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BOOK O PAt;C 107 <br />the educational opportunity for all of the children in the County. When <br />queried, Chairman J. R. Ingram stated that if there were an election on <br />merger, he would not politic for it, that he had not politic for his own <br />election and he did not engage in political campaigns. <br />There was a general discussion about many items and Vice- <br />Chairman J. Mack Auman said that he felt that while the Boards have made <br />an effort, they need to wipe the slate clean and start all over again when discuss- <br />ing merger. <br />Commissioner Rogers stated that he thought continuity of member- <br />ship on the School Board was a desirable feature and that the recent discussions <br />of the School Boards have been a step in the right direction. <br />Mr. Roy Utley, a member of the City School Board, stated that <br />the City School Board thought that they had an agreement on merger twice <br />and that each time the County Board of Education had made a different pro- <br />posal and that it was difficult to work under such an arrangement. <br />Chairman Gordon Wicker made the general observation that <br />in the course of the Commissioners dealing with the question of merger, a <br />lot of people had changed their minds on the matter. <br />Chairman Robert Dalrymple re-stated his contention that there was <br />no general agreement at the joint meeting held on the preceding Thursday <br />night. <br />Commissioner Franklin D. Wicker inquired if the City School <br />Board would change their alternate proposal no. two from a five to two <br />membership plan to a four to three membership plan with four from the <br />City Administrative Unit and three from the County Administrative Unit. <br />Mr. Ingram was unable to speak on behalf of his whole board and then <br />Commissioner Franklin D. Wicker suggested that all twelve of the present <br />School Board members serve as an interim board and a method be worked <br />out whereby the membership be reduced over a period of time. Chairman <br />Gordon A. Wicker requested the Chairmen of the School Units to consider <br />this suggestion and report to the Commissioners at their regular meeting <br />on the first Monday in March. <br />Chairman J. R. Ingram, speaking on behalf of the Sanford <br />City Board of Education, requested that funds be made available for their <br />use in purchasing additional land at the Warren Williams School site. He <br />requested that the matter be again considered by the Board and they be given <br />an answer in writing to their request. <br />Mr. Cecil Budd, member of the State Highway Commission, <br />Mr. Fred Beck, District Engineer, and Mr. Erwin Thomas, Maintenance <br />Superintendent, appeared before the Board and Mr. Budd was introduced <br />to the members of the Board as the new Highway Commissioner for this Dis- <br />trict. Mr. Budd stated that he was on a trip through the District getting <br />acquainted with the elected officials and he hoped to serve as their channel to <br />express their needs and wants to the Highway Commission. Mr. Beck re- <br />quested that he be placed on the agenda on the first Monday of each month at <br />which time he will appear and discuss road matters in Lee County. <br />The Clerk read a letter received from Mr. Laurence O. <br />Bowden, County Manager of New Hanover County, relating to a resolution <br />adopted by that Board concerning the loss of the Constitutional status of the <br />office of the County Commissioner. <br />1W <br />