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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Friday, December 19, 2003 AT 12:00 noon IN THE Basement Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Luncheon Meeting with School Board BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - December 19, 2003 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards. Absent: Mr. Caravati and Mr. Schilling. Mr. Ron Hutchinson, S uperintendent of City Schools, said that the Schools are at a crucial crossroad for funding. Mr. Ed Gillespie, Director of Finance for the Schools, projected the following increases/decreases for FY 05, excluding salary increases: VRS increased from 9.4 4% to 13.69%, life increased 0.00% to 1.14% - $1,308,909; Increase in Composite Index - $768,654; Changes in Contracts - $340,205; Health Insurance Increase 15% - $296,724; Transfer to Tex Media Fund - $200,000; Reduce Sick Leave Payout Net of FICA - ($15, 027); Lapsed Salaries - ($18,341); Removed "Board Unallocated" Line Item - ($48,162); Removed pre - funding of Health Insurance - ($165,938), for a total deficit of $2,667.024. Mr. Lynch asked if the Schools are looking at a two to three year hit re: VRS, and Mr. Gillespie said that is possible. He said the Governor's proposed budget would improve things by $600,000. Mr. Gillespie reviewed the formula for the Composite Index. Mr. Lynch asked what the chances are of changing the Composite Index formul a to include poverty. He asked how we can publicize this issue to a larger audience. Mr. Cox asked how the School Board is going to approach their budget given the increased costs. Mr. Hutchinson said that the $600,000 could be gained from the Governo r's budget. He said he feels it is essential to give teachers a raise which would cost an additional $760,000 for a 2.5% increase. He said we do not want nor can we increase class size and do not want to cut classrooms programs. Given these, he said the re is a need to find $1 million to $1.5 million. Ms. Richards said she would like to know the policy choices the School Board is considering. Mr. Hutchinson said state standards have to be met and there will be some hard discussions for the community . He said the greatest percentage of the budget is for personnel. Mr. Cox said increasing teacher salaries is a given for him in order for the Schools to remain competitive. Ms. Richards said she anticipates backing the decisions of the School Board. She said she would not want to jeopardize services to at risk students. Mr. Lynch said he feels need has to be taken into account in the SOQ formula.