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15 <br /> 1 From: Chris van Hasselt <br /> 2 Phone Number: 9193605375 <br /> 3 Message: <br /> 4 As a parent with a daughter in the CHCCS school system, I have been very impressed with the <br /> 5 quality of education my little girl has received from teachers at Carrboro Elementary. As a child, <br /> 6 1 attended a private Catholic elementary school. Our schools easily rival if not surpass the <br /> 7 educational quality I received as a child. <br /> 8 <br /> 9 But that quality depends on funding, as you know. A vote to reduce funding will seriously <br /> 10 undermine the reputation for school excellence that all of us - educators, parents, politicians, <br /> 11 and school staff and administrators - have worked for over the years. I hope that you will work <br /> 12 to find a way, even if it involves tax or fee increases, to fully fund the budget requests of our <br /> 13 school districts. And I hope you will take a unanimous, principled stand by encouraging your <br /> 14 fellow elected officials in Raleigh to fully support public education that is inclusive of our whole <br /> 15 community. <br /> 16 <br /> 17 Sincerely, Chris G. van Hasselt <br /> 18 Resident and taxpayer, living in Carrboro for over 20 years. <br /> 19 <br /> 20 <br /> 21 From: Julie Primost Farkas <br /> 22 Phone Number: 9199047039 <br /> 23 Message: <br /> 24 Dear Orange County Commissioners, <br /> 25 As a former publicly educated student, a parent of two children in the Chapel Hill/ Carrboro City <br /> 26 Schools, and a public school teacher (in Durham), a citizen, a neighbor and a voter, 1 <br /> 27 enthusiastically support full funding for public education with my tax dollars and my votes. I vote <br /> 28 in every local, state and national election. A quality, well-funded public educational system is <br /> 29 the foundation of a strong democratic society and I urge you to use your authority as elected <br /> 30 representatives to support our public schools with the financial resources needed and <br /> 31 requested. <br /> 32 <br /> 33 A healthy, well-funded school system supports the economic development of a community, and <br /> 34 to short-change the schools at this critical time in our nation's economic recovery would be <br /> 35 penny-wise and pound-foolish. The dividends of an educated and skilled workforce for the future <br /> 36 of our region are well worth the investment of financial resources in the present. I firmly believe <br /> 37 that all citizens benefit from a quality public school system in maintaining property values, in <br /> 38 providing skilled workers for the economic system, and in promoting the critical thinking skills of <br /> 39 future voters and citizens. Even if I did not have children in the school system, even if I were <br /> 40 not myself a public school teacher, I would nonetheless support our public schools as a member <br /> 41 of this community. <br /> 42 <br /> 43 At this critical juncture, when the whole nation is looking at North Carolina (with incredulity, 1 <br /> 44 might add - and some cities, Houston TX, for example, are actively recruiting NC teachers) it is <br /> 45 more important than ever to reaffirm our support for public education. There is never enough <br /> 46 money for all the projects one would like to fund, but budgeting is about choices and priorities. <br /> 47 When I budget for my household, I prioritize my children and my family's future. Our community <br /> 48 should similarly prioritize our children and our collective future. <br /> 49 <br /> 50 Sincerely, <br /> 51 Julie Farkas <br /> 52 Chapel Hill <br />