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A RESOLUTION SEEIQNG SUPPORT FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA 20
<br />GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR ESTABLISHING ADEQUATE AND RELIABLE
<br />FUNDING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE TRIANGLE AND THROIJGHOUT
<br />THE STATE
<br />WHEREAS, Durham, Orange and Wake Counties, along with their respective school
<br />districts, Durham Public Schools, Orazrge County Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, and
<br />Wake Cowrty Public School System, firmly believe that every child within the Triargle should have
<br />equal access to a sound quality public education in a safe leazning enviromnent; and,
<br />WHEREAS, the responsibility of providing these educational opportunities is shared between
<br />the State of North Carolina, our counties, and our local school districts rwder the guidance of North
<br />Carolina's constitution; and,
<br />WHEREAS, while overall state educational funding has increased largely to meet student
<br />population growth, class-size reduction in elementary gades and personnel salary and benefit
<br />increases, state budgeting of public schools as a percentage of the state general fund has however
<br />trended downward, resulting in reduced resources for schools without similaz~ reductions in mandated
<br />program responsibilities; and,
<br />WHEREAS, elementary class-size reductions result in arr unfunded mandate that does not
<br />allow for adequate capital plarming and imposes a burden on counties to fiord additional school
<br />facilities; and,
<br />WI3EREAS, parallel budget cuts affecting public schools have resulted in required state
<br />discretionary reductions, declining teacher assistant allotments, decreased school transportation
<br />operating funds, inadequate instructional tec}urology support, withheld capital needs eosowces; and,
<br />WHEREAS, stagnant funding for public schools has resulted irr too few teacher allotments,
<br />inadequate staffing allotments, lagging non-instructional support positions, insufficient textbook
<br />allocatimrs, deficient instructional supplies, limited funds for children with special needs, etc.; and,
<br />WI3EREAS, these fwrding deficiencies create a greater reliance on local funding, thereby
<br />exacerbating inequities in educational opportunities across the state; and,
<br />WHEREAS, in light of this trend the Zriangle's county governments and school dishicts seek
<br />support from the North Carolina General Assembly to reverse this course and establish adequate and
<br />reliable funding of public schools;
<br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Dwham, Orange and Wake Counties, along
<br />with the Durham Public Schools, Orange County Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, and
<br />Watce County Public School System, call upon the North Carolina General Assembly to reverse the
<br />ongoing bend of insufficient operational and capital funding For public schools..
<br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly establish adequate and reliable
<br />funding ofpublic schools in North Caolina that matches needs, resources and mandates,
<br />BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that tlils resolution be executed by the respective counties
<br />and public school systems in the Triangle and that this document be presented to our legislative
<br />delegations, along with appropriate state officials wlro have responsibilities for public schools -
<br />including Governor Easley, the Chair of the Slate Board of Education, and the State Superintendent
<br />of Public Instmctimt
<br />Adopted azrd Approved this the 30'" day of November 2004.
<br />Chair, Durham County Board of Commissioners
<br />arr, Oran ^ Bo d of Corrunissioners
<br />_ /I" _.._
<br />Chair, Wake o y Board of Commissioners
<br />Chair urham Public Schools
<br />Ch , Ch_p'el/Hill-Carrbopro City Schools
<br />Chan, Orange Coui< Schools
<br />Chair, Wake Cot rty is School System
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