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t` J <br />and proof of residence upon registering to vote and then by only stating his /her address when voting. <br />Mr. Womack stated that each of our neighboring states requires positive identification of each voter at <br />the polls. He stated there are loopholes in the process for registering voters, including scenarios in <br />which a person can be added to the voter rolls without actually producing photo identification. As a <br />result, voter confidence is diminished and the potential for abuse or fraud is elevated. The General <br />Assembly is expected to take up legislation to require Voter ID early in the upcoming session. <br />Commissioner Womack moved to approve the Resolution as presented, a copy of which is attached to <br />these minutes and by this reference made a part hereof. Commissioner Frazier sta a would like to <br />see the Resolution tabled for further discussion. After much discussion, upon a vote of <br />Commissioner Womack's motion, the results were as follows to approve the Re on as presented: <br />Aye: Parks, Shook, Smith, and Womack <br />Nay: Dalrymple, Frazier, and Reives <br />The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted by a foulowree vote. <br />The Board considered a Resolution for Reform of t orth G olina (K -12) Public Education <br />System. Commissioner Womack presented and moved to 11p a solution to Support Legislation <br />in the North Carolina General Assembly to reform public school etter educational outcomes. Mr. <br />Womack stated that North Carolina public schools continue to lag . nal performance averages on <br />college aptitude and placement testing. Half the graduates of North na high schools attending <br />community college require costly remediation in reading, writing, and /or ath before they are prepared <br />to take credit - bearing courses towards a col le" � ducation. He further stated the state's "one size fits <br />all" approach to public education is failing the tudents who do not graduate and those that <br />graduate only to find their fundamental skills la ering college or the workforce. The <br />General Assembly has a number of education r' r in m for the upcoming session. Among the <br />more highly publicized reforms are increased in entionfor grades one through three students; <br />elimination of teacher tenure; provision for merit performance pay; and reducing the size of the <br />bureaucracy in the Departme of Public Instructi DPI). Future reforms may include expanded <br />education grants for priva oled students nd tax deductions for private schooling. After <br />discussion, Commission alry stated she would like to see the matter tabled for further study. <br />Commissioner Reives he d to h r from those dealing in education as to how this would <br />affect them. Upon a vote olution, a copy of which is attached to these minutes and <br />by this reference made a pa of, the results were as follows: <br />Parks, Shorrazier, mith, and Womack <br />mple <br />Dalry, and Reives <br />Chairmaned the motion had been adopted by a four to three vote. <br />A time t ' Board took a short recess. Upon returning from recess, with all members <br />present, the tin esumed. <br />The Board considered reorganization of the Environmental Affairs Board with a new <br />Environmental Review Advisory Committee. Commissioner Womack discussed with the Board the <br />dissolving of the Environmental Affairs Board in favor of an Environmental Advisory Committee that <br />more directly serves the Lee County Board of Commissioners and County staff needs. Mr. Womack <br />stated this matter was for discussion only at this time. The present Board has provided a valuable <br />service to Lee County citizens for nearly 25 year, during which time there has been little change in its <br />charter and tasks. With Lee County now on the verge of major new industrial developments in the <br />highly technical and complex energy fields, of Horizontal Drilling for Natural Gas and Biofuels, the <br />n <br />