Minutes - 06-07-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Larry Martin is a parent of two children at Efland-Cheeks Elementary School. He said that the budget that was submitted by the school board had no frills. He is in favor of the school district tax for Orange County schools. Natalie Hough said that she finished third grade today at Grady Brown Elementary School. She said that a lot of teachers have been saying that there is not enough money to do all the work that they are doing. She spoke about her special classes of music and art. She said that if the schools do not have enough money the quality of education would shrink. She asked the County Commissioners to please raise the school budget. Jordan Hester said that the County Commissioners might remember her from the last public hearing. She asked the County Commissioners to please remember her. Stacy Lee said that she has spent the last 24 hours celebrating the many successes of Orange County schools. She said that after 13 years, she has never been more proud to be associated with Orange County schools. However, it was at Stanback today that she heard the comments that she will present. She said that her and her colleagues consider themselves public servants. She said that she was reminded again today that "someone is always watching you". She asked the County Commissioners, as they roll up their sleeves to tackle this budget, that they remember that there are many "someones" watching them. Elizabeth McCue spoke in Spanish. She spoke about the Spanish program at Grady A. Brown. Ida Wistar translated. She said that this year at Grady A. Brown a Spanish program was started that was very successful. During the year, the administration, parents, teachers, and students learned how to speak Spanish. There is also a growing number of Spanish speaking people moving to North Carolina and we want to educate ourselves in this diverse environment. She said that she hopes that Orange County considers extending the Spanish program to other elementary schools in the County. Jill Shatterly, a fourth-year teacher at Efland-Cheeks, said that she did not graduate today as many of the elementary children in the room had, but she did recently earn career status as a teacher. She said that in Orange County there is a tradition of support for education and for teachers. She said that she is proud to live and work in a place where there is such support for teachers. She said that the proposed budget would not support Orange County's tradition so much. She asked the County Commissioners to da what they could to continue the tradition of support. Denise Best brought a young man up with her named Larry. Larry asked the County Commissioners to please support the budget in the Orange County schools. Denise Best spoke about Larry and said that he has been in Durham County schools and the Charter Schools. She said that the reason he had an A- in math was because of the resource teachers in Orange County that helped him close the gap. Shannon Elliot said that she wants to be a teacher and an artist. She asked the County Commissioners to please support the Orange County school budget in full. Victoria Mattison spoke about Pathways Elementary and that it needs to be fully opened and operational. She said that Orange County is number one in the state in giving to the schools. She asked the Board of County Commissioners to go far and beyond that and to think of all the children and teachers. She said that this was the last day of school and although these students should be watching television and the teachers should be resting and putting their feet up, they are here tonight instead. She asked the County Commissioners to let everything go smoothly so they do not have to worry about opening Pathways. Carol Elliott asked the County Commissioners to fully support the Orange County school budget. Suzanne Phipps, a parent of a child at Grady A. Brown spoke about a double message that is being given to our children. She said that we tell our children that education is important, but the budget cut demonstrates that education is not important. She said that the message with the strongest impact is the one that is demonstrated rather than spoken. She said that education is not important, but a priority.