Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Annual Virginia Tax Holiday Applies to School Supplies, Clothing Purchases
Families in Virginia will get a sales tax break on clothes and supplies for school when the state holds its annual Virginia tax holiday, August 6-8. Read the whole story
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
National PTA and Facebook Announce Partnership
"Collaboration committed to educating kids, parents and teachers about responsible and safe Internet use"
Memphis, Tenn. and Palo Alto, Calif. – June 10, 2010 – Today, National PTA and Facebook announced a formal collaboration to promote responsible and safe Internet use to kids, parents and teachers. Together, National PTA and Facebook will establish a comprehensive program that will provide information, support and news to encourage citizenship online, reduce cyberbullying and advance Internet safety and security. Read the whole story
Thursday, June 3, 2010
How to help struggling schools in a budget crisis
How to help struggling schools in a budget crisis: Daniel A. Domenech arrived in Fairfax County 13 years ago as the new schools superintendent. He was a former elementary school teacher with a reputation for raising achievement for low-income students. But he had to prove himself, fast, in difficult circumstances. Read the whole story: Washington Post
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Attention Marshall Road Parents: Your Participation is Needed!
MR PTA Roundtable Brainstorming Session 2010
How the PTA Earns & Spends Money
Thursday, June 3, 7-9pm*
Agenda
- Call Meeting to Order -- Shelly Koshuta, MR PTA President
- Introductions
- Announcements
- Introductions
Expense and Income Review for 2010 – Susan Vouvalis, MRPTA Treasurer
- Discussion – Facilitator, Beth Eachus, MRPTA Vice President
- How
Should the PTA Spend its Money?
- Programs the PTA Should Keep
- New Program Wish List: Ex: Drama, Typing 101, Brain Gym, etc.
- Capital Expenditures Wish List – for example: track, smart boards, PE equipment, other technology, playground equipment? – all ideas are welcomed and open to discussion.
- Programs the PTA Should Keep
- How Should the PTA Raise Money?
- Fundraisers the PTA Should Keep
- Fundraising Management
- Fundraising Committee with fundraising goals?
- Goal oriented fundraising / Dedicated Fundraising (as determined by membership vs. committee chairs)
- Emphasis on reward programs or no fuss fundraisers?
- Fundraising Committee with fundraising goals?
- New fundraising ideas
- Fundraisers the PTA Should Keep
PTA Survey, 2010
The Marshall Road Elementary School PTA wants to meet the needs of our students, teachers and parents. Therefore, we need your opinion. The purpose of the linked survey is to get your comments about the PTA and its activities. Your answers will give next year's Executive Board members your insight for the PTA goals, budget and activities for both students and parents.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
FCPS Food and Nutrition Services Named District of Excellence by School Nutrition Association
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Food and Nutrition Services has been named a District of Excellence by the School Nutrition Association for accomplishments in administration, operations, nutrition education, and communications and marketing. Read the whole story.
JA in a Day Comes to FCPS Classrooms in June
Junior Achievement’s JA in a Day program will be presented at numerous Fairfax County public schools throughout June as the school year winds down for students. The program, which uses volunteers to teach economics lessons on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship through lessons tailored to each grade level, is taught during one school day.
Programs include Ourselves, for kindergarten students; Our Families, for first grade students; Our Community, for second grade students; Our City, for third grade students; Our Region, for fourth grade students; and Our Nation, for fifth grade students. Read the whole story: FCPS
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Parents Dread Fairfax Co. School Fees
FAIRFAX, Va. - The region's largest school district has made a tough spending decision. Fairfax County (web | news) Schools approved a $2.2 billion budget that included $200 million in cuts.
Now, students and their parents literally may have to pay the price for some of the biggest changes. Read the whole story: News8
Virginia wins student data tracking funds
Virginia wins student data tracking funds: "Virginia will receive $17.5 million in federal funds to improve the system it uses to track student data." Read the whole story: WTOP
Friday, May 21, 2010
Fairfax approves $2.2B school budget that cuts jobs, adds fees
Fairfax approves $2.2B school budget that cuts jobs, adds fees: "The Fairfax County School Board approved a $2.2 billion budget Thursday night that cuts 200 positions, introduces fees for sports and Advanced Placement tests, and phases out some longstanding programs that have supported the county's poorest schools." Read the whole story: Washington Post
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Educators Ask Parents to Book Time for Kids to Read During Summer Breaks
Educators Ask Parents to Book Time for Kids to Read During Summer Breaks: "School is almost out for summer break but parents are being reminded that they have some homework. An organization called Kids Count released a report that stresses the importance of students being strong readers by 4th grade. If they're not, kids slip further back in school. Kerri Bruce is a coach in Springfield, MO. Her team consists of aspiring to accomplished elementary school readers. Their opponent is summer. "We typically see a summer regression, sometimes two to three months in achievement," said Bruce, whose title in the Springfield School District is literacy coach. "We have to scramble quickly to bring them up to par."
"
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Dunn Loring Administrative Center to Become Parent Services Center on June 1
Dunn Loring Administrative Center to Become Parent Services Center on June 1: "Effective Tuesday, June 1, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Dunn Loring Administrative Center will become the Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, providing a variety of programs, resources, and services for parents in one convenient location."
FCPS Begins Live Streaming of School Board Meetings, Channel 21 Shows
FCPS Begins Live Streaming of School Board Meetings, Channel 21 Shows: "Beginning tomorrow, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will launch a pilot to videostream television programming live, including coverage of School Board meetings and Channel 21 programs, on its web site at www.fcps.edu."
May 25-31 Sales Tax Holiday: Emergency Preparedness Supplies
Put it on your calendar: Virginia’s Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, May 25-31
Get Ready to save money! Plan to go shopping the last week of May, and you will save money on items you can use to protect your home and business during hurricane and flooding season. You also can add items to your family’s emergency supply kit. Retail outlets will have information about the tax holiday. Many everyday items are exempt from state sales tax.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Scream Free Parenting
The Marshall Road PTA will present a parenting workshop following a brief PTA meeting at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 11, in the cafeteria.
Join MRPTA for a special opportunity to focus on our most important job: PARENTING. Neil McNerney, The Director of Training for The ScreamFree Institute and a Licensed Professional Counselor and Family Therapist, will show you specific skills to help restore calm, reclaim respect, and regain love and fun in your family. Neil is a certified parenting coach and uses the ScreamFree model developed by bestselling author Hal Runkel (www.screamfree.com).
Neil will focus on specific ideas that you can use immediately to provide better leadership for your kids, including:
- Let the consequences do the screaming
- Ingredients of a good rule
- Passive vs. Active Consequences - This one will surprise you!
- Stop vs. Start Behaviors
- Why grounding for a month doesn't work
Please join us for this positive and productive evening, Tuesday May 11 7:30-9:00 pm in the cafeteria.
Join MRPTA for a special opportunity to focus on our most important job: PARENTING. Neil McNerney, The Director of Training for The ScreamFree Institute and a Licensed Professional Counselor and Family Therapist, will show you specific skills to help restore calm, reclaim respect, and regain love and fun in your family. Neil is a certified parenting coach and uses the ScreamFree model developed by bestselling author Hal Runkel (www.screamfree.com).
