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national representatives to know that the decisions impact the local level. She thinks it would be <br />important for the legislators to be a part of the process of bringing the three boards together and <br />how the decisions impact the local level. Commissioner Brawn said that this is a wonderful <br />start. <br />Chair Jacobs said that he does not think it is our legislators from Orange County that are the <br />problem. He made reference to the $72 million and said that it was half of what was given to RJ <br />Reynolds last fall to keep jobs in North Carolina when studies show that the most important <br />thing for attracting companies to the state is education. <br />Chair Jacobs said that one of the things that Ronald Reagan did was to demonize government <br />and make popular the notion that cutting taxes was better than funding services. He thinks this <br />is the age we are living in. He said that there is no simple way out of this other than to continue <br />to advocate for the values. <br />Chair Jacobs said that last year the County Commissioners discussed the fund balance and <br />decided that the policy is obsolete. The County has not followed the policy for years, and it <br />does not make sense to have a policy that you do not follow. He said that the fund balance is <br />attempting to address the cuts at the state level. He asked Finance Director Ken Chavious if <br />they have decided to take $1.5 million out of the fund balance. Ken Chavious said that this is an <br />alternative. <br />Neil Pedersen said that the board's budget shows $1 million. They wanted to show the impact <br />of $1.5 million. Chair Jacobs encouraged the school board to use $1.5 million. <br />Neil Pedersen thanked the County Commissioners far the funding of nurses this year. <br />OCS Superintendent and Board of Education Presentation: <br />OCS Board Chair Brenda Stephens said that they stand shoulder to shoulder with CHCCS, <br />appealing on behalf of their schools. They recognize and appreciate that they lead the state <br />historically for funding education. However, they need more. <br />Superintendent Shirley Carraway made the presentation. <br />Orange County Schools <br />"Providing Educational Opportunities for Successful Futures" <br />- Orange County school budget allocation increase 2003-04: $1,112,694 <br />- Department of Public Instruction Projected Student Enrollment 2003-04: 6,451 <br />- Actual Orange County School Enrollment 2003-04: 6,503 <br />- Department of Public Instruction student projection for 2004-05: 6,632 <br />