Minutes - 19960610 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

the funding problems. He mentioned that the resource and support staff are essential to providing quality education to our students. He also stated that very lean budgets were initially submitted to the school board, after which they were required to cut the supply budgets another 24%. This makes it nearly impossible for teachers to provide the materials needed to enhance the learning environment. Dave Thaden, Principal of East Chapel Hill High School, thanked the Manager for funding the start-up costs for both of the new schools. He mentioned that technology specialists are important and need to be funded, as do programs designed for the non-college bound student. He requested that the Board of Commissioners look at the manner in which the impact fee is distributed to the school systems. He asked that disbursement be done when the impact fees are actually collected. This would greatly help in paying for new school start-up costs for this year. A copy of his comments, in their entirety, is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's office. MaryAnne Rosenman, past President of the PTA Council, stated that the class sizes must be reduced in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School District in order to provide the quality of education that each of the students deserve. Full funding of this budget request is critical in order to have a lower student to teacher ratio. She also felt that per capita funding did not take into account that 85% of new building permits were issued within the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School System. Robin McCoy, a parent and Assistant Principal in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School System, spoke in support of the school board's budget request. She urged the County Commissioners to fully fund this year's budget request. Pat DeTitta, a Chapel Hill High School teacher, asked that discretionary funds be allocated to fund the necessary classified employee positions. She mentioned that not funding technology specialists will lead to larger size classes as money from existing funds will need to be used to fund those positions. She requested full funding of the school board's budget request. Kathryn Britton, a parent in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School System, requested full funding of the school board's request. She requested that the district tax be increased. The Orange County system should not have to pay for growth in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro system. She mentioned that she worked on a Task Force for Academically Gifted students. One of the Task Force's recommendations was to hire an Enrichment Teacher who would support classroom teachers in developing programs to reach gifted students. Gloria Faley, a parent and vice-president of the PTA Council, felt that many necessary items were removed from the school's budget request prior to its adoption. It is not possible to cut the budget further without detrimental consequences. It is important to build new schools while continuing to meet the needs of existing schools. Louise D'Addario, a Chapel Hill High School parent and member of the PTA Transportation Advisory Committee, requested that the transportation needs for the school system be addressed. In particular, the drivers must be paid a competitive salary and direct communication needs to be installed on each bus. A copy of her comments is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's office. Barbara Putnee, a member of the PTA Council, endorsed the school's budget request. She mentioned that the Council often purchases the computers and wiring to meet the student's