Neil will focus on specific ideas that you can use immediately to provide better leadership for your kids, including:
- Let the consequences do the screaming
- Ingredients of a good rule
- Passive vs. Active Consequences - This one will surprise you!
- Stop vs. Start Behaviors
- Why grounding for a month doesn't work
Please join us for this positive and productive evening, Tuesday May 11 7:30-9:00 pm in the cafeteria.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Child resisting school? Try a sabbatical for kids.
Child resisting school? Try a sabbatical for kids.: "The Washington area has the highest concentration of ambitious and challenging schools in the country, a result of both the quality of the educators and the affluence of the parents. But such educational riches come at a price. Schools that demand so much don’t work for some kids. Parents, including some Post colleagues, occasionally tell me about their bright children who see no point in many assignments and don’t do them, leading to tension and heartburn for the adults. When it gets too bad, a family may pull the kid out of school to let everyone calm down and see if another approach can be found. The pause in schooling doesn’t usually last long. The student reads on his or her own for awhile--something they like to do---until the parents find a different school or a new year begins with new teachers better tuned to different rhythms. You might...
Thursday, May 6, 2010
ScreamFree Parenting - Parenting that Creates Calm Connections in your Family:
Marshall Road PTA Workshop -- Join Us on Tuesday, May 11 for a workshop presented by Neil McNerney from 7:30-9:00pm following the MR PTA meeting.
ScreamFree Parenting - Parenting that Creates Calm Connections in your Family:
ScreamFree Parenting - Parenting that Creates Calm Connections in your Family:
Friday, April 30, 2010
Vienna Rotary Gifts Marshall Road ES
Vienna Rotary Gifts Marshall Road ES: "
School uses grant money to buy multi-media equipment. On April 13, a Marshall Road Elementary School third-grade class hosted a multi-media presentation on pre-earthquake Haiti.
"The good done by NCLB
The good done by NCLB: "
"
I’ve never met Peter Meyer, but I’m a fan. Several years ago he wrote this stellar Education Next article about the disappearance of Catholic schools, which had an enormous influence on my thinking and doing (this event and this report may have not happened were it not for that article). He’s also written a significant number of other valuable pieces on a wide array of subjects.
In this post over at Ed Next’s blog, Meyer discusses a very important issue that’s getting entirely too little ink: the significant good done by the much-maligned NCLB. Rather than engaging in the national polemics about the law’s intrusiveness, unintended consequences, and so forth, he provides examples of how the law helped transform (for the better) the outlook and behavior of his local school district.
When the administration released its reauthorization blueprint, I registered my objection to what I saw as backtracking on accountability. Meyer’s post introduces real, on-the-ground examples of what this accountability framework has done for students, parents, and educators.
–Andy Smarick
Related posts:
- Is NCLB reauthorization moving?
- To renew NCLB, redefine “reform”
- McKeon’s replacement wants to overhaul NCLB
County needs to break its - spending habit'
County needs to break its - spending habit': "
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has marked up the county's fiscal 2011 budget and has failed miserably once again.
"Hudgins, McKay say cuts will likely reverse gains of neediest students
Hudgins, McKay say cuts will likely reverse gains of neediest students: "
Several county supervisors have expressed concerns about Fairfax County Public Schools' plans to redesign or eliminate programs aimed at boosting achievement in low-income communities.
"Sorting out boys' school problems
Sorting out boys' school problems: "Like most of us, I don't like my biases challenged, particularly by people I admire. So I put off reading what turned out to be a brilliant new book, 'Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons From an Educational System That's Leaving Them Behind,' by former USA Today editorial writer Richard Whitmire. Whitmire is an exceptionally thoughtful and energetic journalist. As far as I can tell, we agree on nearly all the big issues. But he has produced what appeared to be a book-length assault on my view that the boy problem in schools was overblown, that boys were only losing ground to girls because girls, thankfully, were finally catching up. I was not eager to discover I was wrong about that. Now I have read the book, and feel everyone should read it. I don't know of a clearer or more balanced examination of this issue. Whitmire is passionate"
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Latest on the Budget from FCPS (The Bottom Line)
Board of Supervisors Marks Up FY 2011 Budget
Although the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors doesn’t officially adopt the FY 2011 budget until April 27, the board released its markup of the budget on April 20. A markup is a formal preview of the final budget. The county’s FY 2011 budget markup includes a real estate tax rate of $1.09 per $100 of assessed value, which is a five cent increase from the $1.04 rate in FY 2010. The budget also establishes a vehicle registration license fee of $33 for most vehicles. For further details, please read the county’s press release.
How does this impact Fairfax County Public Schools? The county budget includes a $1.6 billion transfer to the schools for operations, which represents a 1 percent decrease from the FY 2010 transfer level. The Fairfax County School Board had requested that the Board of Supervisors fund the school transfer at the same level as 2010 due to growing enrollment and increasing mandatory costs of operations. The 1 percent decrease in the county transfer equals $16.3 million in lost funding for FCPS schools. The next few weeks will be crucial as the School Board wrestles with final funding recommendations for the FY 2011 budget.
Also during the markup process, the Board of Supervisors restored 107 positions that were previously proposed for reduction, including 26 school resource officers (SROs) for middle schools. This action positively benefits Fairfax County Public Schools students and staff. School resource officers—police officers who are employed by the Fairfax County government (not FCPS)—are a vital part of safety and security in all middle and high schools. The Board of Supervisors also restored two positions for athletic field maintenance, which will benefit FCPS students who use elementary, middle, and high school athletics and fields.
So where are we now? The School Board’s current advertised budget for FY 2011 includes reduced services and programs for the coming school year. These cuts include:
Now that the funding amounts are clearer on the federal, state, and county levels, the School Board will begin to make final decisions about programs and proposed cuts. The School Board will hold work sessions April 29, May 10, and May 13, and public hearings on May 11 and May 12. Then, the Board will adopt the FY 2011 Approved Budget on May 20. The FY 2011 budget will go into effect on July 1. Community members are encouraged to get involved by attending meetings and participating in the public hearings.
For more information about the FY 2011 Advertised Budget, please visit the FCPS budget news page.
Upcoming Important Dates
Want to Get Involved?
Please Note: All FCPS employees and all FCPS parents who have registered e-mail addresses with their children's schools get The Bottom Line automatically. If you are not a member of one of these groups and want to receive copies of The Bottom Line, go to http://www.fcps.edu/kit/, create a KIT Plus subscription, and sign up for Current Issues or School Board News and Updates.
Although the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors doesn’t officially adopt the FY 2011 budget until April 27, the board released its markup of the budget on April 20. A markup is a formal preview of the final budget. The county’s FY 2011 budget markup includes a real estate tax rate of $1.09 per $100 of assessed value, which is a five cent increase from the $1.04 rate in FY 2010. The budget also establishes a vehicle registration license fee of $33 for most vehicles. For further details, please read the county’s press release.
