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<br />
<br /> Ms. Belinda Deatherage, Executive Director of CVAN, asked for continued
<br />funding of CVAN which operates a shelter for battered women and children.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Shirley McDowell, Executive Director of Hospice, asked for renewal of
<br />the $5,592.00 annual allocation to Hospice. She explained the services,
<br />including a community grief program, which are provided by Hospice.
<br />
<br /> Dr. Dan Freeman, Cabarrus County Schools Superintendent, recognized the
<br />Board of Education members present for the meeting: Chair Betty Alston and
<br />Members Gary Hahn, Harold Hartsell, Kaye Amos, Lewis Williams and Grace Mynatt.
<br />He appealed for no decrease in current expense funding, stating that the County
<br />now ranks 122 out of 129 systems in per pupil expenditures. Dr. Freeman reported
<br />that the budget reductions would impact funding for such items as salary
<br />supplement increases, copier maintenance, classroom equipment and supplies,
<br />science equipment, alternative school for disruptive middle students, teacher
<br />training, technology program, maintenance personnel and equipment, kitchen
<br />improvements at Royal Oaks, and high school track renovations.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Betty Alston, Chairman of the Cabarrus County Board of Education, asked
<br />for funding in order to continue the successful and effective operation of the
<br />schools. She commented that the citizens who want school improvements will have
<br />access to the ballot box if adequate funding is not provided.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Cindy Starnes, representative of the Georgeville Community, opposed a
<br />property tax increase, specifically an increase to construct the Muddy Creek
<br />Wastewater Treatment Plant. She complained of the lack of County services in the
<br />Georgeville area and stated the County should provide services to all citizens
<br />rather than increasing taxes to provide a new service to a part of the
<br />population.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Kathy Conroy, parent and employee of the school system, urged the Board
<br />to appropriate funds to relieve the problems in the schools. She complained of
<br />limited classroom space and shared textbooks and stated she would be willing to
<br />pay increased taxes to fund the schools.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Myra Baumgardner spoke in support of funding for the schools, stating
<br />it is the Board's responsibility to adequately fund education for the children
<br />in Cabarrus County.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Karen Harper appealed for no reduction in the per pupil expenditure.
<br />She complained that the county ranks 122 out of 129 school systems in per pupil
<br />expenditures and ranks 49 of the 129 for local funding. She stated in her
<br />opinion the County could afford to do more for the schools since it ranks 20 in
<br />per capita income in the state. Ms. Harper urged the Board to take immediate
<br />steps to provide for new schools and stated her support of impact fees, increased
<br />sales tax, and/or a property tax increase.
<br />
<br /> Board members pointed out that statistics regarding per pupil expenditures
<br />frequently do not include funding for debt service. A large portion of the
<br />County's debt service is for the schools and, if included, this amount would
<br />increase the per pupil expenditures by several hundred dollars. Also, in regards
<br />to the per capita income for Cabarrus County, Mr. Witherspoon noted that the
<br />County is only allowed to tax property, not income.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Nancy Simpson, parent, spoke in support of school funding. She listed
<br />such problems at R. Brown McAllister Elementary School as insufficient desks and
<br />classroom space for the kindergarten class, leaking roof, art teacher working
<br />from a grocery cart, shared space by the music and physical education teachers,
<br />lack of privacy for restroom facilities, and inadequate cafeteria space. Ms.
<br />Simpson presented the following petition which she stated contained 280
<br />signatures.
<br />
<br />We, the undersigned, petition the Cabarrus County Board of
<br />Commissioners, to set aside 5¢ on the tax rate in the coming budget
<br />year to begin construction of two new schools. In addition to this
<br />tax we encourage immediate consideration of other revenue sources
<br />for school construction.
<br />
<br /> Ms. Hulda Bewley, parent, compared the "richness and beauty" of the
<br />Governmental Center to the "shameful" conditions at Winecoff Elementary School.
<br />
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