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said that this year was one of the lowest per student increases in ten years that she has been a <br />teacher in Orange County. This concerns her. Support already in place will be eliminated with <br />this proposed budget. She said that she hopes the Board will reject the budget before them and <br />provide a realistic budget that supports the quality the County Commissioners demand. This <br />budget is less than 20°~ of what was requested. <br />Gayane Chambless thanked the Board for looking at the budget and figuring out haw to fund <br />both school systems. She said that she does not think this budget is sufficient to meet the <br />needs of the schools. She is willing to pay more per year in order to fully fund the school <br />systems. She said that 17 years ago the Board of County Commissioners addressed merger <br />and instead of that, they opted to look into mare collaboration and holding the funding disparity <br />at a maximum of 3°~. This has not happened. The difference has grown too as much as 13.5% <br />within one year alone. Regardless of the difference between the two systems and the best <br />intentions, the fact remains that Orange County has been under funded for many years. The <br />one need that has not been met that concerns her the most is the fact that they do not have <br />sufficient social workers in the school systems and there are many children falling through the <br />cracks. Currently, the social workers have double the maximum recommended caseload <br />according to national guidelines. The recommended budget is only $54 per child over what was <br />budgeted last year when OCS was under funded by 15.3%. This $54 will barely cover the cost <br />of two textbooks, much less the need of two social workers. She begged the County <br />Commissioners to throw OCS a lifeline to catch up with the years of under funding. <br />James Henniger said that a County Commissioner was quoted in the paper as questioning <br />whether the funding disparity between the districts is an issue of social justice. He has heard <br />the argument that parental wealth is the major factor in scholastic performance and that this <br />should explain the difference between city and county statistics. He said that it was more in line <br />with the budget shortfalls. The special district tax has morphed into something it was not <br />intended to do. The rural folk of Orange County did not vote for a special teacher supplement <br />during the depression, so now we are to suffer for all succeeding generations. He said that, <br />clearly Orange County, through the actions of the County Commissioners, is providing <br />opportunities to same people while denying it to others. According to the recommended budget, <br />CHCCS will receive $1,178 more per pupil than County students. He said that Commissioner <br />Carey has been the lightning rod an the merger issue. He quoted Supreme Court Justice <br />Marshall, "We sit not to resolve disputes over educational theory, but to enforce our <br />constitution." It is an inescapable fact that if one district has more funds available per pupil than <br />another district, the former will have greater choice of educational planning than will the latter. <br />The people have spoken clearly that they want to maintain their unique districts. If you continue <br />the present funding disparity, they may lose that option. The present system is inviting <br />traditional intervention. If that happens, we will be merged. He said that if we are to maintain <br />two districts, the special district tax must be reduced so that County schools can be adequately <br />funded. The County school board's request sets the per pupil appropriation at $2,852, which is <br />4.1 cents on the tax rate. He said that disproportionate funding is disproportionate opportunity, <br />and that is a social justice issue. <br />Randy Garcia said that he is representing TROSA, Triangle Residential Options for Substance <br />Abusers. This is anon-profit organization. He is celebrating four years of being off drugs. He <br />is a staff member at TROSA and he has served over 23 years of prison time. He said that <br />TROSA works. It is not the cure all for every person, but it is a good program. He asked the <br />Board to reconsider their application for funding. He said that there will always be drug addicts <br />and most criminals are in prison for drug-related issues. Since 1995 when TROSA started, <br />they have served 45 Orange County residents at a cost of $55 per day for 12,000 days of <br />