Cary Academy representatives Michael McElreath, Allison Lea, and Julian Sloan said that they were students focusing on community research activism and had decided to focus on food insecurities in Alamance County. The idea presented was the use of food trucks to solve the problem. They further stated that they would like to test this idea by partnering with the YMCA to use a food truck recently donated to the YMCA, which is currently sitting unused.
Ed Priola, a Mebane resident, spoke against ABSS' request for a 27% budget increase because of its effect on taxpayers.
Camille Mikkelsen, a Haw River resident, expressed concerns about the ABSS proposed school budget and the lack of resources needed to support the students.
Elizabeth Lockley, an Elon resident, expressed concerns about ABSS and its decline.
Traneigha Walker, a fourth-grade student, said she had to leave school early that day because there was no water. She requested that a study on the schools be conducted.
Ebony Pinnix, an ABSS Parent, informed everyone that she was the previous speaker's mother and confirmed that her child's school was without water. She asked the Commissioners to fund a comprehensive building study of all the schools.
Sawyer Jones, a sophomore student, talked about critical issues that had impacted his educational journey and the other students. He said that ABSS was chronically underfunded by both state and local government.
Ian Benjamin, a senior student, expressed his concerns that the ABSS was underfunded, specifically his high school.
Rameez Butt, a sophomore student, shared as a new student to ABSS how positive his experience had been since relocating from another country here in 2023. He credited his smooth transition to his school guidance counselor. He urged the Board to maintain or increase funding for the guidance counselors in the school system.
Lillith Stewart, an Alamance Virtual School student, asked the Board to approve the proposed ABSS budget, which would keep the virtual school open.
Lisa Dukelow, a Walter Williams High School educator, spoke about a pilot program for inter-departmental reading and writing scheduled for implementation next year. She expressed concerns that two crucial leader/specialist positions in the program will be eliminated next year. She commented that the proposed cuts would directly impact the students and their learning experiences. She asked that the funding for the specialist positions be continued so that the teachers could do their jobs.
Jennifer Gauze, a Gibsonville resident, shared that she believed that her 13-year-old child had been recruited as a confidential informant by a school resource officer (SRO). She commented that her other child has been denied IEP services for six years. She further stated that a principal had attempted to get her youngest daughter in an office alone. She stated that she had contacted ABSS but was shuffled around. She also stated that she contacted the county manager and Senator Amy Galey. She also made accusations of nepotism against Sheriff Johnson.
Matthew Townsend, a Mebane resident, talked about his experience of being underpaid by ABSS; Durham County Schools now employs him. He expressed concerns that ABSS has hired many unlicensed teachers and was struggling to hire teachers for empty classrooms. He commented that the cause of this crisis was the NC General Assembly not living up to its responsibilities. He asked the Commissioners how they would pay for teachers needed in ABSS.
Bristol Spurgo, an Alamance Virtual School student, shared how she valued her virtual teachers and how virtual school allowed her to remain in her safe space.
Vice-Chair Carter confirmed with County Manager Heidi York that ABSS had not submitted a proposed budget as of that meeting date. She reported that the budget was due to the county by May 15th. Chair John Paisley reported that according to the NC General Statutes, the school system should have provided its proposed school budget no later than May 15th, which had already passed.