How does this impact Fairfax County Public Schools? The county budget includes a $1.6 billion transfer to the schools for operations, which represents a 1 percent decrease from the FY 2010 transfer level. The Fairfax County School Board had requested that the Board of Supervisors fund the school transfer at the same level as 2010 due to growing enrollment and increasing mandatory costs of operations. The 1 percent decrease in the county transfer equals $16.3 million in lost funding for FCPS schools. The next few weeks will be crucial as the School Board wrestles with final funding recommendations for the FY 2011 budget.
Also during the markup process, the Board of Supervisors restored 107 positions that were previously proposed for reduction, including 26 school resource officers (SROs) for middle schools. This action positively benefits Fairfax County Public Schools students and staff. School resource officers—police officers who are employed by the Fairfax County government (not FCPS)—are a vital part of safety and security in all middle and high schools. The Board of Supervisors also restored two positions for athletic field maintenance, which will benefit FCPS students who use elementary, middle, and high school athletics and fields.
So where are we now? The School Board’s current advertised budget for FY 2011 includes reduced services and programs for the coming school year. These cuts include:
- a reduction of more than 200 positions (nearly half from central office support).
- a salary freeze for all employees.
- a reduction in custodial support.
- closure of Pimmit Hills Alternative High School.
- elimination of summer school except for extended school year for special education students, online campus program (including ESOL), term graduate programs (including SOL testing and credit recovery), and enrichment courses and camps.
- elimination of the extended school day and modified elementary school calendar.
- a 15 percent reduction in supplies and textbooks.
Now that the funding amounts are clearer on the federal, state, and county levels, the School Board will begin to make final decisions about programs and proposed cuts. The School Board will hold work sessions April 29, May 10, and May 13, and public hearings on May 11 and May 12. Then, the Board will adopt the FY 2011 Approved Budget on May 20. The FY 2011 budget will go into effect on July 1. Community members are encouraged to get involved by attending meetings and participating in the public hearings.
For more information about the FY 2011 Advertised Budget, please visit the FCPS budget news page.
Upcoming Important Dates
| April 27 | County Board of Supervisors Approves County Budget, Tax Rate Resolution, and Transfer Amount to Schools. |
| April 29 | School Board Budget Work Session (Gatehouse Administration Center, room 1600). |
| May 10 | School Board Budget Work Session (Gatehouse Administration Center, room 1600). |
| May 11, 12 | School Board Budget Public Hearings (Jackson Middle School). |
| May 13 | School Board Budget Work Session (Jackson Middle School). |
| May 20 | School Board Adopts FY 2011 Approved Budget. |
| July 1 | Fiscal Year 2011 Begins. |
- Learn more at the FCPS budget web site at http://www.fcps.edu/news/fy2011.htm.
- Attend School Board meetings.
- Speak at a School Board public hearing (www.fcps.edu/schlbd/requestspeak.htm).
Please Note: All FCPS employees and all FCPS parents who have registered e-mail addresses with their children's schools get The Bottom Line automatically. If you are not a member of one of these groups and want to receive copies of The Bottom Line, go to http://www.fcps.edu/kit/, create a KIT Plus subscription, and sign up for Current Issues or School Board News and Updates.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Vienna Rotary Gifts Marshall Road ES
Photo by Donna Manz/The Connection
The Vienna Rotary Club donated funding for new projector and speakers at Marshall Road Elementary School. Front row: Jim Marshall of Vienna Rotary, administrative assistant Heather Hazard, Daniella Schutzengel of Rotary, MRES principal Jennifer Heiges and assistant principal Gary Hinson. Back row: Howard Svigals of Rotary, third-grade teacher Phyllis Zukas, and art teacher Ginny Kinsey.
On April 13, a Marshall Road Elementary School third-grade class hosted a multi-media presentation on pre-earthquake Haiti. Under the direction of the school’s art teacher, Ginny Kinsey, the children in Phyllis Zukas’ class composed a poem describing what Haiti is like. The event included photographs, music accompanying the slides and narration by the students. Zukas’ class gathered around the screen as the short presentation played. The Vienna Rotary Club paid for the projector and speakers, making the movie possible, and three members of the club were present at the premiere...
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Study of teen cellphone use reinforces impression that they're always using them
Study of teen cellphone use reinforces impression that they're always using them: "The cellphone -- that be-all of teen life -- is ever more indispensable to the youngest generation, embraced not just for calling friends and sending a barrage of text messages but also increasingly for playing games, snapping photos, sharing videos, listening to music and going online.
Green Expo Returns
Green Expo Returns: "
Exhibitors showcase means to conserve energy, natural resources. Last yeara s Green Expo, Viennaa s first-ever, drew hundreds of visitors and filled up the community centera s auditorium.
Monday, April 19, 2010
How writing improves reading skills--study
How writing improves reading skills--study: "Reading has long been recognized as a way to improve a student’s writing. A new study says the reverse -- that writing can improve reading skills as well as content learning -- is equally true, and identifies three ways that teachers and even parents can help students make the connection. The study, published by the Alliance for Excellent Education, comes at a time when many students are not reading and writing well enough to meet grade-level expectations. Recent results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the national standardized test sometimes called “the nation’s report card,” showed that nearly 70 percent of the nation’s eighth graders do not read at the proficient, or highest level.
"
Fairfax budget has small tax hike, avoids major school cuts
Fairfax budget has small tax hike, avoids major school cuts: "Fairfax County homeowners' property tax rate will rise, but not as much as initially thought, and its public schools will have to make do with slightly less under a budget agreement to be unveiled Friday that relies on better-than-expected state aid and the reinstatement of a local car registrati..."
Washington area's top education bloggers
Washington area's top education bloggers: "[This is my Local Living section column for April 15, 2010.] Several weeks ago, my blogging colleague Valerie Strauss (The Answer Sheet) and I announced our picks for best education blogs of this year. Our favorites were a diverse bunch, with many witty teachers, incisive journalists and droll experts of other kinds providing unusual perspectives. But Washington area education bloggers were severely under(represented. I found only two, one in Fairfax County and one in the District, who had the acidity and depth I craved. Since then, the more I read those two blogs, www.assortedstuff.com by Tim Stahmer and GFBrandenburg's Blog by Guy Brandenburg, the more impressed I am by their erudition, energy and skill at undermining my most cherished ideas. So I feel obliged to introduce them to readers who see my stuff only here in the newspaper, not online. At the same time, I beg Web surfers to...
Sunday, April 18, 2010
ScreamFree Parenting - Parenting that Creates Calm Connections in your Family:
ScreamFree Parenting - Parenting that Creates Calm Connections in your Family:
Join the MR PTA on May 11 from 7:30-9 at Marshall Road ES for a workshop presented by Neil McNerney -- learn how to maintain a peaceful home. Articles of interest on the Scream Free Parenting Workshop:
Join the MR PTA on May 11 from 7:30-9 at Marshall Road ES for a workshop presented by Neil McNerney -- learn how to maintain a peaceful home. Articles of interest on the Scream Free Parenting Workshop:
Ask the Expert: My Pre-Teen's Level of Privacy |
| Am I Really a Proud Parent? |
| Ask the Expert: Kids and Money Troubles |
Friday, April 16, 2010
Fairfax Budget has small tax hike, avoids major school cuts
By Fredrick Kunkle
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 16, 2010
Fairfax County homeowners' property tax rate will rise, but not as much as initially thought, and its public schools will have to make do with slightly less under a budget agreement to be unveiled Friday that relies on better-than-expected state aid and the reinstatement of a local car registration fee.
