Orange County NC Website
SUSANNE KEY, Chapel Hill School System, stated that the other <br /> speakers have covered her thoughts. She represents the segment which <br /> is supportive of the upper level � <br /> pp of the 66 million dollar package. She <br /> sees the need for the expansion now. The high school is at capacity and <br /> the increase in enrollment will p y <br /> mean things will not get better. <br /> SHANNON PACE, copresident of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Federation <br /> of Teachers, a member of the School Bond Committee and teacher at Estes <br /> Hills stated that there is overcrowding and many <br /> schools need roofs.Cha el Hill will grow by an average of 300 students <br /> a year and Orange <br /> County by an average of 140 students a year. She stated that many have no classrooms. She y <br /> encouraged the Board of County <br /> Commissioners to support a bond to educate the students into the 21st <br /> century. The Federation supports the bond and will work for its <br /> passage. <br /> SARAH STEWART, reading resource teacher in the Chapel Hill Schools <br /> since 1978, stated she has only had adequate work year. <br /> one space for <br /> p <br /> The schools have problems including inadequate space for teachers, roofs <br /> that need repair, etc. She urged the Board of County Commissioners to <br /> put the 66 million dollar bond before the people in May and begin the <br /> process to build new schools. She does not want to educate children in <br /> a trailer park or have a high school with 2200 students. She feels this <br /> is an opportunity to provide space designed to meet the needs of <br /> educating the students. She asked the Board of County Commissioners to <br /> support education. <br /> EILEEN MILLER, Principal of Estes Hills School, spoke on behalf of <br /> the parents and students. She stated that this projected growth <br /> indicates that three new schools are needed and should be placed where <br /> they are needed. Estes Hill's capacity is 500. Their current <br /> enrollment is 537. The schools in Chapel Hill are bursting at their <br /> seams. Their schools are antiquated with small classrooms. They lack <br /> space for creative movement. They have no space for a school nurse. <br /> They have inadequate lighting. Based on projections, it is anticipated <br /> that they will need one additional teacher but have no place for this <br /> teacher. Their current classroom space does not have updated computer <br /> equipment. The Estes Hill's community asked that the Board of County <br /> Commissioners consider a 66 million dollar bond package. <br /> TED PARRISH, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board member, shared some <br /> assumptions. He stated that children are the County's greatest <br /> resource; the County values education and wants to maintain their <br /> educational edge. Because most of the taxpayers place a high priority <br /> on education, he feels the bond issue will pass. He believes the 66 <br /> million dollar bond will help the two districts meet their educational <br /> needs. Children deserve better and more must be done. He feels they <br /> should address merger. A new high school is needed by Chapel Hill- <br /> Carrboro. He asked that the Board of County Commissioners keep children <br /> as their main focus. <br /> RUTH ROYSTER, Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board member, noted she <br /> was surprised by the number of classrooms in mobile trailers. Already <br />