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5 <br /> 1 Improvement Teams, tireless and devoted Principals and staff in my grandson's previous <br /> 2 Elementary and Middle School. And I have lobbied to support our public schools. CHHS `s <br /> 3 Principal has turned her school upside down: accommodated the largest EC, ESL at risk, <br /> 4 economically disadvantaged, free and reduced lunch population among the 3 District high schools; <br /> 5 reorganized her teaching staff, introduced important equity and critical race theory teacher training <br /> 6 and professional development; recognized and invited innovative teaching and curriculum <br /> 7 initiatives; introduced alternative discipline and restorative practice models; and revised and <br /> 8 restructured academic schedules, and instituted a Black Male Academy to rescue young people <br /> 9 who struggle to find pride in themselves, have faced school failure, feel unwelcome and are at risk <br /> 10 of dropping out. BUT THIS PRINCIPAL NEEDS RESOURCES TO CONTINUE TO BUILD AND <br /> 11 LEAD A SCHOOL THAT WORKS. The schools and community budget you adopt are filled with <br /> 12 such stories. <br /> 13 Marywinne Sherwood is here on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club of Durham and Orange <br /> 14 Counties, and she thanked the Board of County Commissioners for its past support and continued <br /> 15 support going forward. <br /> 16 James Stroud said he is the Executive Director at the Center for Home Ownership and <br /> 17 Economic Development, and is here on behalf of the Affordable Housing Coalition. He thanked <br /> 18 the Board for its support, and emphasized the need for affordable housing inventory. <br /> 19 Sue Florence said she is here on behalf of the Cedar Grove Community Center, and she <br /> 20 thanked the Board for their great support of this center. She said they serve a variety of groups, <br /> 21 and are proposing to collaborate with Kidzu so that Orange County kids can participate in the <br /> 22 STEM/STEAM programming. <br /> 23 Maggie Holly is an educator in the Orange County Schools (OCS). She thanked the Board <br /> 24 for its funding support last year, and asked the Board to think of the educators in the 2017-18 <br /> 25 budget process. <br /> 26 Tana Hartman Thorn is a member of the Department on Aging's Project EnGAGE. She <br /> 27 said many of the seniors they serve have great transportation needs, and she asked the Board to <br /> 28 support these needs. She also thanked the Board for its support of WCOM. <br /> 29 Dr. Pam Baldwin, CHCCS Superintendent, said she appreciated the Board's support for all <br /> 30 schools, and asked the Board to fully fund the school's budget request. She emphasized the <br /> 31 desire of the school systems to be great partners with each other and with the County. <br /> 32 Commissioner Jacobs asked if Bonnie Hammersley would speak about what transportation <br /> 33 department is doing to increase ridership in the rural areas. <br /> 34 Bonnie Hammersley said grant funding has been received for a position focused on <br /> 35 mobility coordination, to help those who need transportation. She said more bus drivers are <br /> 36 needed, and staff is looking at other modes of transportation for seniors, and those who are <br /> 37 disabled. <br /> 38 Commissioner McKee asked if ride sharing apps (Uber, Lift, etc.) are being considered as <br /> 39 well. <br /> 40 Bonnie Hammersley said yes. <br /> 41 <br /> 42 4. Adjournment <br /> 43 <br /> 44 The public hearing was adjourned at 7:54 p.m. <br /> 45 <br /> 46 Penny Rich, Vice Chair <br /> 47 <br /> 48 Donna Baker <br /> 49 Clerk to the Board <br /> 50 <br />