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have earned by their hard work and dedication. Additionally, the funding would allow the hiring of one to two more teachers per school. Mr. Morcombe also requested that the Board fund a request for six (6) school buses, or one (1) per 100 students. At present, buses are retired from use by state school systems after 164,000 miles; however, this does not hold true in charter schools. Mr. Morcombe would like to see this inequity remedied to ensure the safety of his students. The buses will cost $50,000.00 each, translating into a $500.00 per student expense. While this may seem like a significant sum, compare this figure to the $20,000.00 per student costs to build a new school. Debbie LeMay is the President of the PTSA at Guy Phillips Middle School in Chapel Hill, as well as being involved in the PTSA Board at East Chapel Hill High School. Ms. LeMay stated she has lived in Chapel Hill for seven (7) years and moved to this area because of the high-quality schools. In her state of origin, teachers are highly paid to attract the very best individuals. She believes that Orange County will only get what it pays for, and getting and keeping the best teachers will require higher salaries. During her tenure here, she has seen a great deal of growth. To maintain the school districts' excellent reputation will require raising teacher salaries to afford the best-qualified persons. This also becomes important in functioning as a role model to encourage this generation of students to become teachers themselves. Although this is a large budget request, there are no frills added. Without funding this request, Ms. LeMay is concerned that the new addition to East Chapel Hill High School will not be opened on time, although there will be 300 additional students. She asked the Commissioners to fully fund the school districts' budget and serve as an advocate for the County's children. Joe Robbins is President of the Board of the Friends of Orange County Department of Social Services and is here to speak on behalf of social services. Friends is a non-profit organization that has been in existence for six (6) years. The organization assists the clients of DSS who cannot be served properly in that context due to funding, timing, regulations, and so forth. He would like to be able to increase services to clients. He state that Friends has contributed at least $22,000.00 each year to the County to help their clients to overcome their difficulties. This past year, over 300 clients have been aided with clothing, furniture, appliances, and other services. Friends serves as a partner with the County. Friends had an appreciation breakfast this year for the DSS workers. Awards were given to various individuals for their success in helping clients reclaim their lives. The budget increase requests are for foster care, and aid for abused and neglected children. He requested that the Commissioners please review and approve the budget as requested by the Department of Social Services. Gloria Fraly thanked the Commissioners for their past support for school budgets, although she disagrees with the County Manager's recommended budget. She appreciates the Commissioners' desire to establish accountability for school expenditures. She pointed out how well the schools have performed, particularly on the State writing test to improve proficiency. She supports specific items of the budget. As a founding member of Stop Overcrowding Schools (SOS), she strongly supports the start-up funds for the Scroggs Elementary School. In the past, she has spoken before the County Commissioners to express that the school system is the best resource of Orange County. The quality of schools serves to attract potential residents to the community. The teachers of the schools are the best assets, yet they are not paid enough or supported enough. Tonight, there is surely a teacher somewhere looking for a way to meet the needs of one of their pupils in the face of a lack of financial support. Any funding that supports and enhances the teachers situation has her backing. She further stated her support for the limited English proficiency funding. She works as a volunteer with Hispanic children who dream of someday fulfilling their potential. She requested that the Commissioners fully fund the school districts' budget. Joe Capowski declined to speak. Susan Dodge thanked the Commissioners for their commitment to the students of Orange County. She serves as a tech specialist in the school system. She feels that the recommended budget does not address the very real need for support to the technology program. Our state mandates that students acquire certain skills as they move through the school system. This presents a challenge with limited funding to find creative ways to meet this requirement. There needs to be more tools in the classroom, as well as training and support for teachers to encourage the growth of the technology program. Although her job description calls upon her to educate students as to technology, the County's computer systems are becoming so large