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51 <br /> Superintendent Carraway said that as students continue to participate, they are going to <br /> be the best advertisement for this program. There will buthree students graduating from this <br /> program in May. <br /> Commissioner Nelson asked the OCS about the proposed merger of Hillsborough <br /> Elementary and Central Elementary. Hehas been getting enmai|ofrom citizens who are <br /> concerned about this. <br /> Dennis Whitling said that there was a mini-session in February and then it was <br /> discussed later at another meeting, and he appointed a three-person committee of the board to <br /> come upwith mprocess ofexploring this issue. This process was discussed mtthe last[]C8 <br /> Board meeting about aweek ago. Hesaid that they are inthe process ofscheduling ameeting <br /> (four-hour retreat)to be facilitated by Andy Sachs of the Dispute Settlement Center to discuss <br /> this process. The timeline has been discussed, but there have been nodecisions. Hesaid that <br /> all meetings would beopen tothe public. There will beapublic hearing down the line and <br /> possibly apanel discussion with some experts totalk about the socioeconomic issue. He said <br /> that the issue is that there is a year-round school of choice with 14% having free and reduced <br /> lunches versus another districted school a block away with 70% having free or reduced lunches. <br /> He said that the proposal is to have 100 students to move from Central to Hillsborough <br /> Elementary. He said that the school board is committed to exploring this. <br /> Commissioner Nelson said that this process sounds fair and open. Hesaid that there <br /> was group ofpeople that came tOthe Human Relations Commission meeting about this. <br /> There were some issues raised about race and class. <br /> Chair Carey said that A[ Hartkopf left a message that he had other commitments tonight. <br /> Chair Carey made reference to the list of bills that the school boards are asking the <br /> legislative member tosupport. Heasked both school boards towrite the legislative delegation <br /> supporting Medicaid relief and the Real Estate Transfer Tax. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that the Real Estate Transfer Tax can generate $10 million <br /> for Orange County ifapproved. He said that, having been through mmerger discussion, ha <br /> would like to commend the OCS for taking on this issue of merging two schools and for the <br /> process. <br /> Ted 7-hebe| made reference tothe letter about the bills and said that it was also sent to <br /> three 0rfour other legislative representatives. Hesuggested that joint letters bJthe legislative ( <br /> representatives (two school boards and the BOCC) would have much more"throw"weight. <br /> The boards agreed hodOajoint letter. <br /> With nofurther issues toaddress, the meeting was adjourned otB:44PM. <br /> Moses Carey, Jr.. Chair <br /> Donna G. Baker <br /> Clerk tothe Board <br />