Minutes - 20070531 - Laserfiche WebLink

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financial consultation to review Orange County's current and ten-year projected financial needs. He made reference to page 5 of the PowerPoint presentation regarding $18.9 million of debt service for school facilities. He asked about the interest rates on this and if these could be lowered. He said that full financial disclosure on the website that clearly details sources and uses of funds should be an integral part of the mandate. He said that the County Commissioners are the guardians and gatekeepers of the educational future of their children and the future of America. Scot Winters said that he is a taxpayer and has children in CHCCS. He said that one of his sons had special needs and received special educational services, and after several years he gat to grade level. At that point, he was told that his son no longer qualified for services. He said that he was told that if his son failed the following year, that he could again receive special education services. He said that he is concerned about this issue. He said that the properties in the County have the value that they have because of the school systems. He said that he is concerned about the decision to put budget funds in arrears for the lottery. He would like reconsideration in all areas to keep education a priority. Mitch Cox said that he has taught almost 25 years in OCS, had two children graduate from OCS, and is a taxpayer. He encouraged the Board of County Commissioners to support the OCS budget and to fully fund it. He said that the State has mandated, beginning with this year's Freshman class, that all high school students, in order to graduate, will engage in a research project their senior year. OCS has been requiring a similar assignment for the last ten years. He said that today, while sitting in his classroom, he listened to one of his students as she was giving her presentation advocating for public school financial support for the arts, and she mentioned the difficult choices faced by many counties and school systems. The presentation included issues such as choosing between teaching students mathematics and teaching them music. He said that he would hate to see Orange County having to make such a choice, and that is why he is here to urge the County Commissioners to fully fund the budget request. Dennis Whitling, Chair of Orange County Schools Board of Education, read a resolution that was passed at the last board of education meeting: WHEREAS, the Orange County Schools Board of Education has unanimously approved an increase in the system's operating budget of $3.7 million to fund district needs; and WHEREAS, The North Carolina legislative mandates and the addition of 8th grade to Gravelly Hill Middle School amount to $1.8 million; and WHEREAS, Funding far our new initiatives are important to enhancing educational opportunities for Orange County students; and WHEREAS, Based on current County budget projections, we recognize that not even our mandates and Gravelly Hill Middle School requirements will be fully funded, with no new money for new initiatives; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Schools Board of Education supports an increase in the County ad valorem tax and/or an adjustment in the County budget allocation to fund the 2007-2008 school budget. This, the 21St day of May 2007. He added that this resolution was passed unanimously. He said that the school board recognizes that the County Commissioners have been diligent in supporting education in the past. He thanked all people that came out to support the school board's position. Sue Cunningham is a parent of an OCS student. She said that she supports the OCS Board of Education in the budget. She said that there are some aging schools in the OCS and in some schools, there is no heat and air. She said that for children to get notes home telling them to wear jackets, mittens, and hats to class is not acceptable. She said that Cameron Park's gym has 12 heating/air units, but usually only one unit is working. She said that OCS