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were creating a new school system, we wouldn't divide the County, it wouldn't be fair. However, we're not creating a new system. I've heard that already today, and I'll try to be as brief as I can on this because I know we're trying to leave. I'm only aware of some of the history, however, I do know that there are few residents in the various parts of Orange County that were not fully aware of the perceived qualities of the different school districts in the County and the taxes that supported the school districts when they made their choice of their place of residence. Many current residents of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School district chose to live there, at least in part because of the school system. Almost all of the residents of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district made this choice knowing their taxes would be higher, and by making this choice they've indicated their willingness to pay these taxes. Residents who chose to live in the Orange County school district made choices based on lifestyle issues, perhaps also relating to school district, or the issue of lower taxes. I lived in the Orange County school district for many years. I chose to live where I did at the time in order to take advantage of a more relaxed and outdoor lifestyle. Because some people have made these choices, at least in part, because of their willingness to pay taxes to support schools, I am concerned that the merging of the two school systems will create a problem that is inherently unfair. On the one hand, the people of the Chapel Hill- Carrboro school district have always been willing to pay taxes to support their school system, and they may not obtain sufficient support for their schools because of the resistance of other County residents in a merged school district to pay higher taxes. On the other hand, residents who have chosen to the live in the Orange County school district because of the lower taxes may be forced to pay higher taxes. Clearly, the history of the school districts makes consideration of a fair merger much more difficult. I thought about this for a long time and I heard the solution from somebody else, but I want to say it again. One solution that I see is that the County Board of Commissioners should not consider Chapel Hill-Carrboro funding when considering Orange County funding. If this requires over funding the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district, then Chapel Hill-Carrboro has the option of reducing their taxes, or you have the option of reducing their taxes, apparently. So it seems to me that if you separate them, you've got a solution to the problem. Art Beldon: Thank you for staying a little later. My name is Art Beldon; I have two kids in the Chapel Hill school system. Michael is 14, he goes to Philips and Leah is 11 and she attends Rashkis. I'm very encouraged about tonight, about the debate that we've all been a part of, and to listen to all of the eloquent speakers talking about the issues. However, I don't think Chapel Hill or Carrboro is ready for this kind of change. We just went through a redistricting; our kids have just adjusted to that. Merging, I don't think that's the solution, but I don't know for sure. But I do know that if this is imposed on Chapel Hill-Carrboro in a short time frame like you're talking about, you're going to have a huge political uprising. This community will not stand for that to take place. It will react to it, and it's going to be uncomfortable for everybody and it's not going to help our kids. We will resist this. I'm not so sure that we know what's right or wrong, but if it's imposed on us before we have an opportunity to really understand it; I'm coming here having just learned about this in the last couple of weeks. Tonight was an educational experience for me. Our kids are our most important part of our lives, besides our