Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
33 <br /> Slide #9 <br /> CHA�IfNGf <br /> Sarah Smylie highlighted the visual representation of declining kindergarten enrollment in <br /> the elementary data, showing the progression from 500 third graders to 464 second graders to <br /> 449 first graders to 423 kindergarteners. <br /> Vice-Chair Hamilton said it is important for this information to be shared to ensure accurate <br /> projections and funding decisions. She stressed the need to understand various factors causing <br /> these changes. She suggested that collaboration with planning departments to track building <br /> permits and understanding price points would help predict future enrollment. <br /> Chair Bedford emphasized that despite enrollment challenges, the facilities remain old <br /> and educationally inadequate, requiring new construction. <br /> Bonnie Hauser noted that enrollment declines weren't uniform across demographics. She <br /> noted that the White student population was declining while the Hispanic student population was <br /> increasing, with implications for operating budgets given different educational needs and costs. <br /> 4. Issues for Future Collaboration <br /> Will Atherton presented the challenge of the current one-nurse-per-school allocation <br /> model, which creates disparities between elementary schools with 400 students and high schools <br /> with 1,200 students. He suggested exploring alternative models that could better accommodate <br /> varying population sizes and specific school needs. He questioned whether new approaches were <br /> needed beyond individual school efforts for mental health needs. He proposed examining shared <br /> county resources or new funding allocations specifically targeting mental health support in <br /> schools, given the current challenging environment for students. He also mentioned that many <br /> prospective teachers are unable to afford living in Orange County, which is an issue for teacher <br /> recruitment and retention. He said this is compounded by surrounding districts offering higher <br /> salary supplements closer to where teachers can afford to live. He mentioned the need for safe <br /> routes to schools, specifically highlighting the dangerous conditions near Cedar Ridge High <br /> School. He said students from Cedar Ridge participated in a teaching pathway program at Grady <br /> Brown Elementary School, which involved students walking across the street to volunteer, read <br /> books, and spend time with elementary students. He said a safer pathway between the schools <br /> is needed to ensure the safety of students. On a related note, he shared that the district is <br /> participating in a new grant-funded initiative designed to spark interest in teaching careers among <br /> current students. He said the initiative aims to enhance Career and Technical Education (CTE) <br /> programs and early education opportunities, encouraging students to consider teaching as a <br /> career path. <br /> Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked about national absenteeism trends about and would <br /> like more information about that. <br />