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my kids to college, as I'm planning to use an equity line to finance this. This makes me very angry, and I'm sure it would make you feel the same way. The problem I see is inequitable funding between the two school systems. In my opinion, merger is not the first or best solution to this situation. I've got two solutions. First, figure out a way to provide equitable funding for both school systems without merger. Second, you've heard Neil Pederson's proposal -increased collaboration between the two school systems. Perhaps magnet schools or programs such as an international baccalaureate program could be instituted that would be open to qualified students in both school districts. If after five to ten years of equitable funding there are real differences, then consider merger at that time. But promise not to redistrict any kids from either district far a reasonable period of time, maybe five to ten years. That would take the sting out of a merger. Perhaps during that five or ten year period, magnet programs put in place will eliminate the need to redistrict entirely as students will voluntarily elect to attend those programs. Or perhaps new schools will be built between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill, which will remove the long bussing problem. In my mind, merger should not be our first choice. The overwhelming majority of residents in both school districts do not want merger. They are, however, agreeable to equitable funding. The fact that we have a rural buffer zone, which would lead to long senseless bussing, makes merger the wrong solution at this time. I hope you all agree. Thank you. Rick Chambless: Good evening, it's been a long day, so I'm going to be brief as well. I'd like to start by thanking the County Commissioners for the opportunity to express my opinion on this extremely sensitive subject. My name is Rick Chambless, and I'm a native of Orange County, a product of the Chapel Hill-Carrbaro City school system, and a local businessman in Chapel Hill. Currently, my wife and I reside in Hillsborough and my son attends A. L. Stanback Middle School. I applaud Commissioner Carey for bringing the issue of disparity in opportunities and funding between the two systems forward for public discussion, with an eye toward permanently eliminating the inequities between the two districts. By doing so, you jumpstarted the discussion, which has lain dormant for 17 years when this issue was last visited. At the time, the report suggested that merger was not necessary in 1986, but it may be in the future, and the County should work towards greater collaboration between the two systems and elimination of the funding gap. Fast forward to 2003, the funding gap has risen to the paint where the Orange school district is being funded at 85°~ of its requested budget, while the Chapel Hill-Carrboro district is fully funded. Collaboration across district boundaries has been discussed, yet rarely acted upon. The recent call for merger has created numerous plans from both districts to fix the problem without merger. Mast of these plans rely on increased collaboration, perhaps an Orange district tax, or a small increase in the countywide property tax. Worthwhile alternatives. I question how realistic they actually are. I am very concerned, for example, that once merger is off the front pages, much of the impetus for voluntary collaboration will die by the wayside just as it did 17 years ago. Given the makeup of the Orange district electorate and the Orange district school board, I seriously doubt the viability of a separate district tax ever being enacted. The four-cent per hundred property tax increase will only account for 50°~ of the current funding gap between what the Orange district is asking. Depending on your point of view, this brings us right back to the consideration of merger. I was in first grade during the last school merger in this County, and yes it was a painful experience for many as change can often be painful. But I don't think there's a person here today who would argue that it was a bad merger since it struck down a system, which was so-called separate but equal, although in reality it was truly unequal. Today we have two separate systems in our community -separated not by race, but by opportunity and socioeconomic status. I ask