Editor’s note: Ask Us is a weekly feature published online on Mondays. We’ll seek to answer your questions about items or trends in Rowan County. Have a question? Email it to askus@salisburypost.com.

By Samuel Motley
intern@salisburypost.com

A Salisbury Post reader asked for details, including compensation, of Rowan-Salisbury School System’s arrangement with Michael Miller, managing member of Numerix Solutions.

Notably, Miller is working with Rowan-Salisbury Schools on preparing consolidation and redistricting scenarios. Numerix, in describing the company’s services on its website, says, “Combining the latest GIS technologies with proven forecasting methods provides school districts with the right set of short- and long-range planning tools.”

According the contract’s “scope of services,” Miller is asked “to provide data-driven planning solutions for Rowan-Salisbury School System (RSS).”

The specific tasks of his work, according to the contract, include:

• Collect latest GIS data from Rowan County GIS and other sources
• Collect RSS electronic student data (2018-2019 school year) suitable for address-matching
• Update RSS geo-database containing student data, school information and county GIS. The database is the foundation of Numerix analysis — school membership trends, demographic trends, membership forecasting and the exploration of feasible grade configuration scenarios.
• Collect and compile N.C. Department of Public Instruction month one, average daily membership data for RSS
• Develop draft assignment scenarios for the 2019-20 school year and subsequent years as needed. Scenarios will accommodate multi-year assignment planning assumptions as directed by RSS staff.
• Meet with RSS staff and stakeholders to review assignment scenarios. Solicit feedback and revise scenarios as needed.

The contract between RSS and Numerix, signed by Assistant Superintendent W. Anthony Vann and Miller on Jan. 29, states Numerix will work for $125/hour, but that the total amount of his work will not to exceed $12,500.

Services provided by Miller will require an estimated 120 hours over three to four months and include four onsite visits, according to the contract.

The proposal went on to state that “project extensions may be negotiated as a necessary.”