Minutes - 06-01-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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She said that literacy far all was not a frivolous goal. She said that far three years in a raw, the Superintendent's budget has included a request for an additional half-time teacher for academically gifted students. This position has never been funded. She said that the gains being measured in the academically at-risk population are not being mirrored in the academically gifted population. Sean Smith, a parent of a student from New Hope Elementary Schoal, asked for full funding of Superintendent Bridges' budget. He said that the decision the County Commissioners make on this budget would send a clear message about the County's support to every prospective teacher, administrator, and central office staff that Orange County schools tries to recruit. He said that what the County does with this budget will largely determine whether Orange County schools will be able to recruit the best or something less. Tom Rankin, a parent of two children in the Orange County school system, asked that the County Commissioners support the full budget as presented. For the past two years he has served on the board of the Orange County Education Foundation. He said that the budget was fully justified to provide the best for Orange County residents. The County Manager's recommended budget reduces an already lean budget, making it seem nearly impossible to fully fund the mandated teacher pay raises, the opening of Pathways Elementary School, ESL teachers, etc. He urged the Commissioners to move on behalf of Superintendent Bridges' request. Sharon Bottesch, a teacher and a resident of Orange County, urged the County Commissioners to fully fund the Superintendent's budget. She said that without full funding of the budget, it would be increasingly more difficult to maintain the excellent standards that the school system has. Joanna Massoth, a fifth grade teacher at Hillsborough Elementary Schoal, spoke in support of a reading teacher at Hillsborough Elementary School for the third through fifth grade students. Sheri Nutter, a parent of a first grader, asked that the County Commissioners fully fund the budget so that a reading teacher can be hired at Hillsborough Elementary School. Her daughter has been involved in the Reading Recovery Program and has made tremendous improvement in her reading ability. Dana Thompson spoke on behalf of the Orange County schools and a group of citizens. She thanked the County Commissioners far their past support. She said that the Superintendent's budget would allow the progress to continue in Orange County schools. She said that the Superintendent has only asked for what the schools need. Derrick Byrd, a member of the Board of Directors far Hopeline, said that he is appreciative of the funding that the County Commissioners have included in the budget. He explained the programs that Hapeline offers. Hopeline is the only 24-hour crisis line serving the entire Triangle region. They have enhanced their services to add toll-free phone numbers to better serve residents of Durham and Orange Counties. They offer help with any type of crisis, including suicide. They have two programs that are directed at youth, Phone Friend and Teen Talk Line. Phone Friend is available from 3-6 p.m. for children who are home alone after school or just need a friendly ear. Phone Friend helps more than 3,000 elementary school children per year. They will be distributing a newsletter to students in Orange County schools. Teen Talk Line is available far middle and high school students from 4-8 p.m. and is staffed by trained teen volunteers. They have initiated a new program this year where volunteers come in and make calls to senior citizens that may be sick orshut-in. Tina Farmer, a parent, a taxpayer, and a volunteer in Orange County and Orange County schools spoke on behalf of the children that are our future. She spoke about the many needs in the school system. She attended the school board meeting where the principals made budget requests that were modest. She asked the Commissioners not to deny the children the best education that we can provide. Greg Sampson said that the education budget does not show a line item that reflects the supplies that are purchased by the teachers to make up for the various shortfalls produced by the policy of the County aver the years of funding less than 100°~ of the requested education budget. He has four children, and not one of them has had a school year when the teachers have not felt compelled to donate supplies. He urged the Commissioners to adopt a policy of adapting 100°~ of the education budget.