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needs, which many people have mentioned. This is a big and important issue. Chapel Hill schools are projected to need $100 million aver the next ten years, while Orange County needs $20 million. But why am I and other parents standing here explaining the problem? We didn't come here asking for merger. We came asking for fairness and equity in the educational opportunities for Orange County students. Where are the voices of our Commissioners and our school board members who have a legal obligation to represent the interests of the students in the Orange County system? The Board of Commissioners need to come clean and be honest about the existence of these flawed funding policies, recognize they've existed for far too long, and make a commitment to fix the problem. We understand the political realities behind these flawed policies, and we also understand that no one set out purposely to create this inequity. We understand the political expediency of the status quo, and that a majority of County citizens in both districts have supported the flawed funding policies for different reasons. But I'd argue that none of these citizens would have supported this flawed funding policy if they understood the fundamental unfairness behind it. Now is the time for the Commissioners to face facts, to embrace the reality of this flawed funding policy, explain it to all citizens. Only then can we have an informed and intelligent debate about the solutions that will serve the best interest of all of Orange County's public school children. Tim Godsey: Hi. I'm Tim Godley. I have been following the merger debate very closely and I have attended nearly every meeting. I wonder if I could get some CE credit for all this stuff. I have met with same Commissioners and other staff and I have enjoyed the free exchange of information. Therefore, I feel that I have a pretty good sense of what the problems are and what the facts are. One thing is for certain. No matter whom I speak with, pro or con, it is obvious this issue needs further study. My family and I went through a redistricting process last year, which was pretty gut wrenching, and I had hoped that we would never have to ga through that again. My, how time flies. But in all fairness, I think Steve Scroggs and his group developed a fair process. I felt that I could participate, that I had a say in the process. We could even submit our own plans if we wanted to. All the spreadsheets were available, etc. In addition, a variety of people were on the redistricting committees that were not on the school board. I don't feel that way about the issue of merger. There are a lot of unanswered questions about merger -bussing, redistricting, academic programs to mention a few. But the most basic question to me is where will our children go to school. Na one can answer this question. We the public want this information. I think the Orange County Board of Commissioners could benefit from a public relations consultant. I would recommend a slogan similar to Radio Shack -you have questions, meaning the public, we have answers, meaning the Commissioners. Instead, we have questions, you have no idea. How come there isn't accountability or an audit of how the school boards spend money they are allocated. This came to mind when a number of Orange County parents reported that there aren't enough schoolbooks far their kids. If Orange County is one of the top funded school districts in the State, where is all the money going? We all want what is best for our children, but we can't make any decisions without all the facts. Merger is not the solution. Please be imaginative and let us be a part of the process and let's fix the funding problem together. By the way, if you