Minutes 05-29-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Before I tell you more about them, I want to tell you about me. As a child my family lived in a government subsidized house and needed food stamps to survive. Looking around me I thought my future was pretty much set for me; go to school, maybe graduate, then either (1) get on welfare; (2) go to work in retail; (3) go to work in a factory/warehouse; or (4)join the armed forces. My only access to education was the local public school. I didn't like school; it kept me from the things that I wanted to do - play with friends, play sports, explore; and after all, what was the point. But, as I moved up through grade school and even more so in high school, I came in contact with several caring teachers who didn't just teach me the material, but challenged me, inspired me, believed in me. I was the first in my family to graduate from a college for higher education [as opposed to a trade school]. I lifted myself out of that socioeconomic circle into a contributing member of society; not only that, I started my own company and created jobs for others. I'd like you to reflect on the teacher, or teachers, that had the greatest impact on your life. Perhaps they are the reason you are sitting in that seat. What if that teacher hadn't been there, had switched jobs, moved school districts, moved to another state because they were frustrated with the lack of funding for public education. When looking at the budget request, please, I urge you to consider: - those types of teachers, - other children like me, - other children like you. Be creative. Find a way to fully fund the budget request that's in front of you. My children and their friends need your leadership. Thank you for your time, your consideration, your service to Orange County, and your commitment to making a difference. OC Board of Commissioners' Public Hearing, May 29, 2014 Written Testimony, Miriam Thompson I submit my written testimony as the world grieves over the passing of Maya Angelou, teacher, activist, artist, towering figure that demands we work harder, a phenomenon whose message informs the effort you lead and that we pursue together: creating a sustainable, just and loving community— in which all our children and grand children, families and neighbors can thrive. We know that your labors tonight are set against a disturbing State legislative agenda that includes: tax cuts directed primarily to the wealthiest corporations and individuals;**the denial of health care to our neediest residents; denies extended unemployment benefits for so many of our neighbors; creates and boasts an economy based on low wage jobs; defunds the public's education system; offers the lowest paid teachers in the nation a token raise torn from the coffers of our public university system and health and human services. The burden to redress these cuts falls on Counties and Municipalities and School Districts. Budgets, after all, are social and moral documents. Along with other faith and civil rights activists, I have and will continue to join many of you at Moral Monday and other State lobby events to expose and reverse these immoral practices. Tonight, Moral Monday comes to Orange County through the budget lens. You are challenged as our elected leaders to overcome the actions of the General Assembly and make your constituents whole. Central to the public hearing tonight will be district school voices that plead for support for the education environments upon which our children and their families depend. School