1996-09-13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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154 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COLrNCll, WILL BE HELD ON Friday, September 13, 1996 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 (signed) BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - September 13, 1996 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Richards, Ms. Slaughter. Absent: Mr. Cox and Mr. Toscano. Ms. Slaughter presented the school consolidation report which was prepared in the context of the potential of reversion to town status. Under reversion, the biggest impact would be on the schools. The study assumes that the County standards prevail, and a supplemental study between the City and Albemarle County should look at how a merger could be achieved. The current study recommends merger if quality is maximized. Ms. Slaughter said the objective of the present discussion should be to address major points of the study, with an eye to what remains to be analyzed. Ms. Slaughter said she would like the future study to include an itemization and analysis of all special programs under consolidation. A discussion was held about which school personnel were included in the per pupil ratios, and it was suggested by Ms. Richards that this issue be clarified in the next study. Ms. Daugherty said that parents are more interested in class size teachers have to deal with, and the town could consider enhancing County spending. Ms. Slaughter noted that the town could augment things such as afierschool programs. Responding to a question from Mr. Richards, Ms. Artletta Dimberg, Acting School Superintendent, said she did not think programs such as the Book Buddies program were included in the study. Ms. Richards said there could be a loss of some State funding that is based on concentrations of at-risk youth if consolidation occurred. Ms. Richards asked how assets would transfer and what would happen to school debt. Ms. Dimberg said the study did not include the large difference in funding for adult education. Mr. Cole Hendrix, School Board member, asked if Council is going to give the School Board direction regarding the future study, noting that otherwise another study will be of little benefit. Mr. Hendrix added that it will be necessary to determine what the funding is for various programs. Ms. Slaughter noted that there may be an opportunity to reinvest funds saved as a result of consolidation. Mr. Hendrix noted that the study will be done at a time when a segment of the community is calling for higher test scores in the schools. A question was raised about Whether real savings will be realized in a consolidated school system.