Alamance County boards announce deal: $2.7M for operations, $1.3M for SROs; one commissioner urges delay

The chair of the Alamance County Board of Education announced during a special called joint meeting that the board and the Alamance County commissioners "have reached an agreement with our board of commissioners without the need for mediation." The chair said the commissioners have agreed "to provide $2,700,000 in additional operating expenses as well as $1,300,000 for our Alamance County SROs."

The announcement followed a brief closed session called under state law to consult with the board's attorney. Board member Ingalls moved "that we go into closed session pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(3) to consult with the board's attorney in order to preserve the attorney–client privilege," and Miss Harvey seconded; the motion passed by voice vote, recorded as unanimous 6-0.

Commissioner Priola insisted on making a public comment after the bodies returned to open session and said he was "opposed to this agreement at this time," arguing the boards had not considered all factors going into the amount and that an employment cost index update due in about 10 days should inform final figures. Paisley and the chair said the two boards settled based on the numbers available and thanked members for working together.

The chair told the media an agreement document would be provided to the press and to the public; Paisley said the county commissioners did not intend to continue the discussion at that meeting. No formal vote approving the agreement was recorded in the transcript; the announcement described a negotiated settlement and a plan to share the agreement terms publicly.

Procedural actions at the meeting included the motion to enter closed session and routine motions to adjourn each body. The county commission and the school board both adjourned by unanimous voice votes. The chair said copies of the agreement will be made available to the press and the public and noted the boards appreciated the opportunity to work together. The county commissioners are scheduled to meet next on July 5, when further discussion was suggested.