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