Although the board's majority has agreed to trim funding to county schools by $16 million, or about 1 percent of its contribution in the last budget, county and schools officials say Fairfax County Public Schools should have sufficient money to avoid drastic cuts in its programs or boosting class size.
But for the second consecutive year, the Board of Supervisors' final draft budget calls for $90 million in cuts. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, the budget draft includes cuts that will eliminate about 176 positions through layoffs and attrition, force libraries to shorten hours, and reduce other services.
Last year, the county also eliminated positions, which resulted in reassignments to unfilled slots and layoffs of about seven salaried employees. And, the county imposed a one-day furlough on all employees except those in the schools.
At a time when governments throughout the region are imposing furloughs and layoffs because of the economic downturn, a majority of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors have reached a consensus on closing a $257.2 million gap in fiscal 2011 through a mix of higher taxes, fees, the consolidation of certain agencies and the elimination of some services.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon S. Bulova (D), who heads the budget committee, said the average homeowner will save $40 a year on property tax bills. Her draft, which was assembled after one-on-one meetings with supervisors and dozens of community forums, will be presented at a workshop Friday. The final markup is Tuesday.
"If you are a homeowner struggling to pay your mortgage, we have not increased your mortgage payment," Bulova said. "We have attempted to keep people in their homes."
Supervisor Pat S. Herrity (R-Springfield), who is not part of the consensus group, the draft fell short in trying to reduce the taxpayers' burden.
"I don't think we should be socking our residents with taxes," Herrity said by telephone while campaigning in a Republican primary for the nomination to challenge Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Fairfax). "Taxes have doubled between 2000 and 2007. We need tax relief."
The board, which had formally indicated it might raise property taxes as much as 12 cents, instead would raise taxes five cents to $1.09 per $100 of assessed value. Because residential property assessments have fallen by 5.56 percent, the average homeowner, whose assessment is about $413,305, would pay $40 less.
But that same homeowner would also pay more to register vehicles. The re-imposition of the car registration fee represents the return of the so-called "decal tax" but without the actual decal that drivers used to affix to windshields to prove that the tax was paid. Under the draft budget, motorists would pay $33 per vehicle, raising $27 million. The fee was eliminated under Connolly when he was the board's chairman.
In addition to the car registration fee and the property tax, other levies will rise. A tax designed to protect the Chesapeake Bay by upgrading storm-water drainage systems will add an additional half a cent to property tax bills. Sewer taxes would also rise 17 percent, costing the average homeowner about $90 more a year.
Bulova said the higher taxes and the car registration fee will spare cuts to popular services. At community forums, people repeatedly said they would prefer to pay more in taxes to maintain the quality of the county's schools and other services, she said.
Among the threatened cuts that have been restored in the final draft are police officers assigned to middle schools; several mental health and social service programs; and connector bus service, such as the RIBS line in the Reston area and the REX line on the Richmond Highway.
The county was able to restore some anticipated cuts because of a decision earlier this year by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) and the General Assembly to unfreeze a school funding formula, known as the Local Composite Index. That action returned $61 million to Fairfax County. State officials also spared schools from deeper cuts by reducing contributions to the state retirement account. But the savings will have to be repaid, starting in fiscal 2013. That's why county and school officials will set aside about $45 million in reserve.
Staff writer Michael Alison Chandler contributed to this report.
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 16, 2010
Fairfax County homeowners' property tax rate will rise, but not as much as initially thought, and its public schools will have to make do with slightly less under a budget agreement to be unveiled Friday that relies on better-than-expected state aid and the reinstatement of a local car registration fee.
Although the board's majority has agreed to trim funding to county schools by $16 million, or about 1 percent of its contribution in the last budget, county and schools officials say Fairfax County Public Schools should have sufficient money to avoid drastic cuts in its programs or boosting class size.
But for the second consecutive year, the Board of Supervisors' final draft budget calls for $90 million in cuts. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, the budget draft includes cuts that will eliminate about 176 positions through layoffs and attrition, force libraries to shorten hours, and reduce other services.
Last year, the county also eliminated positions, which resulted in reassignments to unfilled slots and layoffs of about seven salaried employees. And, the county imposed a one-day furlough on all employees except those in the schools.
At a time when governments throughout the region are imposing furloughs and layoffs because of the economic downturn, a majority of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors have reached a consensus on closing a $257.2 million gap in fiscal 2011 through a mix of higher taxes, fees, the consolidation of certain agencies and the elimination of some services.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon S. Bulova (D), who heads the budget committee, said the average homeowner will save $40 a year on property tax bills. Her draft, which was assembled after one-on-one meetings with supervisors and dozens of community forums, will be presented at a workshop Friday. The final markup is Tuesday.
"If you are a homeowner struggling to pay your mortgage, we have not increased your mortgage payment," Bulova said. "We have attempted to keep people in their homes."
Supervisor Pat S. Herrity (R-Springfield), who is not part of the consensus group, the draft fell short in trying to reduce the taxpayers' burden.
"I don't think we should be socking our residents with taxes," Herrity said by telephone while campaigning in a Republican primary for the nomination to challenge Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Fairfax). "Taxes have doubled between 2000 and 2007. We need tax relief."
The board, which had formally indicated it might raise property taxes as much as 12 cents, instead would raise taxes five cents to $1.09 per $100 of assessed value. Because residential property assessments have fallen by 5.56 percent, the average homeowner, whose assessment is about $413,305, would pay $40 less.
But that same homeowner would also pay more to register vehicles. The re-imposition of the car registration fee represents the return of the so-called "decal tax" but without the actual decal that drivers used to affix to windshields to prove that the tax was paid. Under the draft budget, motorists would pay $33 per vehicle, raising $27 million. The fee was eliminated under Connolly when he was the board's chairman.
In addition to the car registration fee and the property tax, other levies will rise. A tax designed to protect the Chesapeake Bay by upgrading storm-water drainage systems will add an additional half a cent to property tax bills. Sewer taxes would also rise 17 percent, costing the average homeowner about $90 more a year.
Bulova said the higher taxes and the car registration fee will spare cuts to popular services. At community forums, people repeatedly said they would prefer to pay more in taxes to maintain the quality of the county's schools and other services, she said.
Among the threatened cuts that have been restored in the final draft are police officers assigned to middle schools; several mental health and social service programs; and connector bus service, such as the RIBS line in the Reston area and the REX line on the Richmond Highway.
