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another 40 students in 2005-2006. With this increase in students, there are staffing, uniforms, and equipment needs. It is impossible for them to raise the amount of money needed to fund this program. She said that giving every student the opportunity to be a part of the band program is very important. She asked that the County Commissioners approve the $25,000 shown for each high school band program as well as to fully fund the entire school budget. Bob Bourett is a parent of three children in public schools. He had three points. First, the budget requests submitted by bath school systems are fiscally responsible and educationally necessary. He said that further cuts in non-classroom expenses do not appear feasible, but the proposed County budget does not even cover increases in operating costs over which the schools have no control. Therefore, failure by the County to provide all requested funds would force the school boards to make personnel cuts that would have a dramatically negative impact on the education of Orange County students. For the past eight years, he has volunteered at least an hour a week in elementary school classrooms. He said that part-time volunteers could not replace full-time educational professionals. Second, the citizens of Orange County have a long history of generously supporting K-12 education and continue to do so today. He recognizes the additional needs of the County besides schools. The only way to address these needs is a tax increase. He is confident that there are many voters who would gladly pay higher taxes in order to ensure adequate funding for the schools. He previously communicated his views to the Board via email and was pleased to received a response from Commissioner Jacobs, who noted his desire to continue the County's traditionally strong support for public education, but also painted out that a large tax increase works against having a diverse community in which people of all income levels can afford to live. Third, challenging circumstances require creative solutions. He said that perhaps it might be possible to achieve the twin goals of affordable taxes and the best public education in the State by establishing a graduated system of property tax rates. The County could follow the example of the progressive income tax and shift some of the property tax burden to those most able to pay. He thanked the County Commissioners for their many hours of dedicated service to Orange County. Tammy Finch is a half-time Gifted Education Specialist at Ephesus Elementary. She is in support of Superintendent Pederson's proposed budget. She asked for all items to be funded. She said that, for many years, CHCCS has been known for its excellence. To keep being excellent in education, it needs to be fully funded. She said that a vote to fully fund the budget is a vote for children. The children are the future leaders in the County. She urged the County Commissioners to fully fund the school's budget request. Natalie Noukhaly is a first grade teacher at McDougle Elementary and she represents the SGC, which is comprised of parents, teachers, and staff. They support full funding of the requested budget of CHCCS and strongly oppose anything less because it will negatively impact the quality of instruction. They are alarmed that if the Board of County Commissioners does not fully fund them that the school board may be forced to eliminate teacher assistants as acast-saving measure. This makes the goal of closing the achievement gap more elusive. Aerin Benavidos thanked the County Commissioners for allowing her to voice her opinion. She is a widow and she moved to the area to be near her sister in Durham. She chose to live in Chapel Hill because she values education. She values education so much that she feels that it is better than her own healthcare. If she had to choose between chemotherapy far herself and education for her child, she would choose education. She does not mind paying more taxes. She said that the value of education is invisible and just as necessary as the air for our children tomorrow. She moved here from Lima, Peru and she heard about Chapel Hill from an executive that came to speak at her private Schaal about the quality of education here. She found that everything he said was true and even beyond that. She spoke in support of full funding for the schools.