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It is understandable that county commissioners are reluctant to have a say in how school <br /> monies are spent; however, as the ones who hold the purse strings, I believe you have a <br /> responsibility to ensure that the monies we entrust you with covers two basics: <br /> - - Adequate, well-maintained school facilities <br /> - - Well-paid, experienced teachers (salary policy not specific teacher salaries) <br /> Neither building maintenance/repair nor teacher salaries should be at the mercy of changing <br /> conditions, the desire for new programs etc... I look to you to make that clear in the budgeting <br /> and funding process. <br /> Not only will this ensure that our children have adequate facilities and good teachers, but it will <br /> also facilitate a more transparent discussion between parents and school leaders about how <br /> remaining monies are being spent and what school needs are. <br /> Capital Expenditures <br /> Question: What is included in the $150,000,000 in capital expenditures for schools in years 6 — <br /> 10? <br /> Question: Is there a section in the budget which projects increased operating and maintenance <br /> costs associated with new facilities over the next five to ten years? <br /> Request: Create a facilities plan and timeline which combines school and other community <br /> needs so that <br /> - - Decisions related to the county's debt capacity are transparent <br /> - - Spending reflects priorities and needs first <br /> - - Taxpayers are not blindsided with tax increases to operate and maintain these facilities <br /> Until our county begins to see the benefits of economic development, costs of new facilities <br /> (schools, community centers, improvements to the Southern Human Services center, a new jail, <br /> libraries, parks) will have to come from taxpayers. It is important that the community understand <br /> these decisions in terms of priorities and trade-offs. It's also important, particularly in the case <br /> of the schools, that we begin to understand the cost to all of us when we use "equity" rather <br /> than "need" as a reason for capital spending. <br /> Solid Waste: <br /> Pending creation of a cohesive plan for recycling, please do not approve purchase of roll carts <br /> or additional trucks for unincorporated residential service. <br /> Thank you for your consideration. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Jeanne Brown <br /> Chapel Hill <br /> 919-475-1535 <br /> From: Alexis Rudolph <br /> Phone Number: 919-428-3160 <br /> Message: <br /> To All of the County Commissioners, <br /> Thank you for your service to our communities. As a lifetime resident of Orange County, I have <br /> always appreciated the fact that our community makes great effort to support each other <br /> regardless of stature, race, sex, economic standing, etc. One of the pillars of that ethos is the <br /> longstanding, well recorded, exemplary school systems. <br /> As a resident and product of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro school system myself, as well as a parent <br /> of 5th graders currently at Glenwood Elementary school, I can say with great confidence that <br />