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Yasmine White is the CEO of Voices Together, a non-profit which offers a specialized <br /> music therapy program in the school districts for autistic children. She thanked the Board for <br /> their interest and support. She asked if the Board would help bring the program up to two <br /> school rooms. <br /> Karen Kincaid Dunn, from Club Nova, thanked the Board for their continued support. <br /> She said Club Nova is a clubhouse for seriously mental ill adults. She said some funding has <br /> been lost over the past few years. She encouraged the Board to continue their support for Club <br /> Nova. <br /> Kristin Linton said she is the Executive Director of the Art Therapy Institute for therapy <br /> purposes for all ages. She said she is seeking additional funding for the Burma Art Therapy <br /> Project in the school systems. She said her program has served about 400 students and adults <br /> this past year. <br /> John Mitterling said he is on staff with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle. He <br /> said the program has served over 900 children regionally, with 200 from Orange County. He <br /> said the program pairs students with thoroughly vetted mentors. He expressed gratitude for the <br /> Board's support and requested $2000 for this year. He said the children served by the program <br /> are from single parent or low income homes. <br /> Robert Dowling said he is the Executive Director of the Community Home Trust and he <br /> thanked the Board for all they do for the residents in Orange County. He said there are <br /> currently 235 homes in the Home Trust program and their inclusionary program is a model <br /> throughout the State and the Country. He acknowledged the role that all of the elected officials <br /> play in Orange County. He supported the proposed position in the Housing Department. <br /> Bridget Mora said she is a parent of a first grader at Seawell Elementary School, and <br /> she asked the Board to fully fund the CHCCS request of$302 per pupil. <br /> Sherri Carmichael said she is speaking on behalf of the Smith Middle School, School <br /> Improvement Team, and is also here to ask the Board for full funding for the CHCCS. She <br /> reviewed the history of excellence within the CHCCS. <br /> Gary Wallach said he is here to speak about fully funding the CHCCS. He thanked the <br /> Board for their past and continued support of the schools. He hoped they would fully fund the <br /> request, and if not, an amount closer to the full request than $81 per pupil. <br /> Jean Bolduc said she is here tonight on behalf of the Housing Authority. She noted that <br /> the Board voted in April to restrict the bond referendum proceeds to schools only. She said the <br /> Housing Authority Board passed a resolution of support for the Board to re-consider the <br /> decision to include affordable housing investments. She said her Board has a deep <br /> appreciation for the recommended budget. <br /> James Barrett is a CHCCS Board member. He said there are State mandates providing <br /> a raise for teachers, retirement matches and health insurance costs. He said the proposed $81 <br /> raise per pupil will be $70 shy of the amount necessary to allow the Schools to maintain status <br /> quo; and does not account for the State mandates. He said meeting those requirements will <br /> leave an $800,000 deficit for the schools. He highlighted some other priorities including <br /> providing a living wage for all classified staff, funds to allow teachers to fully lesson plan and <br /> providing instructional time for middle school students during periods of detention. <br /> Matt Kauffman said he is representing the Community Empowerment Fund (CEF), and <br /> expressed sincere gratitude for the Board's support of$5000 in the past 2 years. He asked if <br /> the Board would consider increasing the funding to $7500 this year. He said the organization <br /> has just opened an integrated service center in downtown Chapel Hill. He said this center will <br /> co-locate a variety of services with partner organizations. He reviewed a variety of statistics <br /> showing gains within the homeless community including financial progress, housing progress <br /> and mentoring partnerships. <br /> Adam Zanation said he is here to ask for full funding for the CHCCS. He said there are <br /> excellent public schools in Chapel Hill. He recently moved into the District, taking his own <br />