Agenda - 07-05-1988 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. • 2 referendum which has been discussed by the Board would include. The total of the proposed bond issue would be thirty million with twenty-one million for schools, eight million for public buildings and one million for water facilities. Citizens, Comments on the Proposed Bond Issue CAROLYN HORN as a representative of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School District spoke in support of the bond referendum package as submitted by the County Commissioners for citizen comment. In particular she supported the 21 million for schools. She described the overcrowded conditions at the elementary schools and emphasized that in order for the middle school plan to be put into operation the High School must be enlarged to receive the ninth grade and the junior highs renovated to receive the sixth grade. SUE BAKER spoke as a member of the Chapel Hill-CarrboraBoard of Education and as a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee that studied the proposed bond issue. She stated that the proposed thirty million dollar bond certainly follows the recommendations of the Committee up to a point. The schools' total proposed building program and land acquisition for a reservoir were a must for the bond. The other items in priority order were (1) the Tax and Records Building, (2) the 911 Enhance System, (3) the Southern Human Services Complex (4) Parks and Recreation and etc. She emphasized that the opinions from those who served on the Citizens Advisory Committee should hold more weight than those received through the telephone survey. She asked that before the Board makes its final decision the recommendations from the Citizens Committee be reviewed. She would prefer returning the three million dollar pool money to the schools capital improvement needs. While the current proposal will help meet the growing needs of the schools, it will not allow expansion of the elementary schools as fast as the population dictates. She asked that the pools be given a high priority for pay-as-you-go funding. She expressed interest in knowing how the County would fund those items that are not included in the bond referendum. NEAL LITTMAN expressed support for all portions of the thirty million dollar bond issue. A copy of his complete statement is attached to these minutes in the minute book on pages KEITH COLEMAN spoke in support of the bond issue and in particular for school facilities. He noted that there is a need for renovations to Cameron Park and Central Elementary and for a new elementary school. He stated that this is an opportunity to get the funds to get the school systems up to date. KATHERINE EVERSON spoke on behalf of the Chapel Hill-Cazrboro Federation of Teachers. She stated that the bond referendum as proposed is inadequate. It falls one-third short, or roughly nine million dollars, of the budgetary requests. It means that the necessary renovations at the elementary schools may not be able to be carried out, as well as, jeopardizes classroom construction at the high school. She stated that the Basic Education Program calls for reduction in class size and asked where those students would be placed and where those students would go who are the result of population growth. She asked what will happen in a few years when other renovations or new classrooms will be needed and there are no funds. She emphasized that the public will support sufficient funds for what is needed for new classrooms and renovations now. LUAN SMYTH stated that the Basic Education Act does not mandate belt • •