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Susan Johnston read a letter from Nancy Salmon requesting an increase for capital spending for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School System. A first step in that direction would be to abandon the policy of providing equal amounts of recurring capital to both school systems and institute a new policy of funding on an "as needed" basis. The current policy does not take into account that the needs of the two school systems are not identical. She also requested that the County Attorney research ways to use the district tax for capital spending. This is currently not an option. The impact fee is a good first step toward capital funding, however, it is not enough. She suggested pursuing the authority for a real estate transfer tax to meet the long-range capital needs of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro system. Ken Touw, Chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board, thanked John Link for his continued support for excellence in schools. He mentioned that the current budget request was an attempt to extend the impact of opening two new schools over a two year period. He mentioned that the municipalities, not the school boards, support the D.A.R.E. Program. He requested full funding for the schools. Debbie Walhen spoke in support of funding the entire school budget request. She thanked the Board of Commissioners for raising the Impact Fee for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School System. She asked that sliding scale impact fees, building design and construction standards, intergovernmental cooperation and the exploration of other sources of funding for schools continue to be pursued. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro School System is the fastest growing in the state and it is imperative that needed schools be built in a timely manner. She also spoke in support of more compensation for teachers and administrators. William Hutchins, President of the Public Information Network, spoke in support of funding this non-profit corporation. The Network is a computerized public information system which is developmentally on-line at the University. The system provides information on organizations which are supported with tax dollars. The funds that are currently being requested will be used to bring the Chapel Hill Public Library on-line. This network makes available, among many other items, information such as agendas and minutes from public meetings. Other examples of public information which could be provided are real estate for sale, places to eat, and musical instruments for sale. Barbara Dewey, Vice-President for Programs with the Chapel Hill- Carrboro Association of Educators and the librarian of Frank Porter Graham Elementary School commended John Link for this proposed budget. She asked that the school systems budget request be funded in its entirety and recommended that it be accomplished by increasing the suggested tax assessment from 1 cent to 1.5 cents. The need for additional schools exists now. Bob Kepner, a math teacher at Chapel Hill High School, requested that the school budget request be fully funded. In particular he felt that the differentiated pay for teachers and pay-for-performance for administrators needs to be returned to the budget.