Agenda - 06-17-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 20. DR. BILL HOLLISTER , teacher of mental health programming at the University, appealed to the Board to replace the funds that were dropped out for the emergency services that he feels are so critical to this community. Because of the increased growth in the community, the Mental Health Center does not have the staff or facilities to handle the increased load and responsibilities. The Center has been dependent upon Memorial Hospital to provide these services. However, the load on that clinic is high and there is a deficit in funds. He asked that the Board reconsider seriously the cut that was made. 21. WILMA WILLHOIT spoke in support of the request for the Crisis Emergency Service. She stated there is a service needed midway on the continuum between the clinic visit and the emergency room visit where a person in crisis can be talked down, supervised and taken care of. This new program will not only take care of those chronically mentally ill but also will help those with acute problems. She stated that it would be cost effective because first line caregivers will be nurses. A community is known by what they do for those who cannot care for themselves. 22 . JUDY JONES , high school teacher, parent, volunteer and citizen of Chapel Hill-Carrboro. She made comments about the issue of equity. Equity for the two school systems does not mean that everything has to be equal. The ideal of equal opportunity to choose or to pursue goals is the foundation of this nation. School districts serve different communities with different priority lists. It is a requirement of governing bodies to insure that every school district meet basic standards for a good education. Beyond that, the communities themselves should have the right to individualize. The citizens of Chapel Hill-Carrboro have clearly indi- cated their support of the budget approved by their school board and the people have indicated, by signing a recent petition, their willingness to tax themselves to pay for this budget. Seventeen cents per $100 valuation is needed from the district tax. She asked that the Board respect the wishes of the community and not hesitate to fund the budget in full. 23 . DR. JANOWSKY , made brief comments about the need for the crisis center as proposed by OPC. The center will offer an alternative to those who normally come to the hospital. The chronically mental ill in a crisis situation could be served at this center. The people will be trained to handle the situation. 24. MARY ELLEN PRIESLEY , retired professor of English and literature, indicated she knows of no tax she would rather pay than that for education. She stated that education cannot stand still if the young people are to be prepared to make a living and learn how to live. The schools need the very best teachers who are also the very best people. Necessary backup people and equipment are needed. She spoke in support of the increase in teacher salaries and the funding of the expansion budget. 25. DAN HOOKER asked that the Commissioners not try to make Chapel Hill-Carrboro accept less for the sake of equity but to try to upgrade education in general. He stated his willingness to pay additional taxes so that both school systems are funded as they have requested. 26. ROSEMARY PLADNA spoke on behalf of the troubled preschooler. She described the problem she had in finding a daycare for her son who was later diagnosed as being hyperactive. Children who have emotional problems need to be reached before they enter kindergarten or they will be lost in the system.