The county was able to restore some anticipated cuts because of a decision earlier this year by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) and the General Assembly to unfreeze a school funding formula, known as the Local Composite Index. That action returned $61 million to Fairfax County. State officials also spared schools from deeper cuts by reducing contributions to the state retirement account. But the savings will have to be repaid, starting in fiscal 2013. That's why county and school officials will set aside about $45 million in reserve.
Staff writer Michael Alison Chandler contributed to this report.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
McDonnell urges Assembly not to allow local government employee pension shift
McDonnell urges Assembly not to allow local government employee pension shift: "Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) is slowly releasing more information about amendments to the state's two-year budget that he will recommend to the General Assembly. He announced this afternoon that he will ask the General Assembly to revoke authority it had planned to extend to local governments to shift part of employee retirement payments to the employee. The state has long required that local governments pay the 5 percent payroll contribution to pension plans for teachers, police officers and sheriff's deputies, matching the state's practice for its employees. The General Assembly this year had agreed to allow local governments to shift some of those costs to their employees. The shift could have saved money for localities that elected to exercise the new option but would have hit their employees, many of whom are facing pay freezes and furloughs.
Meager Gains on NAEP Reading Assessments
Meager Gains on NAEP Reading Assessments: "
Dear Deborah,
In my book I argue that No Child Left Behind was a failed strategy. We both know the reasons why. It narrowed the curriculum; it introduced a culture of testing and test prepping into the nation's schools; it represented an unprecedented extension of federal control into the nation's schools; it required teaching to what are admittedly inadequate tests; it demanded an unrealistic goal of 100 percent proficiency for all children in all groups; it encouraged states to inflate their scores; it promoted cheating and gaming the system; and it harmed public education because no state was able to reach the law's utopian goal.
I further argued, based on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data from 2003 onward, that NCLB did not even produce significantly higher test scores. The gains in math and in 4th grade reading were significant, but not as large as the gains recorded prior to implementation of NCLB. If so much time and money was invested in these subjects, why did the rate of improvement slow down?
Now the NAEP reading scores for 2009 are out, and the news for NCLB is bad. Reading scores in 4th grade were unchanged since 2007 and up by 1 point in 8th grade. The report says in large type that the 1-point increase from 2007 to 2009 is significant, but the graph shows that student scores for this grade are exactly the same as they were in 1998. The scale score in 1998 was 264. The scale score in 2009 was 264. These are the NCLB babies. This is the generation that has been tested every year since 3rd grade. Their scores are no higher today than their counterparts in 1998...
Allergies can affect kids' grades
Allergies can affect kids' grades: "School nurses are sending home notes to parents that they are seeing more children with symptoms of allergies. For many students, they are more than just an irritant. Allergies can affect how well they do at school. Researchers in the United Kingdom did a study published in 2007that showed that seasonal allergic rhinitis--a common allergy--affected performance on national exams of 1,834 students aged 15 to 17.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Marshall Road PTA Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, April 13, 2010, 7:00-8:30 pm
MR Cafeteria
- Call Meeting to Order
- Acknowledgements: Barbara Rousseau for International Night, Kristen Gray, Dining for Dollars, Susan Hotsenpiller and Gina Womack for tracking legislation, Missy and Brian Walsh for the spirit wear program
- Upcoming: April: Earth Day, Spring Sprint, Family Fun Night and Book Fair, May: Teacher Appreciation Week; May 7th, faculty basketball game vs. Eagle View ES; Scream Free Parenting Workshop following May PTA meeting at 7:30 May 11th; SOLs May 17-June4
- Announcements:
- May 11th PTA meeting: 1/2 hour for elections and other business and a parent education workshop from 7:30-9:00 called: Scream Free Parenting.
- Thoreau Play
April 22, 23, and 24, Oklahoma! - Book Fair Hours / Volunteer Sign Up
- Donation to the Fissell Foundation
- May 11th PTA meeting: 1/2 hour for elections and other business and a parent education workshop from 7:30-9:00 called: Scream Free Parenting.
- Acknowledgements: Barbara Rousseau for International Night, Kristen Gray, Dining for Dollars, Susan Hotsenpiller and Gina Womack for tracking legislation, Missy and Brian Walsh for the spirit wear program
- March Minutes -- Laura Schultz
- Principal's Report -- Jen Heiges
- Treasurer's Report / Notes -- Susan Vouvalis
- Committee Chair Reports
- Family Fun Night and Silent Auction Update – Nellie Hatch
- Earth Day Events – Carol Scruggs
- EduKit Update – Lauren Saadat
- Teacher Appreciation Week Information – Kathryn Reimer / Dena Carter
- Spirit Wear -- Missy Walsh
- Legislation -- Susan Hotsenpiller / www.marshallroadpta.org/legislation.html
- Family Fun Night and Silent Auction Update – Nellie Hatch
- New Business
- Bylaws Change for 2 Treasurers – Susan Vouvalis
- Moving line items to support Partners in Print Reading Program – Susan Vouvalis
- Dedicated Fundraising Discussion: Track, Teacher Wish Lists, Technology, other – put on agenda for Spring Roundtable Session to discuss in-depth
- Bylaws Change for 2 Treasurers – Susan Vouvalis
- Unfinished Business
- Nominating Committee presents the proposed PTA slate -- Becky Kong, Beth Eachus and Rita Monner
- PTA Survey for 2010 (2009 survey is linked) – Beth Eachus
- Pay online service discussion. godaddy.com, eScrip, joomla, costco, paypal, and pay4stuff online
- Committee Chair / Volunteer Opportunities (see list – pass around)
- Spring PTA Roundtable Session: Steering Committee needed, Tuesday, June 1, 7-9pm.
- Cultural Arts Committee –Volunteers Needed
- Directory Committee – Volunteers welcomed
- Box Tops Manager
- Many Others!
- Spring PTA Roundtable Session: Steering Committee needed, Tuesday, June 1, 7-9pm.
- Nominating Committee presents the proposed PTA slate -- Becky Kong, Beth Eachus and Rita Monner
- 8:30pm: Closing Announcements and Adjournment
Next Meeting Tuesday, May 11, 2010, Cafeteria, 7-7:30 – Scream Free Parenting: 7:30-9:00pm, MR Cafeteria
Friday, April 9, 2010
The Bottom Line - April 9, 2010 - FCPS
The Bottom Line - April 9, 2010 - FCPS
Budget Recap: Where We Are Now
As a result of recent actions approved by Virginia’s General Assembly, Kathy Smith, School Board chair, has requested that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors fund the school transfer at the same level as FY 2010, despite the county executive’s recommendation of a 1 percent decrease in the transfer to the school system.
At the Board of Supervisors' April 6 public hearing, Smith’s testimony highlighted FCPS’ efficiency and fiscal responsibility:
•Over the past two years, FCPS has taken reductions and cost avoidances exceeding $265 million and eliminated more than 1,200 positions. In addition, FCPS increased class size by one student and reduced teaching positions. The school system redesigned programs including summer school and college success and adjusted bus routes and bell schedules to achieve greater efficiencies. No employee received a salary increase this year. The per-pupil allocation principals received to operate their schools this year is the same amount they received in 2007, and it will be even lower next year. Per-pupil spending has continued to decline as FCPS’ enrollment has increased by thousands.
