Orange County NC Website
I am writing because we need your help. For the first time in the life of the project (29 <br /> years) the funding from county government is at risk of coming to an end. This causes me <br /> grave concern about what will happen to this particular group of vulnerable students. The <br /> project serves approximately 150 students each year who are dealing with issues of violence, <br /> substance use, pregnancy, parenting, sadness, injurious behavior, divorce issues, and single <br /> parenting challenges. <br /> I have been engaged in dialogue with community and state leaders since last fall about <br /> the crucial role this project plays in the lives of our young people and how urgent is the matter of <br /> continuation funding to keep the project in place. Most particularly, I was invited to meet with <br /> Speaker Joe Hackney who has been a long-time supporter of this project and who speaks <br /> regularly of the impact this project has had in the lives of our youth in Orange County. He has <br /> recommended that the project staff seek funding from some of the 2010/2011 state initiatives, <br /> especially those grants that address mentoring, dropout prevention, and coop initiatives in the <br /> community. The funding cycles for these grant applications will be January 2011. To keep the <br /> project in place during this application process, we need financial support for the period of time <br /> from July 1, 2010 to January 1, 2011. There are no guarantees of funding, but it is promising in <br /> that Speaker Hackney has offered his endorsement of our projects' work. <br /> I am asking the Commissioners to continue funding of the project from July 1, 2010 to <br /> December 31, 2010. I ask your help for two reasons. First, it will allow us time to seek funding <br /> from other sources. Second, and most important, it will allow us time to help these students as <br /> well as referral sources, to deal with the potential termination of the project. We cannot just <br /> bring this project abruptly to an end on June 30, 2010. It would be a travesty to suddenly leave <br /> those particularly vulnerable students with nowhere to turn in a crisis. <br /> The project cost is $100,000.00 a year to maintain the current staffing level. I am asking <br /> for$50,000.00 to $75,000.00 to help us keep the project in place while we look for other funding <br /> sources. <br /> Thank you for the 29 years of continuation funding that you have provided, as well as the <br /> commitment and loyalty you have demonstrated in helping us reach the vulnerable young <br /> people in our county. It is indeed some of your best-spent dollars in Orange County!! <br /> Your favorable response to this request is greatly appreciated. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Betty Compton, FNP, Professor, UNC School of Medicine, AIN Director" <br /> Krystal Lyons is CHCCS PTA Council President and thanked the Board of County <br /> Commissioners for recommending maintaining the per-pupil funding. She said that the citizens <br /> of Orange County place a high priority on quality education. She said that this has been a <br /> difficult budget process. She said that the council is pleased that the BOE, the budget Manager, <br /> and the County Commissioners are maintaining a long-term view in discussing the need for <br /> sustainability for the future. She asked the County Commissioners to please adopt this budget <br /> as proposed because it reflects the values of the residents of Orange County. She said that at <br /> the latest PTA meeting there was discussion about the possibility of raising property taxes and <br /> they would work with the Board of County Commissioners to adopt the '/4 cent sales tax in the <br /> fall. She said that with the postponement of Elementary School #11 there is still a compelling <br /> need for this project to go through in the future. <br /> Greg Dingfelder said that he has been in Orange County for about four years and he <br /> moved here for the quality of education. He said that the 48.1% for education is making the <br /> schools lose FTEs, and he is not sold on that amount. <br /> Jessica Lee is the dentist representative on the Orange County Board of Health. She <br /> has served on the Board of Health for the last eight years, including past Chair and past Vice- <br /> Chair. She said that she has served on this board through many budget cuts and she asked <br /> that the County not cut anymore. She said that they are at the very minimum right now and this <br />