Agenda - 12-11-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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SUSANNE KEY, Chapel Hill School System, stated that the other speakers have covered her thoughts. She represents the segment which is supportive of the upper level of the 66 million dollar package. She sees the need for the expansion now. The high school is at capacity and the increase in enrollment will mean things will not get better. SHANNON PACE, copresident of the Chapel Hill - Carrboro Federation of Teachers, a member of the School Bond Committee and teacher at Estes Hills stated that there is overcrowding and many schools need roofs. Chapel Hill will grow by an average of 300 students a year and orange County by an average of 140 students a year. She stated that many teachers have no classrooms. She encouraged the Board of County Commissioners to support a bond to educate the students into the 21st century. The Federation supports the bond and will work for its passage. SARAH STEWART, reading resource teacher in the Chapel Hill Schools since 1978, stated she has only had adequate work space for one year. The schools have problems including inadequate space for teachers, roofs that need repair, etc. She urged the Board of County Commissioners to put the 66 million dollar bond before the people in May and begin the process to build new schools. She does not want to educate children in a trailer park or have a high school with 2200 students. She feels this is an opportunity to provide space designed to meet the needs of educating the students. She asked the Board of County Commissioners to support education. EILEEN MILLER, Principal of Estes Hills School, spoke on behalf of the parents and students. She stated that this projected growth indicates that three new schools are needed and should be placed where they are needed. Estes Hill's capacity is 500. Their current enrollment is 537. The schools in Chapel Hill are bursting at their seams. Their schools are antiquated with small classrooms. They lack space for creative movement. They have no space for a school nurse. They have inadequate lighting. Based on projections, it is anticipated that they will need one additional teacher but have no place for this teacher. Their current classroom space does not have updated computer equipment. The Estes Hill's community asked that the Board of County Commissioners consider a 66 million dollar bond package. TED PARRISH, Chapel Hill - Carrboro Board member, shared some assumptions. He stated that children are the County's greatest resource; the County values education and wants to maintain their educational edge. Because most of the taxpayers place a high priority on education, he feels the bond issue will pass. He believes the 66 million dollar bond will help the two districts meet their educational needs. Children deserve better and more must be done. He feels they should address merger. A new high school is needed by Chapel Hill - Carrboro. He asked that the Board of County Commissioners keep children as their main focus. RUTH ROYSTER, Chapel Hill- Carrboro School Board member, noted she was surprised by the number of classrooms in mobile trailers. Already