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024 <br />board would also select the superintendent for the merged system. The board <br />would deal with attitude, concerns and taxes. <br />13. Lindsay Efland asked about the average state expenditure per pupil. <br />Dr. Spencer indicated the state average for 1982-83 was 5523 which <br />does not include food service receipts. <br />Chair Willhoit pointed out that Orange County ranked second in the state <br />for the percent of funds going toward the school budget. <br />Dr. Spencer noted this figure represents the percent of the funds <br />accessible (as Conmiissioners for the schools) but i.s not related to the effort <br />being made. <br />14. Edith Wiggins asked how an interim board is constituted and designed. <br />Dr. Spencer explained the interim board would be part of the plan <br />that the Commissioners would agree upon. The two school boards would need to <br />agree and present the plan to the State for their approval. They would take <br />.. office one year prior to merger and would be dissolved upon merger. <br />15. Commissioner 11oyd referred to Ashehoro and the county school and the <br />difference in the cost as related to the situation for Orange County and Chapel <br />Iii.ll/Carrboro Schools. <br />Dr. Spencer noted there are a lot of issues that stand i.rt the way of <br />looking realistically at the question of merger, with the most important issue <br />being expenditures and how to provide quality education in the future that <br />these extra dollars are buying now in Chapel Bill. <br />16. Dr. Parrish asked if Dr. Spencer ever had a situation where irxli- <br />cators up front point out that it is impractical to do a study. <br />Dr. Spencer indicated that bigger does not necessarily mean better <br />and cited Wake aryl Mecklenburg school systems as being too big. There are <br />reasons when merger is not the best alternative, but when you consider other <br />alternatives, merger is the oN.y way to go. <br />17. Norman Haithoock asked about the cost per child in Wake County after <br />the merger. <br />Dr. Spencer indicated that in 1976, prior to merger, it Est 5225 per <br />child and in 1981, after the merger, it cast 5619 per child. Following merger <br />Wake County spent 142 more per child while the state average increased 104 <br />during that same time period. <br />18. Norman Haithcock irx~uired about administrative problems. <br />Dr. Spencer irrlicated most administrative problems were related to <br />size. <br />19. Norman Fiaithcock asked if the study would be more feasible after I-40 <br />was i.n place. <br />Dr. Spencer noted that the implications are unknown. <br />20. Walter Fairbault asked about the implications of the career ladder. <br />Dr. Spencer indicated there should be no problems. The implications <br />will be seen in the basic education which depends upon state funding. <br />21. Norman Haithcock asked why a study should .be done on merger since <br />this is not a pressing issue in Orange County. <br />Dr. Spencer explained that this issue could polarize counties. It <br />should be reviewed and a determination made about the good that could corm from <br />merger as well as the problems. If merger becomes manatory by the state, the <br />County would be better able to deal with it if a study had been c~rnpleted. <br />22. Verla Insko asked if most of the studies come at a time when there is <br />pressure or a need to consider merger. <br />Dz. Spencer noted that generally there is some motivating factor. <br />The pressure may come from F!?A groups, Conunissioners, Chamber of Comrrezences, <br />