Agenda - 06-17-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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of attracting the best, the brightest and the most dedicated teachers3to the system. 13. SARA STEWART recognized those in the audience who attended in support of the two school budgets. She noted that many employees have spoken about the need for livable salaries. Many citizens have spoken about the value of education and their desire to pay better salaries to school employees. She expressed concern about several aspects of the budget process stating that suggested priorities are acceptable but that specific proposals are not. She spoke about the career ladder that Orange County has and will have the per pupil allocation to advance programs. Chapel Hill has only the per pupil allocation and will have to choose between employees and programs. She asked that Chapel Hill be allowed to use their district tax for teacher supplements. The issue of the district tax should be dealt with outside of the budget process. She asked that the Commissioners consider whom they represent and what they are saying before making the final school budget decisions. 14. DR. EDGARTON , past president of the Mental Health Association, spoke on behalf of the Association stating that the Mental Health Association supports the request for the funding of the Crisis Emergency Services Unit. There are 400 persons in Orange County with chronic mental illness who need these crisis services repeatedly. Nationally, 70% of all admissions for inpatient services are repeat admissions. They frequently need only a very short stay or support without hospitalization in order to continue to function in a job or in a community. Without it they may end up on the street, in a nursing home or as excessive burdens to their families. The families of these persons deserve this kind of program to enable them to cope. He stated that other counties have this type of program. It will save money in the long run and is the right thing to do. 15. JANET COLM , Executive Director of Planned Parenthood, stated that an increase in funding has been requested for their educational program. She emphasized that these are real kids who need to build on a positive experience. She asked that full funding be granted. 16. ELEANOR SCANDLIN asked the Board to listen to the teachers. As a senior citizen she values education as one of the most important possessions. She stated that everyone is willing to put their taxes toward the education for the children. 17. JULIE LINEHAN , Rape Crisis Center, informed the Board that the North Carolina Status for Women has decreased their level of funding from $20, 000 to $8, 000. She distributed a revised budget to the members of the Board. She reiterated about the growth the Center is experiencing with their outreach program in reaching the citizens in the County. She stressed that the Center would like to be able to sustain the services they offer at the present time. 18. HOWARD FRIED talked to the Board as fellow democrats. He asked that the Board fund both school systems at whatever level it takes. 19. LARRY WAKEFORD stated that the real issue is the serious inequity of teacher salaries versus those of other professionals in the area. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board is attempting to address this inequity with a revised supplement schedule to be funded by an increase in the district tax. This district tax was initiated by the citizens to upgrade the quality of education. He asked that the Board approve the increase in the district tax.