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about how to preserve the high educational caliber of our district, even if this means cutting <br /> other programs and/or raising taxes. I strongly support whatever it takes to keep the full school <br /> budget intact. <br /> Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Michael Kappelman <br /> From: Anna Ouchchy <br /> Phone Number: 919-928-3727 <br /> Message: <br /> As a community member, parent and teacher in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, I urge <br /> you to find creative means to fully fund our school budget. In the past we have been able to <br /> make up for budget shortfalls by using a rainy day fund. That fund balance is now gone. As a <br /> result, failure to fully fund our schools will have serious consequences, including larger class <br /> sizes, school overcrowding, cutting support staff and driving out quality teachers. <br /> Our property values are high in Orange County because we have great schools. Our property <br /> taxes drive the county's budget and services. Keeping school's great is in the financial interest <br /> of the community. <br /> Dear Orange County Commissioners: <br /> My name is David Nason. I am writing to ask you to please fully fund the Orange County <br /> and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools budgets. Here's why: <br /> 1. Education drives economic growth. <br /> Our family moved to North Carolina last year. We love our new home state. <br /> Unfortunately, we moved here during the height of the legislative agenda that severely <br /> cut education. My wife and I have two children in public high school. We chose to live in <br /> Chapel Hill / Carrboro because of the reputation of the schools in the district. Education <br /> should be a priority in our state over corporate interests. We must keep our students <br /> competitive in today's globalized economy. <br /> 2. Our kids are worth it. <br /> We have two children in public high school. Their future, and the future of all our children <br /> in Orange County, depends on getting a good education. The rainy day fund is gone. <br /> There is no more "fat" to trim from the budget. If you do not fully fund the schools' <br /> budgets, our children will be in overcrowded, poorly maintained schools, with fewer <br /> teachers. Those teachers will have more responsibilities with less support from TAs, <br /> gifted specialists, and other staff. <br /> 3. Our property values —and thus our tax revenue—depend on it. <br /> As I said before, we moved here for the schools—and we were willing to pay the higher <br /> cost of housing to live here. Most of our neighbors did the same. Strong schools keep <br /> our property values high —thus funding the county's budget and services. <br /> We hear a lot about "family values" from our elected representatives. We believe that if <br /> you really value our families you will fund a strong education system for our children. <br /> Education is the great equalizer; both my wife and I came from working class <br /> backgrounds and attended public school. We were able to achieve our goals and obtain <br /> advanced degrees. We would like our children to have the very best education possible <br /> to prepare them for the challenges they will meet in this complex world. <br />