[BakerButlerMatters] Budget Update

[Thomas Pajewski]

The following email is from the Albemarle County School¹s Parent Council, a
group which represents the PTOs from all of the county¹s school.


Many thanks to those who could join us for the Board of Supervisors (BOS)
public hearing last Wednesday evening, March 7th.  We had a great turnout of
school supporters regarding the budget.  I am well aware of your many
scheduling conflicts, from sick family members, to Cub Scouts, to church
obligations, so thank you for your efforts to convince the BOS to fully fund
our education budget.
 
Unfortunately, the other side also had a great turnout.  It was a packed
house for the public hearing.  Between 6:20pm and 8:55pm, 25 individuals
spoke in support of fully funding education, and 19 individuals spoke in
support of tax cuts.
 
I write now to request your support, once again.  There is a buzz that the
BOS may consider a tax cut between 2 and 7 cents.  And, it is anticipated
the BOS will make a decision regarding a tax cut by next Monday, March 19th.
So, time is of the essence !
 
It is crucial that we generate as much contact to the BOS as possible within
the next four days !
 
As parents, grandparents, teachers...  anyone who has a relationship with
the county school system - our message is simple --- PLEASE  FULLY  FUND
THE  SCHOOL  BOARD'S  PROPOSED  BUDGET.
 
We estimate that every penny the BOS cuts in the tax rate, will result in a
$960,000 reduction in the School Board's proposed budget.  And, any cut over
the 2 cent amount may result in reductions to our current school budgets.
All taxpayers benefit from a well funded "world class" education system, and
we need to let the BOS hear from us !  If the BOS cuts the tax rate, the
school system will be forced to reevaluate their budget -- it is likely that
people and programs within our education system will be impacted.
 
The Parent Council is asking several things of you:
 
A.   Send out the SOS message to your PTO and ask parents to email,
telephone and write the BOS in support of the School Board's proposed budget
before this Thursday, March 15th.
 
B.  Attend the BOS regularly scheduled meeting this Wednesday, March 14th.
We will have the opportunity to speak to the BOS during their regular
"public comment" period between 6-7pm on Wednesday.  We need to let the BOS
hear from us to support education funding !
 
C.  Attend the April 4th BOS public hearing in support of education funding.
 
The BOS may be contacted by:
 
Ken Boyd (Chairman) kboyd at albemarle.org
David Wyant, dwyant at albemarle.org, 434/823-5818
David Slutzky, dslutzky at albemarle.org, 434/989-5888
Sally Thomas, sthomas at albemarle.org, 434-295-1819
Dennis Rooker, dsrooker at earthlink.net, 434/977-7424
Lindsay Dorrier, riverstreet4444 at yahoo.com, 434-286-9399
 
Please take a moment to email and/or call the BOS members.  They have heard
from so many citizens in support of tax cuts, that we (the education
community) really need to let them hear from us!  They need to know their
tax cuts will negatively impact our students' educational opportunities,
ultimately impacting our entire community.
 
Contact me if you need additional information.  Thank you for your continued
support and leadership !
 
"Mary Huffard" Kegley Scott
Parent Council Executive Committee
maryhuffard at yahoo.com
293-8587
 
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