we'll make our students, families and stakeholders proud." CHCCS Board member, Rani Dasi, said she is not only a board member but also a parent of 4 students who have attended CHCCS schools. She spoke about the experiences of her children in school facilities. She said there is now a clear picture of the needs and plans to address them. She said they have had flooding issues, unreliable heating and cooling, and failing sewage systems that backed up. She said that delayed investment in school facilities continues to create significantly more needs. She said she knows the board cares deeply about education and she thanked them. Commissioner Fowler asked if multiple options can be given on a bond resolution. Travis Myren said it is a yes or no question for a bond. Chair Bedford said looking at C-2, it could be $75 million for the county and the difference is .57 cents. Travis Myren said that would line up with the scenario that Commissioner Hamilton mentioned.