HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-31-1999 - Letter AdHocOrange County Commissioners
P. O. Box 8181
200 S Cameron Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Alice M. Gordon, Chair
Stephen H. Halkiotis, Vice Chair Memorandum
Margaret W. Brown
Moses Carey, Jr.
Barry Jacobs
To: Alice Gordon, Chair, Barry Jacobs
Steve Halkiotis, Margaret Brown
Subject: Appointment of Ad Hoc Committee to study and make
recommendations on the feasibility of developing a
Technical/Community Branch in Orange County
From: Moses Carey, Jr.
Date: August 31, 1999
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This is to bring to your attention that I will ask for this item to be placed for consideration
on the next Board agenda. I have been thinking about this matter for some time and have
discussed it with several persons within and outside Orange County. I cannot say that I
know all of the details or the outcome would be of such a study, but believe strongly that
Orange County citizens should have the opportunity to receive the training they need
closer to their homes. That includes those who are coming out of high school and those
who need training to compete for better paying jobs inside and outside of the county. I
am aware that a significant portion (approx. 20 %) of Durham Technical Community
College students resides in Orange County. It is also my understanding that Orange
County is officially included within the service area of Durham Technical Community
College. I believe there may be funds available through state and federal sources to help
finance such a venture. Therefore, I will ask our Board to appoint a committee to study
and make recommendations of the need and feasibility of developing a branch of Durham
Technical Community College in Orange County. The most logical place for such
development is in Hillsborough since we already have the Skills Development Center to
help provide needed access to training opportunities in Chapel Hill.
If it were deemed feasible to pursue such a branch, I would ask that the possibility of co-
location on the site of the new high school to be developed by the Orange County
Schools be explored. The timing for such joint planning if this project is feasible is now.
The committee to study this issue should, at a minimum, include the following
individuals and /or groups:
You Count In Orange County
AREA CODE (919) 732 -8181: 968 -4501 : 688 -7331 : 227 -2031 : FAX (919) 644 -3004
Ext. 2130
Orange County Schools Superintendent
Chapel Hill - Carrboro Schools Superintendent
A school Board Member from each system
At least one County Commissioner
County Manager or his designee
Two Durham Technical Community College Representatives Selected by the President of
the College
A representative of each Orange County Chamber of Commerce organization
A member of the Orange County Economic Development Commission
Three Citizens at large
I would appreciate your comments, if any, on this matter prior to the next Board meeting.
This matter has been discussed with Dr. Phail Wynn, President of Durham Tech, at least
two Orange County School Board Members and at least one of our State Legislative
Representatives. Others have also discussed it with the Orange County School
Superintendent and at least one of our State Legislative Representatives.
With this memo I am asking the County Manager to prepare this matter for action at the
next scheduled Board meeting.
Cc: John Link, County Manager