•Even with a level transfer, the School Board’s advertised budget still includes reduced services and programs for the coming school year. These cuts include a reduction of more than 200 positions (nearly half from central office support); a salary freeze for all employees; a reduction of custodial support; the closing of Pimmit Hills Alternative High School; the elimination of summer school except for some special education students and credit recovery to ensure graduation; the elimination of the extended school day and modified elementary school calendar; and a 15 percent reduction in supplies and textbooks. In addition to these reductions, fees will be instituted for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and PSAT tests and for Virginia High School League sports participation.
Click on the link to read the rest: The Bottom Line - April 9, 2010 - FCPS
Budget Recap: Where We Are Now
As a result of recent actions approved by Virginia’s General Assembly, Kathy Smith, School Board chair, has requested that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors fund the school transfer at the same level as FY 2010, despite the county executive’s recommendation of a 1 percent decrease in the transfer to the school system.
At the Board of Supervisors' April 6 public hearing, Smith’s testimony highlighted FCPS’ efficiency and fiscal responsibility:
•Over the past two years, FCPS has taken reductions and cost avoidances exceeding $265 million and eliminated more than 1,200 positions. In addition, FCPS increased class size by one student and reduced teaching positions. The school system redesigned programs including summer school and college success and adjusted bus routes and bell schedules to achieve greater efficiencies. No employee received a salary increase this year. The per-pupil allocation principals received to operate their schools this year is the same amount they received in 2007, and it will be even lower next year. Per-pupil spending has continued to decline as FCPS’ enrollment has increased by thousands.
•Even with a level transfer, the School Board’s advertised budget still includes reduced services and programs for the coming school year. These cuts include a reduction of more than 200 positions (nearly half from central office support); a salary freeze for all employees; a reduction of custodial support; the closing of Pimmit Hills Alternative High School; the elimination of summer school except for some special education students and credit recovery to ensure graduation; the elimination of the extended school day and modified elementary school calendar; and a 15 percent reduction in supplies and textbooks. In addition to these reductions, fees will be instituted for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and PSAT tests and for Virginia High School League sports participation.
Click on the link to read the rest: The Bottom Line - April 9, 2010 - FCPS
FCPS Board Chair Remarks to FC Board of Supervisors
http://www.fcps.edu/news/fy2011/BOSspeech040610.pdf
Follow this link to read Kathy Smith's presentation to the Board of Supervisors on the school budget -- presented April 6. Excerpt follows:
As I listened to the hundreds of speakers over three nights of budget public hearings in January, a common theme emerged: "I chose to live in Fairfax County because of the schools." Let me share a few of their comments with you:
A Hunters Woods Elementary School student said that his parents moved from St. Louis three years ago, "partly because my parents heard of the excellent Fairfax County Public Schools, which are known across the country."
A parent who chose Fairfax County because of the schools is now concerned
that programs that drew him to FCPS might be cut. He said, "If we strip the
schools of these programs, this county loses one of its greatest distinctions and with it a competitive edge over neighboring counties for potential businesses and residents."
A mother said, "Why do people come to Fairfax County? They don't come for the beautiful scenery, although we have some. They don't come because it is inexpensive to live here. They certainly don't come because their commutes are easier. They come because of our outstanding schools and the culture the schools create."
Click the link at the beginning of this article to read her full remarks.
Follow this link to read Kathy Smith's presentation to the Board of Supervisors on the school budget -- presented April 6. Excerpt follows:
As I listened to the hundreds of speakers over three nights of budget public hearings in January, a common theme emerged: "I chose to live in Fairfax County because of the schools." Let me share a few of their comments with you:
A Hunters Woods Elementary School student said that his parents moved from St. Louis three years ago, "partly because my parents heard of the excellent Fairfax County Public Schools, which are known across the country."
A parent who chose Fairfax County because of the schools is now concerned
that programs that drew him to FCPS might be cut. He said, "If we strip the
schools of these programs, this county loses one of its greatest distinctions and with it a competitive edge over neighboring counties for potential businesses and residents."
A mother said, "Why do people come to Fairfax County? They don't come for the beautiful scenery, although we have some. They don't come because it is inexpensive to live here. They certainly don't come because their commutes are easier. They come because of our outstanding schools and the culture the schools create."
Click the link at the beginning of this article to read her full remarks.
Respite Day for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children Set for May 15
Respite Day for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children Set for May 15: "Grandparents and other relatives raising children can take part in a respite day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, at two locations in Fairfax County."
Kids gone wild, parents gone missing
This article asks a particularly relevant question: if the parents read and accessed their kids' texts and Facebook pages, they would have known, without a doubt, what their kids were doing. Maybe they don't care -- we'll never know. Is your kid a bully online? On his or her phone? Have you checked your student's FB/texts recently? Well, what are you waiting for?
Kids gone wild, parents gone missing: "At South Hadley High, kids went wild. But where were the parents?
Kids gone wild, parents gone missing: "At South Hadley High, kids went wild. But where were the parents?
Why great teachers matter to low-income students
Why great teachers matter to low-income students: "They're crucial -- and here's how to get better ones.
Korean Bell Garden Grows
Korean Bell Garden Grows: "
Meadowlark to showcase cultural icon. Korean Ambassador Dr. Duk-soo Han and more than 50 other volunteers dug in - literally - to celebrate the dedication of the new 4.7-acre Korean bell garden at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.
Meadowlark to showcase cultural icon. Korean Ambassador Dr. Duk-soo Han and more than 50 other volunteers dug in - literally - to celebrate the dedication of the new 4.7-acre Korean bell garden at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.
Commentary: Isn't It Obvious? - Fairfax Connection
Commentary: Isn't It Obvious? - Fairfax Connection: "
"
Commentary: Isn't It Obvious? Fairfax Connection ... that the Local Composite Index (LCI) for school funding that finally adjusted to Fairfax County's favor not be frozen at last year's level granting us ... and more » |
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Southwest Vienna Neighborhood Association - RSS Feed
You can subscribe to this RSS Feed on any computer with an RSS-compatible program installed, such as Microsoft Office Outlook 2007. To view and subscribe to this RSS Feed, copy and paste the following Web address into your Web browser:
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Northrop Grumman narrows choices for its Washington area headquarters
Northrop Grumman narrows choices for its Washington area headquarters: "Northrop Grumman, whose plan to relocate its West Coast headquarters to the Washington area has spurred a high-stakes competition among local governments, has narrowed its choices to Arlington, Fairfax and Montgomery counties, according to several sources in government and real estate."
