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