We did it.
Six months ago, the CHCCS PTA Council adopted as it's primary local advocacy priority to fully fund schools. We knew that a difficult budget year loomed and that the community would have to come together to make a difference.
Tonight the Orange County Board of County Commissioners agreed by a vote of 5-2 to increase general property taxes by 2 cents per 100$. In addition, they will be allocating almost $1M from fund balance.
The bottom line? Both CHCCS and Orange County Schools will be fully funded at the local level based on their initial budget requests.
I want to publicly thank Commissioners Rich, Gordon, Pelissier, Dorosin and Jacobs for their leadership and commitment to education in Orange County. I want to thank them for listening to the parent voices in our community and for working hard to find a solution. They are invaluable community leaders and we are lucky to have them. Thank you all.
I want to thank all of the parents, staff and students of CHCCS for finding your voice and making it heard in support of our schools. Advocacy is a team sport, and none of this happens without you.
We aren't out of the woods yet. The state budget still needs to be finalized and our teachers still need to have their professional dignity restored. There is always another challenge.
But I know one thing. I will never bet against the capacity of this amazing community to do great things.
We did it.
YOU did it.
Thank you for letting me be a small part of this. Enjoy your summer. You earned it.
Jeff Hall
PTA Council President
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