Agenda - 09-05-2023; 8-a - Minutes

Browse Search

8 1 Christine Cauwels said she also has a son who is a sophomore at Cedar Ridge and is on 2 the Hedgehogs robotics team. She said that her youngest daughter has dyslexia, and this makes 3 it harder for her to learn by just reading. She said that STEAM education allows for children to 4 learn with their hands. She said that STEAM education is great, and it teaches kids new ways to 5 learn and new ways to solve problems. She said that they are not just teaching engineering skills, 6 they are opening up a wealth of information for kids. She thanked the Board for their consideration. 7 Camille Wells said her daughter enjoys doing things with her hands and building. She said 8 she has made several cardboard robots, a dollhouse, and a wardrobe at home. She said when 9 robotics was offered at her school, they were excited for her daughter to join. She said it is 10 important to help kids continue to dream. She said they want the best for our children. She said 11 having a STEAM program at the school would help many students and parents. She asked why 12 it should be an extracurricular rather than part of the curriculum. She said River Park is ready for 13 this. 14 Zariyah Wells said she loves robotics, and it is fun and amazing. She said that she got to 15 make new friends and learn something new. She said she appreciates her amazing teacher, Mr. 16 Mitchell. 17 Yaara Cohen is part of Robo-Tigers at River Park Elementary. She said that she wants 18 to be an engineer one day. She said it would be a great opportunity to have a STEAM teacher at 19 her school. 20 Elisa Cohen said her sister is in robotics and it inspires her. She said that next year when 21 she is in third grade, she wants to join. She said that STEM can inspire others too, thanks to Mr. 22 Mitchell 23 Katie Harper spoke in favor of the Fairview Park renovations. She said they would love 24 more tennis courts at the location. She said that she would also like them to consider baseball 25 fields as well. She said she was wondering about the Efland Park and the Meridian Community 26 Foundation on the plans for baseball fields. She said she was in favor of the proposed budget for 27 both school systems. She said that she is concerned about the consolidation of privilege and the 28 consolidation of need in Orange County. She said that she does not know the answer to the 29 problem, but she hopes they can acknowledge the disparities in student demographics between 30 charter schools and public schools in Orange County. She said that the Board is taking the best 31 approach and that she appreciates the Board. 32 Quinton Harper spoke on behalf of the IFC in support of its emergency shelter program. 33 He said they need emergency shelter and emergency funds for housing. He said their unhoused 34 neighbors are depending on the Board to support the IFC as they strive to meet the basic need 35 of folks in the community. He thanked the Board for their support in the recommended budget. 36 He said that IFC provides a safe place to sleep, and this is the only shelter in Orange County. He 37 said he wants the Board to consider what the community would look like if there were not people 38 who worked to make sure everyone is housed. 39 Darin Campbell said he was there to support IFC. He said unhoused people depend on 40 shelters on a day-to-day basis for almost everything. He said that access to resources is crucial 41 for those seeking to better their life situation. He thanked the Board for their support and asked 42 the Board to continue supporting IFC. 43 Jennifer Kushner said she was there to support the recommended CIP budget for 44 affordable housing. She said she has two teenage daughters, one of whom will be a summer 45 counselor for Orange County. She said finding affordable housing has been challenging for her. 46 She said she is part of the first cohort for the Habitat for Humanity community at Weavers Grove. 47 She said it is a relief for her family. 48 Naseem Alshugar said she supported the affordable housing program. She said she is a 49 single mom with four children. She said that she lives in Chapel Hill and she works two jobs. She 50 said that she was so happy to be selected for the next Habitat for Humanity homes and that she 51 volunteers now with them. She said she is here because one of her sons moved out and she