Minutes 05-11-2021 Virtual Budget Public Hearing and Work Session

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12 BOCC to make funding education a priority. She said the Commissioners expressed concern on how funding has been spent in the past, and the district has added additional layers of fiscal oversight, tied to student outcomes. She said CHCCS presented a thoughtful budget, and the continuation budget will provide the basic needs. She said the district is doing intentional work to close the achievement gap, and provide social and emotional support. She said these needs existed prior to the pandemic, and are even more highlighted now. She said when the County invests in education others reap the benefits. She urged the BOCC to fully fund the budget request. Brian Link said he is president-elect of the Chapel Hill Carrboro Board of Educators. He said 2021 is not 2009, and does not warrant keeping per pupil funding flat. He said Wake County is proposing $23 million in additional funding. He said the Commissions have a rhetoric gap, having campaigned on promises of increased school funding, but having failed to raise the special district tax since 2014. He said the BOCC promotes a living wage to all employees, but the Board is offering zero future dollars. He said OCS and CHCCS have done their part, and the County needs to step up. He said he stands in solidarity with Northside residents who are facing huge property tax increases, and wants to see the County assess more fairly and equitably. He said the Board often says it assigns funding, but does not tell the schools how to spend it. He said this year the County is proposing to assign zero funding. He said zero is a number CHCCS expects to hear from Raleigh, not Orange County. Finley Lewis said he is a 5t" grader from Northside Elementary, and he read a letter from himself and fellow students opposing tax raises on neighbors. He said this decision is unfair, and is pushing people out of their homes. He said this is gentrification, and will result in the tearing down of older houses. He said these residents are like family who visit the school, read to students, share stories of the neighborhood, and fought for schools to be integrated. Adelaide Zahren thanked the BOCC for its service. She said she lives in Carrboro, and works as a teacher at Sewell Elementary. She said she devoted hours to complete Project Advance. She said teachers are committed to being lifelong learners, in order to meet the needs of students. She said teachers rely on the commitment of the BOCC to education. She said teachers must be treated as professionals, and compensated for their work. She urged the BOCC to raise the district tax to fully fund Project Advance. Alyssa Gillikin said she is a middle school teacher with CHCCS. She thanked the BOCC for its dedicated service. She said the County has a duty to aid and provide quality staff. She said the current allocation would result in cuts to vital services. She said the district is required to provide summer school, with no additional funding from the State or the County. She said the County has $28 million from ARPA, and urged the BOCC not to spend this money on debt service, but rather use it to retain excellent teachers. She said these funds must be used for programs and people, and urged the BOCC to do right by its constituents. A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to close the public hearing. Roll call ensued VOTE: UNANIMOUS Commissioner McKee asked if the number of schools employees not making $15/hour could be provided. He said he would also like to know the exact amount of the CHCCS fund balance, and if any of it is already allocated. Bonnie Hammersley said she would bring this information to the May 13 work session.