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and PTAs to gauge stakeholder opinion on merger. We propose that 2/3 of the SGCs <br />and PTAs should be in favor for the proposal of the proposed merger to proceed. And <br />today the Seawell Family Outreach Team endorsed the above concerns. Would all <br />those who agree with these concerns please stand? <br />Now I would like to speak to myself. I would like to point out that there is an informed <br />website at 4schools.us. And I would say, before today, it seemed clear to me that <br />Orange County's schools are not being appropriately funded and this needs to be <br />corrected. I have spoken with folks from Orange County who are friends of mine and I <br />have received mixed reviews. All are against the merger, some are in favor of a tax <br />increase, and some are not. Also, I repeatedly asked Mr. Carey to enumerate the <br />currently known alleged social injustices so that citizens can have meaningful discourse <br />on how best to address them. Mr. Carey has stated that merger is not the only solution <br />that our alternatives would perpetuate social injustices, but no evidence has been <br />provided to support this. At this point in time, there is severe lack of compelling <br />evidence to merge the school systems. The BOCC must seriously consider other <br />alternatives. <br />At this time, there was applause again. <br />Chair Brown: I know you want to really express yourselves, but I'm sure that you also <br />want to hear all the speakers, and we sure want to hear them all. So I'm going to ask <br />you again, please do not start or interrupt the speakers. I think that would be very nice. <br />I'm sure if your children were here and they were asked not to do that, they would. If <br />you would please follow the same form, I would appreciate it. Mr. Peters, did you leave <br />us the questions that your SGC had? I want to make sure that we have a copy of it. <br />Christopher McLaurin: Hi, my name is Christopher McLaurin, and I am the Chapel Hill <br />High School Student Body President. The Student Government of Chapel Hill High <br />School conducted a poll of all students on the topic of merger. In an attempt to make <br />this an educated poll, key issues and the effects of the proposed merger were shared <br />with all students. Of the 1,073 ballots that were returned to Student Government, 1,002 <br />students voted against the proposed merger, and 71 voted for it. I believe this is a clear <br />indication of how the students of Chapel Hill High School feel in response to this <br />proposal. On ballots, many students wrote that they felt left out of the merger process. <br />What has been done and what will be done to ensure that students are heard on this <br />important issue, an issue that affects students the most? The County Commissioner <br />initiated merger does not allow for sufficient input from people who would be affected by <br />it most. Because the merger affects not only students, but also parents, teachers, and <br />the people who live in Chapel Hill, why was the issue not brought up so that a <br />referendum was possible? Thank you. <br />Ursula Council: Hi, my name is Ursula Council, and I'm speaking as a parent. I didn't <br />have anything written down. Nothing was prepared, or what have you. But my main <br />concern, being a minority parent, I am worried about the merger taking place and with <br />the money that would stagnate and what have you, the effect that it is going to have on <br />