Agenda - 12-11-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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classrooms designated for music, science and art are becoming regular classrooms. She sees more mobile trailers in the future unless there is a bond referendum. For almost twenty years there have been no new schools built in Chapel Hill. She made reference to the growth of 300 students a year. The high school is serving more than 1600 students. The cafeteria is crowded and there is not adequate space for the school buses. She feels it is necessary to build new schools to meet the educational needs of the children for several decades. They need science labs, space for the teachers, etc. She stated she does not look forward to higher taxes. However, she feels that there is a responsibility to house and educate children. She asked that the Board of County Commissioners get behind a bond referendum and pass it. CAROL CANTRELL, music teacher at Carrboro Elementary, stated that they have moved students with redistricting and still only have one vacant classroom. Never in 38 years have the schools ever measured up to the needs demanded of them. She spoke of many needs and emphasized that these needs are real. She made reference to Money Magazine and an editorial on how to save the schools. She believes that the citizens will support a bond referendum. CHARLES FOSKEY, former member of the Chapel Hill- Carrboro School Board, read a prepared statement which is in the Permanent Agenda File in the Clerk's Office. In summary, he supports the bond referendum. He asked that the Board of County Commissioners go for the May referendum date. He emphasized that equality of facilities must be the goal, not equality of construction spending. He believes the projections are real and the students are coming. Not facing up to the problem now will force Chapel Hill -- Carrboro and probably Orange County as well, to spend heavily on expensive mobile classrooms which do not provide satisfactory classroom space during their relatively short life span. He stated that the modest tax increase required by this proposed bond is a much needed investment in the County's future and is mandatory if the schools are to continue the momentum for progressive education which the county has achieved in recent years. KAY SINGER, Orange County School Board Member, made several specific points. She is in favor of a school construction bond to support both systems in Orange County. She feels that in these current economic times that 66 million dollars is too high. She will not work for or support a bond issue that is not fair. This bond issue will not address the projected needs of Orange County Schools. The Board of County Commissioners has supported equity funding and although everyone supports some form of equity funding, Chapel Hill- Carrboro has indicated they are not for it if it decreases their funding. The money is not different because each penny that comes from a citizen for a bond is a penny that is not available for equal funding. She explained that even though Chapel Hill has two - thirds of the tax base, that most of those living in the Orange County system add significantly to the tax base in Chapel Hill. She questioned the definition of need. She feels there should be adequate facilities but that there must be money to support the teachers and programs. R.D. SMITH, former teacher /administrator in the Chapel Hill-