[MeriwetherMatters] Schools Budget Update from Parent Council Feb. 17 2008

[MLS Matters]

Albemarle County Public Schools Parent Council  - February 17, 2008
  http://www.acpsparentcouncil.org
  Your school's budget is in crisis!
  What can you do about it?
   
  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 make 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   
   Show your support before the Board of Supervisors - attend these public hearings on budget issues.  We need to pack the Auditorium in support of education funding!   
   Write letters to your media stating your concern and support for public education.
  Members of the County Board of Supervisors & their districts:
  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
   
  Important Dates for public comment:
  February 20, 2008 6:00pm            Public forum re: budget priorities at Co. Ofc. Bldg.,
                                                         Lane Auditorium
  March 5, 2008 6:00pm                  Public hearing re: Co. Executive's budget, Co. Ofc.
                                                         Bldg., Lane Auditorium
  April 2, 2008 6:00pm                     Public hearing re: final budget , Co. Ofc. Bldg.,
                                                         Lane Auditorium
   
   
   
  Information:  Mary Huffard Kegley Scott
  ACPS Parent Council, maryhuffard at yahoo.com

       
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