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progressive property tax, where the richer people are taxed more. He said that he was shacked to learn that a farmer OCS Board member made a motion to put the district tax before the voters and he did not even get a second to the motion. He is confused about the politics behind it. Chair Carey pointed out that no county in the State has the authority to do a progressive property tax. Lisa Stuckey is Chair of the CHCCS Board. She thanked the County Commissioners for their support of the schools. The two districts are well funded, and this reflects the value the community places on education. She said that they face challenges that are unprecedented. The General Assembly is facing a $1.3 billion deficit. How this will be addressed remains uncertain. If some of the budget scenarios being discussed in Raleigh actually occur, the results locally could be devastating. Their district is also growing at a slower pace and did not meet State enrollment projections last year. As a result, their State and local budgets include adjustments under enrollment. They are still graving, but the projections were off. Also, utility rates, employee benefits, and other items make this year's budget tighter than ever. Their fund balance is also tapped out and they must build this back up. An additional factor this year is funding equity. However equity is ultimately defined and however it is ultimately achieved, she urged the County Commissioners to make sure that both districts benefit. She said that funding bath districts at the levels requested this year will be a step toward equity and would allow them to continue to meet the needs of their students. The budget request from CHCCS provides for a 6.5°~ increase in funding. Of that, approximately 40°~ covers the local portion of State salary and benefit mandates. Forty-eight percent would go toward continuation of existing services and meeting higher costs. Twelve percent addresses new initiatives, including those related to collaboration efforts. She said that the recommended per pupil increase of $95 would almost caner the local casts of State salary and benefit mandates. It would not pay far utility price increases or continuation items. It would not pay for new initiatives and it would leave them in a position of needing to reduce their proposed budget by $1.6 million, requiring cuts in existing programs and positions. Jennifer Roth is a teacher and CHCCS parent. She voiced her concerns about the current budget crisis. She was drawn to this school system because of the many exemplary programs offered to students. She asked the County Commissioners to fully fund Superintendent Pederson's budget request. She said that the funding request would allow for the continuation of many valuable programs. Quality will be compromised if the funding request is not granted. Heidi Harkins spoke on behalf of the Parent Advocacy Committee at Mary Scroggs Elementary School. She said that they fully support Superintendent Pederson's proposed budget. The CHCCS system is one of the finest public school systems in the state, and it is why many of them made the decision to move here. They believe that an adequately funded school system is a sound investment in the future of our children. Of the $2.9 million requested increase, 88°~ of it is necessary in order for the school system to continue to operate at its current level. The remainder, which would be used to support new initiatives, is modest. She said that funding education below the current level sends a message to children, teachers, and parents that they are not worthy. They are concerned with the health, safety, and education of their children. Jean Hamilton is a CHCCS parent. She is also a parent representative on the Estes Hills Elementary School Governance Committee. She supports the funding request of both school systems. She said that it was a sad irony that state and federal government rhetoric on improving public education is not matched by increased funding. She asked the County Commissioners to raise the property taxes so that both school systems could be funded adequately. In the event that the County taxes are not raised enough, then she requests that the special district tax be raised. She said that equity is when one's claim to resources is equal to one's contributions. In the case of the special district tax, it means that it is fair that the