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Merging the school systems would fix problems that don't exist at McDougle schools. If funding issues negatively impact Orange County schools, then please, by all means, fix those issues. But don't fix them at the expense of other kids. Don't replace aten- minute walk to school with a 45-minute bus ride. My husband and I voted for each one of you, and we elected you to fix our problems, not create them. Chapel Hill schools aren't broken, so please don't fix them. Please consider alternatives to merger. Thank you. Kelly Monroe-Porco: I saw this on the road today, and it woke me up. She was referring to a sign. It's a sign, right up with all the voting signs, but there's no endorsement on it. Therefore, it's an illegal sign. And I brought it tonight because my argument du jour for merger is the fact that we have many farces working against the students of Orange County. And that's what I want to talk about tonight. And I want to talk about the fact that we need your help, as our elected public officials, to make the right and not politically safe decision regarding equitable funding because of the forces we have working against us, and here they are. Our students are victims of a district tax that determines what their school district will get. They're victims of some administrators and same school board members who lack vision and who adamantly appose change because they fear they will be out of a jab or position of power. They are the unwitting victims of a group that consistently opposes new taxes far anything, and continually votes against bond issues. Ironically, those people spoke in this very building tonight that they tried to vote down, and it's a good thing we didn't listen, folks, because we'd be out in a field tonight if we listened to CSE. They are victims of a political system that's funded by a wealthy majority of voters who are almost impossible to oppose because they will use their voting power to influence or get rid of anyone in office who opposes them, and I'm sorry far that. They're victims of people who make blanket statements and use propaganda like this sign to hide behind, because they don't posses the courage to stand behind their own convictions and sign their handiwork. I'm a member of FICS, I've put out a lot of documents and I've put my name on them because I believe in what's on that document. So despite what many will tell you about democracy and fairness in letting the voters decide this issue, I want to remind you that issues of fundamental fairness are decided in our court system far a reason, and they're decided by you far a reason. Everyone knows that if we always let the majority decide, many sound laws and policies designed to protect would have never been put forward. It's up to you Commissioners to be the arbiters of fairness and come up with a solution that does not necessarily benefit taxpayers, school administrators, politicians, or any other adult bias, but one that benefits opportunities far all children. Thank you. Donna Jones: Good evening. I'm Donna Jones; I'm a parent of two bays at Hillsborough Elementary, the only year round elementary school in the entire County. I've experienced two mergers in the last ten years -Burroughs Welcome and Glaxo and Glaxo and Smith Klein/ Beechum. I realize these are not schools, but there is learning gained from each one and I'd like to share some with you tonight. The reasons businesses usually merge are for continued revenue stream, to gain more assets in their research and development, or to increase size, which usually gives them an edge