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~; <br />John Link made reference to cultural diversity training and said that to date 550 County <br />employees have been trained in phase I. To lead this effort we have had a diversity resource group. <br />Economic Development Director Dianne Reid said that the training was in response to the County <br />Commissioners' goals to respond to increasing diversity in our community. All current County <br />employees will have completed phase I by the end of April. This phase is about building awareness. <br />She reported that the trainer, Pat Colair has come back to the resource group and noted that people in <br />other parts of the state are amazed at what Orange County is doing. She thanked the Board for its <br />support. <br />Annette Atwater from Social Services talked about her personal experiences as part of the <br />resource group. She said that as they progressed through the training, employees became more open <br />in sharing their feelings and more aware about the changes and how they need to make changes in <br />their departments to better serve the citizens. She was also part of the pilot program for phase II, and <br />in this training it was more specific in learning about diverse populations. She is looking forward to <br />phase III, which is a work in progress. She encouraged the County Commissioners to also participate <br />in the training. <br />John Link made reference to a memo regarding an upcoming board meeting held by the Chapel <br />Hill-Carrboro City Schools. He also made reference to material, which represents a letter he sent to <br />Superintendent Neil Pedersen today regarding the apparent aggressive plan to proceed with a smaller <br />high school. He felt that it was important that the staff and school board be aware of certain <br />expectations that the County Commissioners have. Another issue is that the County Commissioners <br />will not have received an official presentation on the Capital Improvement Plan for the schools and the <br />County until March 18. It may be the end of May or the first of June before the CIP is actually adopted. <br />He encourages some planning and said that he feels the Board of County Commissioners needs to be <br />put into the mix. <br />Commissioner Brown said that everything she has heard about the high school has been in the <br />newspaper. John Link said that a letter was received on January 28th from Dr. Pedersen in which <br />Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools describe the idea and rationale of a smaller high school. <br />This issue will be discussed at the joint meeting with the school boards on March 25tH <br />Commissioner Gordon would like for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools to explain the reason <br />they are pursuing a smaller high school. Is it because of the money or because it is a better model? <br />5. RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS <br />a. Severe Weather Awareness Week Proclamation <br />The Board considered proclaiming the week of March 10-16 as Severe Weather Awareness <br />Week. Dinah Jefferies from Orange County EMS said that spring is approaching and with it comes the <br />threat of severe weather. She read the proclamation. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to <br />approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation as stated below: <br />PROCLAMATION <br />SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK <br />March 10-16, 2002 <br />WHEREAS, Governor Michael F. Easley has proclaimed the week of March 10-16, 2002 as <br />Severe Weather Awareness Week; and <br />WHEREAS, Orange County is vulnerable to severe weather, including the devastation of tornadoes; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, Tornadoes occur in North Carolina each year; and <br />WHEREAS, The need for citizens to learn more about tornadoes and how to protect themselves <br />should be emphasized; <br />NOW THEREFORE, The Board of County Commissioners hereby proclaim the week of March 10 <br />through 16, 2002, as Severe Weather Awareness Week, and encourage all citizens to <br />