Bullying is a Big Problem
Bullying is on the Rise...learn more from the Virginia PTA
Click the link for bullying webisodes for children: http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/webisodes/default.aspx
Virginia PTA - Health & Safety
Click the link for bullying webisodes for children: http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/webisodes/default.aspx
Virginia PTA - Health & Safety
Parents spending more time with teens, college race blamed
Parents spending more time with teens, college race blamed: "Two economists who work 2,274 miles away have identified the essence of parenthood in the Washington area since 1995. It turns out we have been spending all that time with our older children — chauffeuring, applauding, coordinating, correcting, planning, obsessing — because we have a deep need to beat the other stressed-out parents in getting our kids into good colleges. The researchers are Garey and Valerie A. Ramey, a married couple at the University of California-San Diego. They have done the hyper-active parent thing themselves and have a son at Stanford University to show for it. They also admit that most of this exhaustive parenting is done not by men but by women, including, by her own account, Ms. Ramey herself. To sum up, college-graduate soccer moms are trying to outdo all the other soccer moms to get their children into a good school so their daughters can repeat...
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Make strong anti-bullying programs mandatory in schools
Make strong anti-bullying programs mandatory in schools: "More than 40 states have some sort of law that makes bullying illegal, yet the harassment of young kids by their classmates remains common. According to the latest U.S. government statistics, about one-third of students aged 12-18 say they are bullied in some fashion, and it wouldn’t be surprising if that statistic is low. And here we are again, with the fallout from an egregious bullying situation in Massachusetts. Phoebe Prince, 15, took her own life in January after months of being bullied by other kids. Now nine teens face charges for bullying her, including a group of girls charged with stalking, criminal harassment and violating the girl’s civil rights. Sadly, this is just one of several suicides of young people over the past year who had been bullied by classmates.
"
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Jonathan Mooney | Author. Public Speaker. Different.
Jonathan Mooney Author. Public Speaker. Different.
He spoke at the FCPS special education conference on Saturday. Excellent, engaging, funny -- Different, NOT deficient. Check out his website and resources.
He spoke at the FCPS special education conference on Saturday. Excellent, engaging, funny -- Different, NOT deficient. Check out his website and resources.
Marshall Road Spirit Week
Monday: Character / Career Day
Tuesday: Sports Day
Wednesday: Mix or Match Twin Day
Thursday: PJ Day
Friday: Marshall Road Day
Tuesday: Sports Day
Wednesday: Mix or Match Twin Day
Thursday: PJ Day
Friday: Marshall Road Day
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Fairfax County schools have sunnier budget outlook
Fairfax County schools have sunnier budget outlook: "The dire forecast for Fairfax County's schools brightened after state lawmakers approved a budget last weekend that funnels new resources to local schools."
2010 General Assembly Session Highlights
2010 General Assembly Session Highlights: "
This is a document prepared by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services that describes some of the major legislative actions taken by the General Assembly during our regular session of 2010: http://dls.state.va.us/pubs/hilights/2010/Highlights2010.pdf
Highlights2010"Fairfax School Board shrinks budget request
Fairfax County school officials decreased their budget request to county supervisors by $80 million Tuesday, but spikes in class sizes and cuts to sports programs remain on the table as they grapple with funding for the county's so-called crown jewel.
Superintendent Jack Dale told supervisors the school board is no longer seeking an $82 million bump in funding from the county, as the school board requested last month. Instead, the school system will use more than $100 million saved in contributions to the Virginia Retirement System — the state General Assembly eased payment requirements for counties in the budget it approved Sunday -- to fill gaping holes for a school system routinely cited as the magnet for county residents.
Coupled with an expected surge in state funding, school officials say the budget isn't as dire as feared and requested the county maintain the money provided this year.
"We're plugging next year's budget with one-time money," said Dale, warning of fluctuations in the state's formula for determining school aid.
Still, some supervisors said the school board isn't doing enough to fix its financial woes, while Northern Virginia's largest suburb is poised to lay off police, slash library hours and gut bus routes serving thousands of residents.
"I don't think they've done an honest assessment on the school side," said Supervisor Pat Herrity, R-Springfield. "It's just throw out some popular programs and wait for the money to show up."
Under the school board's budget, most summer school programs would be eliminated, supplies and textbook funding cut by 15 percent, and employee salaries frozen.
School board members say if the county slashes schools funding by $16 million -- as County Executive Anthony Griffin proposed last month -- class sizes could grow.
Under the proposal, the county would spend $9,277 per student, down from $9,660 in fiscal 2009. It would mark the third straight year of budget cuts, highlighted by increasingly cramped classrooms, fewer Advanced Placement options and special education reductions.
Supervisors are scheduled to hold budget hearings next month, when they are expected to adopt Dale's $2.3 billion budget.
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Fairfax-superintendent-tells-county-schools-need-less-money-87885267.html#ixzz0iSTE2ZvC
Superintendent Jack Dale told supervisors the school board is no longer seeking an $82 million bump in funding from the county, as the school board requested last month. Instead, the school system will use more than $100 million saved in contributions to the Virginia Retirement System — the state General Assembly eased payment requirements for counties in the budget it approved Sunday -- to fill gaping holes for a school system routinely cited as the magnet for county residents.
Coupled with an expected surge in state funding, school officials say the budget isn't as dire as feared and requested the county maintain the money provided this year.
"We're plugging next year's budget with one-time money," said Dale, warning of fluctuations in the state's formula for determining school aid.
Still, some supervisors said the school board isn't doing enough to fix its financial woes, while Northern Virginia's largest suburb is poised to lay off police, slash library hours and gut bus routes serving thousands of residents.
"I don't think they've done an honest assessment on the school side," said Supervisor Pat Herrity, R-Springfield. "It's just throw out some popular programs and wait for the money to show up."
Under the school board's budget, most summer school programs would be eliminated, supplies and textbook funding cut by 15 percent, and employee salaries frozen.
School board members say if the county slashes schools funding by $16 million -- as County Executive Anthony Griffin proposed last month -- class sizes could grow.
Under the proposal, the county would spend $9,277 per student, down from $9,660 in fiscal 2009. It would mark the third straight year of budget cuts, highlighted by increasingly cramped classrooms, fewer Advanced Placement options and special education reductions.
Supervisors are scheduled to hold budget hearings next month, when they are expected to adopt Dale's $2.3 billion budget.
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Fairfax-superintendent-tells-county-schools-need-less-money-87885267.html#ixzz0iSTE2ZvC
Fairfax officials outline deep cuts under VA budget
As local governments continue to pore over the General Assembly's new budget to assess the impact for the next two years, the early reviews were mixed, at least in Fairfax County.
Fairfax schools superintendent Jack Dale told county supervisors Tuesday that despite a decision to unfreeze a key school-funding formula that would have cost the county even more, Virginia's largest school district will still have to cut back almost across the board. And he expressed concern that the cuts spelled out by the budget are likely to far outlast the two-year budget cycle.
"These are permanent," Dale said. "Nothing's coming back in two years."
Facing net reduction of $47.8 million and rising enrollment, the district will have to trim more than 200 jobs, particularly among administrative and custodial staff, close an alternative high school, eliminate summer school, charge high school student athletes $100 to play a sport, boost the cost of renting school facilities for community uses, and freeze teacher salaries. Central office staff alone will shed nearly 100 jobs, saving the district $7.2 million.
