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2 <br /> 1 second,that the state has been negligent in per-pupil funding, placing the burden on the county; and third, <br /> 2 that she asked the board not to penalize the district with a smaller budget because of the hard financial <br /> 3 work done by Superintendent Rodney Trice and district leadership, including RIFs and replenishing the <br /> 4 fund balance. <br /> 5 Julie Werry thanked the board for its sustained support and acknowledged the difficult position <br /> 6 commissioners are in amid national and state pressures. She recounted the challenges the district has <br /> 7 faced since 2023 — multiple RIFs, allocation adjustments, programming cuts, declining enrollment, and <br /> 8 difficult conversations about school closures. She praised Superintendent Rodney Trice and asked the <br /> 9 board to stand with the community by providing a fully funded continuation budget,warning that without <br /> 10 full support, uncertainty would worsen for teachers and families. <br /> 11 Amy Rosenthal spoke on the proclamation for Jewish American Heritage Month. She thanked the <br /> 12 Board for their support and acknowledgment. <br /> 13 Olivia Soto-Allison spoke on the need for increased funding for Emergency Medical Services. She <br /> 14 read a statement from a coworker, Lloyd Adler-Johnson who could not be present. His statement <br /> 15 described the need for higher salaries for EMS employees, and that the department is underpaid, <br /> 16 understaffed, and under-resourced. He said employees had been counting on the planned step increases <br /> 17 for salaries, and that pausing these increases will result in employee turnover. He said this will impact <br /> 18 services to residents. <br /> 19 <br /> 20 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> 21 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.) <br /> 22 <br /> 23 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members <br /> 24 Commissioner Greene spoke on the Jewish-American Heritage Month Proclamation. She read the <br /> 25 proclamation out loud with additional language: <br /> 26 <br /> 27 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> 28 JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH <br /> 29 PROCLAMATION <br /> 30 <br /> 31 WHEREAS, Jewish American Heritage Month is celebrated annually in May to honor the generations of <br /> 32 Jewish Americans who have contributed to the history and culture of our nation, from its very origin 250 <br /> 33 years ago; and <br /> 34 <br /> 35 WHEREAS, Jewish Americans have made significant contributions to North Carolina's economic <br /> 36 development entrepreneurship, business leadership and innovation, playing a key role in building a <br /> 37 thriving local economy; and <br /> 38 WHEREAS, the Jewish community has played a lead role in North Carolina's arts and culture, supporting <br /> 39 institutions, artists and events that celebrate creativity and foster cross-cultural appreciation; and <br /> 40 <br /> 41 WHEREAS,Jewish Americans have shaped both K-12 and higher education in North Carolina by advocating <br /> 42 for high-quality education for all, establishing schools and scholarships, serving as educators and mentors <br /> 43 who inspire the next generation; and <br /> 44 <br /> 45 WHEREAS,Jewish Americans have honorably served in the United States military, demonstrating courage, <br /> 46 patriotism and a commitment to protecting the constitutional rights and freedoms we hold dear, and in <br /> 47 government dedicating themselves to helping others; and <br /> 48 <br />