Agenda - 09-23-2002 - 4 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Af6aikme.A4 Ala.—�. Orange County September 13,2002 Board of Education Mr.Hank H.Hurd,Associate State Superintendent Department of public Instruction 301 N.Wilmington Street Raleigh,NC 27601-2825 Dr. Michael F.Williams Dear Mr.Hurd, Interim Superintendent On August 30,1 received a communication from the office of Governor Mike Easley regarding his executive order to release over$29 million"to fund enrollment growth in North Carolina's public schools". In addition,I am aware of an earlier executive order Board Members: issued by the Governor releasing funds for additional teachers to reduce class size in grades Dana Thompson,Chan K and 1. Delores Simpson,Vice Chan Robert Bateman To date,we have in membership 175 students in excess of the projections upon which we Keith Cook P p J p0 Susan 1Ialkiotis received our state allotments for this school year. We have a major problem with class sizes, David Kolbinsky especially in the middle and high school classes. In addition,we do not meet the state Brenda Stephens standards for class sizes in grades K and 1. However,before we begin the process of employing additional personnel to reduce class size in grades K and 1,and resolve class size problems in the middle and high schools,I need more specific information regarding the Governor's orders,especially in light of the current situation regarding the state budget. 200 East King Street First,what will the Governor's most recent executive order provide Orange County Schools Hillsborough, 9- 27278 2-81 in terms of additional teacher positions;i.e.,positions above and beyond the most recent Telephone: 919-732-8126 P Po Y FAX: 919-732-8120 Planning allotments that we have received,in light of our additional 175 students? Second,what additional funding(in addition to additional teaching positions)will Orange NTM County Schools receive as a result of the Governor's most recent executive order? Third,what is the current status of the"discretionary budget reductions"that have appeared in many of the budget proposals we have seen this spring and summer,and is there a connection between these reductions and the Governor's two executive orders? I realize that you are dealing with a complex and constantly changing situation. However, any guidance you can give me will be most valuable since we need to act now to deal with our class size problems. I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible. �Sincerely, Michael F.Williams Interim Superintendent Ipmc cc: Ms.Sandra Tinsley,Director of Finance Dr.Raymond Cooke,Associate Superintendent,Human Resource Services Dr.Kathy Osborne,Associate Superintendent,Curriculum and Instruction , AvIr.John Link,Manager,Orange County OraW County Schools "Providing educational opponunities far successful funeret."