Orange County is seeking volunteers from the community to help educate the public about a proposed $300 million school bond expected to be on the ballot in November 2024. The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved the formation of a 12-member Bond Education Committee at its April 16 meeting.
Six community members—three from each school district—will serve on the committee alongside two members of the Orange County Board of Commissioners and two representatives each chosen by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education and the Orange County Schools Board of Education.
The committee will help develop informational materials to explain the needs for the bond, design and implement a campaign to distribute information about the bonds, create a process to hold information meetings with interested community groups and encourage community members to vote in the 2024 election.
“The committee will help ensure the public understands why the county and schools are asking for a bond so voters can make an informed decision when they go to the polls this fall,” said Jamezetta Bedford, Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners and a former member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education.
Interested community members should apply on the Orange County website at www.orangecountync.gov/apply. Choose “Bond Education Committee – 2024” from the pulldown menu when filling out the application. Applications will be accepted through May 29, with appointments by the Board at its June 4, 2024, business meeting.
The Board also approved a budget amendment allocating $50,000 to the committee to develop materials and support the committee’s activities.