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5 <br /> 1 forth this resolution. She said the BOCC could serve as a leading example across the State for <br /> 2 the General Assembly (GA) to fully fund education. She said the State needs to increase per <br /> 3 pupil funding. She said one of her greatest concerns is that charter schools are vying for the <br /> 4 same funding as public schools. She said better funding has a direct effect on the students, <br /> 5 teachers, and the community. She said local government simply cannot continue to underwrite <br /> 6 what the State is failing to do for the children. She thanked the BOCC for taking a stand. <br /> 7 Evan Diamon said he and his wife moved to the area from another state, and noted the <br /> 8 many benefits of life in North Carolina. He said the educational system is losing hope, and <br /> 9 funds are being cut by the State, which causes the loss of teachers, and creates larger class <br /> 10 sizes. <br /> 11 Lisa Kaylie said she is thankful to live in a county that values education, and she asked <br /> 12 the Board to fully fund the budget requests of Orange County Schools (OCS) and Chapel Hill- <br /> 13 Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS). She said the level of state funding for teachers is something <br /> 14 for which the County needs to continue to petition. She said Wake County has raised salaries <br /> 15 for its teachers, and Orange County needs to do the same. She said the BOCC has the choice <br /> 16 to stand up to the State. She said the second issue is to approve this resolution for fully <br /> 17 funding the North Carolina public schools by the State. She said Orange County is fortunate in <br /> 18 that it can support local schools when the State fails, but there are many counties that have <br /> 19 fewer resources and are not able to do so. She said the per pupil spending must be increased <br /> 20 by the State. <br /> 21 Cyrus Rainey said he has been attending OCS since kindergarten, and he is now a <br /> 22 senior. He said he fully supports the resolution. He said he has seen the impacts of lack of full <br /> 23 funding by the State, especially in seeing teachers leaving their positions. He said education <br /> 24 holds the key to the future and must be the first priority. <br /> 25 Commissioner Rich thanked everyone who encouraged her to present this resolution. <br /> 26 She said Commissioner Price also received many calls. She said the schools have not been <br /> 27 fully funded since 2008, and the GA is not doing its job in supporting schools. She said Orange <br /> 28 County values education, and the clerk will send the resolution to all the clerks throughout the <br /> 29 State in hopes of a united front being presented to the GA. <br /> 30 Commissioner Price thanked all of the residents who spoke and have taken a part in this <br /> 31 conversation about fully funding the schools. <br /> 32 <br /> 33 PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> 34 Rosemary Dean said she is a teacher in OCS and has also worked with the Family <br /> 35 Success Alliance. She said she struggles with teacher pay and the stress and workload <br /> 36 involved in being a teacher. She asked the BOCC to fully fund both districts' budget requests. <br /> 37 <br /> 38 Commissioner Burroughs read the resolution: <br /> 39 <br /> 40 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> 41 RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO FULLY FUND <br /> 42 NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOLS <br /> 43 <br /> 44 Whereas, the North Carolina Constitution includes an obligation to provide a sound, basic <br /> 45 education to all school aged children in our state, acknowledging that talent and ingenuity can <br /> 46 be found among all our children; and <br /> 47 <br /> 48 Whereas, public education is the cornerstone for our democracy and economic future; and <br /> 49 <br />