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same County, I submit that it would be equally unfair, regardless of what the law states, for a merger between two highly successful school districts to be affected unilaterally and irreversibly without a voter referendum. I would ask that the County Commissioners not change their goals for increased funding for Orange County schools, but to carefully consider methods other than merger to achieve that same objective. Dr. Pederson has presented a proposal that will accomplish the goals, which you have set forth. His plan will encourage a collaboration building on the strengths of both school systems, and it will preserve the neighborhood quality of our schools. It will also provide more flexibility and autonomy in determining the amount of extra taxes those residents in the Orange County school district will pay. In conclusion, I strongly urge that the Orange County and Chapel Hill school boards commit to a detailed plan of collaboration, and that the Board of County Commissioners give careful consideration to Superintendent Neil Pederson's proposal to increase funding to Orange County schools. Let's improve both of our school systems democratically and in a spirit of collaboration rather than division. Thank you. Carole Andrews: At this time of night I'm going to sound a little redundant, but thank you. I have two children in Orange County schools and it will be three next year. The education of my kids is one of the many important aspects of their lives, and I'm not looking sa much at district ratings, etc. as much as I'm looking to see that my kids are getting the kind of education that I envision for them. I'm really happy with my kids' school. And again, not to be redundant, you've heard the list of the things that Orange County schools went without last year. My whole involvement, and this started because the main thing I wanted to add to their education was foreign language study. I feel that foreign language study should be basic. Today, one in five American homes are speaking a language other than English. It enhances the learning of English itself and works best if started early at the elementary school level. In Orange County schools, there is a waiting list at the middle school level. Every year, it's not funded. My kids are going to lose out because it's another year they didn't get it. I think that the Chapel Hill district tax is putting a cap on what Orange County schools are funded each year. And I ask you if you actually like the tax because you don't have to put out as much every year to reach that little, you know, 49% pie that you are looking at in terms of what you're going to fund the schools each year. Chapel Hill has the population, socioeconomic status to support this tax, but it's affecting Orange County schools and we're suffering because of it. It is limiting what you will give Orange County schools each year and makes my kids, and I feel like, lesser citizens of the County. I've heard a number of times that we should not rush this, and I think that's true in terms of merger, but I don't think sa in terms of funding. I don't think we can ga on not getting the money that we need. I agree with collaboration. I look at the study that was done in 1985-86 and it said that we should be collaborating in terms of education, but I think 18 years is really not rushing things. I think that we need to act. Thank you. John Vltaszak: I want to start off by saying that I voted for all five of you. Although I may not want to say it as loudly in this company. I have a child who goes to school in Chapel Hill. He's at Chapel Hill high school, and I would not wish for him anything other than what he has. He has had all the opportunity in the world. I don't want to take