[BakerButlerMatters] School Budget Information

[Thomas Pajewski]

The following information is being sent out at the request of the
Baker-Butler Parent Council Representative Robert Q. Berry, III and the
Baker-Butler PTO President Hope Wood:

Albemarle County Public Schools Parent Council  - February 12, 2008
http://www.acpsparentcouncil.org

Your school's budget is in crisis!
What can you do about it?

BOARD of SUPERVISORS:
Lindsay  G. Dorrier (Scottsville)
Dennis S. Rooker (Jack Jouett)
Sally H. Thomas (Samuel Miller)
David Slutzky (Rio)
Ann H. Mallek (White Hall)
Kenneth C. Boyd (Rivanna)
Mailing address:  Board of Supervisors, 401 McIntire Rd., Charlottesville,
VA 22902
Budget info:  www.albemarle.org
Telephone (434)296-5843
FAX (434)296-5800

All Supervisors will receive your email if you send one email to:
bos at albemarle.org

BACKGROUND
Last year, Albemarle County reduced the real estate tax rate to $0.68 per
$100 assessed, resulting in significant school budget cuts (larger class
sizes, etc.).
* Your children are going to be effected more this year due to reduced
revenues. 
* This year, real estate values have not grown as expected, resulting in
more losses when taking into account inflation, salaries, and health care
and fuel cost increases.
* The School Board has developed a budget to provide the world class
education your students need to be successful.  Anticipated revenues are
$1.3 million less than the proposed budget.  The budget is already "bare
bones," our students cannot get the education they require and deserve for
any less. 

WHAT  IS  AT  STAKE?
The School Board is considering these CUTS to deal with the revenue
shortfall:
·      Charging to participate in athletic programs
·      Charging for school bus transportation
·      Larger class sizes
·      Elimination of new textbooks
·      Elimination of electives or under-enrolled classes
·      Elimination of Strings programs

HOW  YOU  CAN  MAKE  A  DIFFERENCE!
Your support is critical!  We need your help to communicate the following
MESSAGE:
* Support public education - strong public schools makes for strong
communities 
* Fully fund the School Board's requested budget (knowing that significant
cuts have already been made)
* Any form of communication is better than nothing.
* Let your supervisor know you care, and are paying attention.
* Do the following, in order of importance:
* EMAIL, CALL, and  WRITE  ALL  members of the Board of Supervisors (see
above). 
* Show your support before the Board of Supervisors - attend these public
hearings on budget issues (see dates above).  We need to pack the Auditorium
in support of education funding!
* Write letters to your media stating your concern and support for public
education. 
 
Information: Mary Huffard Kegley Scott
ACPS Parent Council, maryhuffard at yahoo.com


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