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MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> 2024 School Bond Education Committee <br /> Thursday, July 25, 2024 <br /> The first meeting of the 2024 School Bond Education Committee was held on Thursday, <br /> July 25, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the Donna Baker Room of the Whitted Human Services <br /> Center in Hillsborough, NC. <br /> COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT. Al Ciarochi, Dr. Danielle Jones, Sarah Smylie, <br /> Jean Hamilton, Phyllis Portie-Ascott, Andrea Tanner, Jason Johnson, Samantha <br /> Earnhardt, Benjamin Alschuler <br /> COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT. Rani Dasi, Anissa McLendon, Vina Modaress, <br /> Frederick Davis <br /> COUNTYATTORNEYS PRESENT. Morgan Pierce <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: Travis Myren, Kirk Vaughn, Kristin Prelipp <br /> OCS STAFF PRESENT. Kevin Smith <br /> GUESTS: Bonnie Hauser, Terri Buckner <br /> 1. Call to Order, Co-Chairs Commissioners Jean Hamilton and Phyllis Portie-Ascott <br /> 2. Introduction of Committee Members <br /> 3. Review Bond Education Committee Charge, Co-Chairs <br /> a. Commissioner Hamilton read the Establishment, Charge, and <br /> Composition for the 2024 Bond Education. <br /> b. Sarah Smylie wonders how much information committee members can <br /> share without breaking the rules. <br /> 4. Legal Parameters for Bond Education Committee, Morgan Pierce, County <br /> Attorney <br /> a. Pierce explains that you cannot lobby using county money. Educating our <br /> community and potential voters is allowed. <br /> b. Ask yourself the following two questions: Are public funds being used? <br /> What kind of communication? <br /> c. In your individual capacity you can say whatever you want. However, you <br /> must be sure to be clear you are speaking in an individual capacity. <br /> d. It is important to avoid guaranteeing any specific project. For instance, you <br /> can say we are going to improve security for our schools. But you cannot <br /> say we are going to install cameras at Cedar Ridge High School. <br /> e. When in doubt request guidance from the County Attorney's Office. <br /> 5. Background on School Facilities Needs Assessment, Kirk Vaughn <br /> a. In 2016 there was a $120 million General Obligation Bond for the districts. <br /> b. In 2022 the school capital needs work group recommended that the <br /> county hire a consultant on behalf of the districts to evaluate the county's <br /> approach to school capital planning, design, contracting, and financing <br /> options for managing design and construction. <br />