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33 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPEC IAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Wednesday, March 13, 1996 AT 5:00 p.m. IN THE Basement Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Budget Work Session BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox (signed) BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - March 13, 1996 Council met in special session with the following members present: Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Toscano, Mr. Vandever. Absent: Rev. Edwards. SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET Mr. O'Connell stated that the City Schools will be getting an additional $137,260 in revenue from the state, plus some additional funding for technology, but the School Board has not yet discussed this, and some of the funds may need to go to targeted areas. Ms. Daugherty suggested that the additional funds be used to increase teachers' base pay. Mr. Vandever said that his preference would be to see as much of the $137,000 as possible fit into the current over-all city budget to the extent allowed so that it could be considered for all city-wide needs. Ms. Daugherty said she is not in favor of reducing the school budget, adding that the schools have been told that they will get 40% of the city's new revenues. Mr. Toscano suggested that in the future Council indicate that 40% of new revenue be set as a target amount for the schools rather than a frrm commitment. Ms. Slaughter suggested that the School Board be asked for their proposal for how the new money and any other new state funding expected would be used. Mr. Toscano asked Councilors if they want to signal an interest in areas to be funded by the School Board. Ms. Slaughter and Ms. Daugherty expressed interest in expansion of the four-year old program. Mr. Toscano said an issue in the long-term is how the four-year old program will be funded, and if there are other ways to serve the population, such as providing supplements to private day care. Mr. Toscano said he would also like to see how the School Board is evaluating the performance of the four-year old program. Mr. Toscano said he has some interest in funding a part-time grant writer for the schools if the salary could be funded out of grants and if the position could raise money for the schools. Ms. Slaughter noted that the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission generates salaries through grants and recommended that the schools discuss the issue with them. Mr. Vandever said, as a precautionary note, that grants can begin to drive an organization into areas not considered their primary mission.