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3. Our property values and thus our tax revenues depend on it. <br /> We bought a home in Chapel Hill for the schools and we were willing to pay the higher cost of <br /> housing to live here. Most of our neighbors did the same. Strong schools keep our property <br /> values high. We are counting on you to fully fund the Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro <br /> City Schools budget. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Stephanie Palmer <br /> 305 Autumn Drive <br /> Chapel Hill, NC 27516 <br /> From: D. Neil Hayes <br /> Phone Number: 919-357-3387 <br /> Message: <br /> Dear Orange County Commissioners, <br /> We are parents of 2 children in Glenwood Elementary School in Chapel Hill and a daughter who <br /> will be there soon. We share the interest of millions of parents in the state of North Carolina in <br /> the quality education of our children, the future citizens of our democracy. <br /> In our lifetime, my wife and I have never seen such tangible and direct negative consequences <br /> of human decisions as we have in the public schools as a direct result of our political leaders in <br /> North Carolina State Government. Morale is palpably low. Infrastructure and resources are <br /> lacking even to the casual observer. These changes have happened quickly and as a visible <br /> result of decisions made by our lawmakers. <br /> Let's be clear, this is not business as usual; fiscal discipline resulting from responsible <br /> leadership balancing competing interests or programs. To my knowledge, there are few arguing <br /> any benefits for education. Data driven outcomes and changes in metrics (teacher losses, pay <br /> statistics, etc) have generally been described as extreme, even compared to fiscally <br /> conservative national trends. In most cases, the timing of declines leaves little uncertainty as to <br /> cause being decisions in Raleigh. <br /> Let's also be clear that these outcomes are not primarily the result of the economic downturn. <br /> The resources that historically supported our kids and which in other states are supporting kids <br /> did not primarily evaporate in the recession. These resources were returned to citizens in the <br /> form of tax cuts which artificially and dramatically exacerbated any shortfalls created by <br /> economic factors. As recipients of an NC State Tax refund this year, we have a check in our <br /> bank account which cannot be argued is the result of an economic downturn. It is the result of <br /> decisions by the state legislature to withdraw support for our children's school specifically at a <br /> time when they arguably needed it more than in generation. <br /> In all of this we recognize the phenomenal support, both historic and current, of the Orange <br /> County Board of Commissioners for Orange County schools. You are being asked again to <br /> support our children. But what other choice is there but for us to ask? Unlike our teachers, the <br /> children cannot pack up and go to a state with better support for education. Please stand firm <br /> for education. You are truly a last line of defense for the education of our future citizens of the <br /> state. <br /> Thanks for your service on behalf of the citizens of North Carolina. <br /> Neil and Liza Hayes <br /> From: Brandy Pickrell <br /> Phone Number: 919-869-7924 <br /> Message: <br /> Dear County Commissioners, <br /> I am writing to request that you please fully fund the School Board's proposed budget this year. <br /> I am a parent of a rising third grader in the Orange County school system and am very <br /> concerned about the changes our schools will have to enact if they do not receive the necessary <br />