Minutes 05-22-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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about the students' future means that others must make up for their shortsightedness. County residents are behind you. Please take bold action and fully fund the school district's request. From: Andrew Ross Phone Number: 9196196178 Message: Dear County Commissioners, I am a resident of Chapel Hill for over 7 years now. I am writing with some great budget concerns regarding education in North Carolina and specifically, in our district. However, I first want to thank you for your service during this tough fiscal time. I am a strong Democrat and recognize the challenges that you have had to deal with. As an involved parent of an 8-yr old daughter at a Chapel Hill Public School (Seawell Elementary), I also understand the challenges that each school administration and it's teachers have had to deal with. To say a lot is asked of them is an understatement. Likewise, parents are asked to give more money, give more time and get more involved. I probably receive on average 5 emails a day either from the school or district with some specific request of parents, usually money or a request for volunteers. I don't think the school administration, it's staff or it's parents should have to devote so much time and effort to funding schools. For example, I run a committee that helps to maintain the school grounds on a $500 annual budget. There are several acres. Just purchasing basic tools will run me beyond that on an annual basis. I have spent at least $1000 of my own money to ensure the grounds are in good shape in addition to contributing to most fundraisers that the school has and believe me, there are many. Schools must be adequately funded and by that I mean funded to ensure proper support is in place for educators and students and only teachers and their bosses really know what that means. Teachers must be paid and paid well. It is despicable that we want to pat ourselves on the back for offering a starting salary at$35000, and I believe that number won't hit for years to come. We love to talk about how important our teachers are but we sure don't pay them like they're that important. North Carolina has become the laughing stock for a number of issues across the country and our education spending per pupil is at the bottom. I think if we are going to look back in 15-20 years with any sense of pride about policies that were created, schools must be funded at or near requested levels and teachers should be paid at rates near the top of the nation, not the bottom. Raise taxes, cut other programs, end the giveaways to industries that don't need it, do whatever it is you have to ! do to show how important education is in this state. Education is the beginning, the middle and the end and without a good, accountable, well-funded system, little else will be achieved. I'm confident you will do the right thing and stand up for fully-funded schools. Thank you. From: Melissa Maloney Phone Number: 9199290132 Message: Dear Commissioners, I am a resident of Carrboro and the parent of two children: one in middle school and one in elementary school. I am writing to ask you to, please, do whatever you can to fully fund our schools. Year after year our schools have been experiencing cuts and we feel them. Seriously, at the holidays we were asked to not send gifts of candy or a teacher's mug?What they really would appreciate was copier paper.