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on the capital side "are tremendous." The County is either going to pay for the needed <br />expanded school capacity -another seven million dollars for the next elementary school, <br />for example - or, under SAPFO, developers are not going to be allowed to build until the <br />school is available. Mr. Link said that he was not taking a stance on the two-cent <br />proposal, but he urged the group to note that under the proposal those who live in the <br />OCS are going to pay a lot more in taxes. "It's simple math and there is no way around <br />it," he said. <br />Dr. Kelley said that group members were "pretty close on the major points:' Impact fees <br />need to be reviewed, and it is good that the Commissioners are doing that, he said. The <br />real estate transfer tax is a great idea. And it really comes down to selling the community <br />on raising the ad valorem tax. My impression is that the majority of the people in the city <br />district support fully funding the city schools, he said. To the extent that raising ad <br />valorem tax will over-fund the city district, we could reduce the district tax. <br />There is an almost proportionality of the tax base and students across the two districts, <br />Dr. Kelley added. The situation is not equal, and I now understand why a district tax in <br />the County would not be a good solution, he said. <br />Ms. Bedford noted that a nine cent increase in the ad valorem tax can be sold by <br />explaining that the state board of education has passed new rules regarding testing. Kids <br />who do not pass end of year exams will not graduate. And the economy has changed: <br />There are no jobs for kids without a diploma. With our current funding -even as we <br />move funds to address the needs of minority students, students taking English as a <br />Second Language, and special ed. students - we need more dollars. Although we aze <br />closing the performance gap at the elementary level, and each district has different needs, <br />we still have a lot of work to do at the middle and high school levels that requires time <br />and funding. Education is the key, she said, for farmers' children and for the children <br />living within the city district. I don't think its fair that military service is the only option <br />for people who want a ticket out of poverty. We need education, and I don't think it will <br />be hard to sell the increase. <br />Dr. Hamilton agreed that it would not be hard to sell an increase in the ad valorem tax. <br />City district residents value education, she said. We can meet both school districts' needs <br />this way, without having to eliminate the district tax. <br />Next 1Vleeting <br />Mr. Copeland asked Commissioners Foushee and Gordon if they were getting what they <br />needed from today's discussions, and if a second work group meeting were needed. <br />Commissioner Foushee~ said that the next round of discussions should focus on solutions, <br />and not be bogged down by the different positions across the two school districts with <br />respect to the district tax. She is also curious to know what each district thinks about the <br />Manager's proposal for funcling lazge ticket operational items outside of the per pupil <br />funding stream. <br />11 <br />