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A RESOLUTION SEEKING SUPPORT FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA 2U
<br />GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR ESTABLISHING ADEQUATE AND REELABLE
<br />FUNDING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE TRIANGLE AND THROUGHOUT
<br />THE STATE
<br />WHEREAS, Durham, Orange and Wake Counties, along with their respective school
<br />districts, Durham Public Schools, Orange County Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, and
<br />Wake County Public School System, firmly believe that every child within the Triangle should have
<br />equal access to a sound quality public education in a safe learning environment; and,
<br />WHEREAS, the responsibility of providuig these educational opportunities is shared between
<br />the State of North Carolina, our counties, and our local school districts under the guidance of North
<br />Carolina's constitution; and,
<br />WHEREAS, while overall state educational funding has increased lazgely to meet student
<br />population growth, class-size reduction in elementary grades and personnel salary and benefit
<br />increases, state budgeting of public schools as a percentage of the state general fund has however
<br />trended downward, resulting in reduced resources for schools without similar reductions in mandated
<br />program responsibilities; and,
<br />WHEREAS, elementary class-size reductions result in an unfunded mandate that does not
<br />allow for adequate capital planning and imposes a burden on counties to fund additional school
<br />facilities; and,
<br />WHEREAS, parallel budget cuts affecting public schools have resulted in required state
<br />discretionary reductions, declining teacher assistant allotments, decreased school transportation
<br />operating funds, inadequate instructional technology support, withheld capital needs resources; and,
<br />WHEREAS, stagnant funding for public schools has resulted in too few teacher allotments,
<br />inadequate staffing allotments, lagging non-uistructional support positions, insufficient textbook
<br />allocations, deficient instructional supplies, limited funds for children with special needs, etc.; and,
<br />WHEREAS, these funding deficiencies create a greater reliance on local funding, thereby
<br />exacerbating inequities in educational opportunities across the state; and,
<br />WHEREAS, in light of this trend the Triangle's county governments and school districts seek
<br />support fi-om the North Carolina General Assembly to reverse this course and establish adequate and
<br />reliable funding of public schools;
<br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Durham, Orange and Wake Counties, along
<br />with the Durham Public Schools, Orange County Schools, Chapel Hill-Cairboro City Schools, and
<br />Wake County Public School' System, call upon the North Carolina General Assembly to reverse the
<br />ongoing trend of insufficient operational and capital funding for public schools.
<br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly establish adequate and reliable
<br />funding of public schools in North Carolina that matches needs, resources and mandates.
<br />BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this resolution be executed by the respective counties
<br />and public school systems in the Triangle and that this document be presented to our legislative
<br />delegations, along with appropriate state officials who have responsibilities for public schools -
<br />including Governor Easley, the Chair of the State Board of Education, and the State Superintendent
<br />of Public Instruction.
<br />Adopted and Approved this the 30`h day of November 2004.
<br />Chair, Durham County Board of Comnssioners Chair urham Public Schools
<br />` , C.'~
<br />air, Oran Bo d of Commissioners Ch ,Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
<br />Chair, Orange Court Schools
<br />Chair ake o Boazd of Commissioners Chair, Wake Co zty 'c School System
<br />
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