But schools officials and county officials also panned a central component of lawmakers' strategy for saving money by reducing contributions to the state's retirement plan. The state will contribute only about half of what it was set to contribute next year.
County supervisor Jeff McKay, a Democrat representing the Lee district, called General Assembly's fiscal maneuvers "shenanigans," and Deputy County Executive Edward Long called it "gamesmanship." They agreed underfunding pensions now amounts to borrowing from the future. State and local governments will have to make up for the underfunding beginning in fiscal 2013, which for Fairfax County would mean coming up with about $70 million.
But Dale, appearing at a meeting with the school board and the Board of Supervisors, said the outcome could have been worse.
If the General Assembly had gone ahead with former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's proposal to freeze the local composite index, or LCI, Fairfax County would have received $61 million less. By recalculating that index and restoring the funds, the school district's proposed budget will not have to increase class size as school administrators initially planned. The district will also be able to spare about 400 jobs.
County supervisor John W. Foust, a Democrat representing the Dranesville district, said he was grateful the General Assembly and Gov. Robert F. McDonnell agreed to unfreeze the LCI, but he said education and human services were still severely unfunded. The changes to the Virginia Retirement System worry him more.
"I think they are creating a very serious potential crisis for our state by grossly underfunding the VRS," Foust said. "They're failing to meet the needs of the community. And we didn't even talk about transportation."
-- Fredrick Kunkle
Fairfax schools superintendent Jack Dale told county supervisors Tuesday that despite a decision to unfreeze a key school-funding formula that would have cost the county even more, Virginia's largest school district will still have to cut back almost across the board. And he expressed concern that the cuts spelled out by the budget are likely to far outlast the two-year budget cycle.
"These are permanent," Dale said. "Nothing's coming back in two years."
Facing net reduction of $47.8 million and rising enrollment, the district will have to trim more than 200 jobs, particularly among administrative and custodial staff, close an alternative high school, eliminate summer school, charge high school student athletes $100 to play a sport, boost the cost of renting school facilities for community uses, and freeze teacher salaries. Central office staff alone will shed nearly 100 jobs, saving the district $7.2 million.
But schools officials and county officials also panned a central component of lawmakers' strategy for saving money by reducing contributions to the state's retirement plan. The state will contribute only about half of what it was set to contribute next year.
County supervisor Jeff McKay, a Democrat representing the Lee district, called General Assembly's fiscal maneuvers "shenanigans," and Deputy County Executive Edward Long called it "gamesmanship." They agreed underfunding pensions now amounts to borrowing from the future. State and local governments will have to make up for the underfunding beginning in fiscal 2013, which for Fairfax County would mean coming up with about $70 million.
But Dale, appearing at a meeting with the school board and the Board of Supervisors, said the outcome could have been worse.
If the General Assembly had gone ahead with former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's proposal to freeze the local composite index, or LCI, Fairfax County would have received $61 million less. By recalculating that index and restoring the funds, the school district's proposed budget will not have to increase class size as school administrators initially planned. The district will also be able to spare about 400 jobs.
County supervisor John W. Foust, a Democrat representing the Dranesville district, said he was grateful the General Assembly and Gov. Robert F. McDonnell agreed to unfreeze the LCI, but he said education and human services were still severely unfunded. The changes to the Virginia Retirement System worry him more.
"I think they are creating a very serious potential crisis for our state by grossly underfunding the VRS," Foust said. "They're failing to meet the needs of the community. And we didn't even talk about transportation."
-- Fredrick Kunkle
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Local Counties prepare for brutal cuts in services
"In Virginia, area leaders say they have heard a chorus of pleas from residents to raise taxes rather than slash more services.
"The message they gave us loud and clear was 'If you have to raise taxes, do it,' " said Sharon Bulova, chairwoman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. " 'We don't want to see the quality of education and other services decrease.' "
Fairfax County, which has a similar operating budget as Montgomery, is facing a $257 million shortfall -- the most severe in Northern Virginia -- forcing officials to consider dozens of layoffs, including police officers, eliminating bus routes and doling out $98 million less than the county's school board requested.
Sinking home values are hardly a reprieve for taxpayers, as counties are proposing higher property taxes to fill the coffers left emptied by plunging assessments."
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Region_s-residents-face-major-cuts-in-service_-higher-taxes-87524377.html#ixzz0iFhdADum
"The message they gave us loud and clear was 'If you have to raise taxes, do it,' " said Sharon Bulova, chairwoman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. " 'We don't want to see the quality of education and other services decrease.' "
Fairfax County, which has a similar operating budget as Montgomery, is facing a $257 million shortfall -- the most severe in Northern Virginia -- forcing officials to consider dozens of layoffs, including police officers, eliminating bus routes and doling out $98 million less than the county's school board requested.
Sinking home values are hardly a reprieve for taxpayers, as counties are proposing higher property taxes to fill the coffers left emptied by plunging assessments."
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Region_s-residents-face-major-cuts-in-service_-higher-taxes-87524377.html#ixzz0iFhdADum
Fairfax County Superintendent Jack Dale on Kojo Namdi NPR show
Jack Dale discusses FY11 proposed budget and impact to school system
House, Senate pass Virginia's two-year spending plan
House, Senate pass Virginia's two-year spending plan: "The General Assembly passed a two-year $82 billion state spending plan tonight that includes deep cuts to education, health care and public safety as legislators struggled to offset a $4 billion budget shortfall. 'I cannot recall a budget that was a tough as this one,' Finance Committee Chairman Charles J. Colgan (D-Prince William) told his colleagues, noting he's been a conferee for 19 years. The Senate passed the budget 34-6; the House passed it 73-23. Lawmakers have been dealing the worst economic downturn in decades. 'Despite the fiscal challenges we faced, the House and Senate conferees started the conference committee with a shared commitment to approving a state budget that does not contain a tax increase,'' House Appropriations Chairman Lacey Putney (I-Bedford) said. Funding for schools will drop $646 million over the next two years; the state will also cut more than $1 billion from health programs. Class sizes will"
Obama and NCLB: The good--and very bad--news
Obama and NCLB: The good--and very bad--news: "George Bush could have not realized how much of a friend President Obama would be to his No Child Left Behind initiative. Obama bashed NCLB when he was running for president, saying that obsession with high-stakes standardized tests was no way to run an education system. But Saturday we learned the vision that Obama and his education secretary, Arne Duncan, have for the post-NCLB era, and, unfortunately, it doesn’t look much different.
State will dip into pension fund, repay with 7.5% interest
State will dip into pension fund, repay with 7.5% interest: "Virginia is taking away more than $620 million that would have been paid toward state employee and teacher pensions, but the state is leaving an IOU. Beginning in 2013, the state will have to repay the money to the Virginia Retirement System over 10 years, with 7.5 percent interest. The provision, sought by the state Senate and included in the joint budget adopted by the General Assembly yesterday, is aimed at easing jitters over the decision to defer state and local payments to pension plans for the portion of future retirement liabilities that aren’t funded by the system."
Lawmakers approve two-year, $70 billion budget
Lawmakers approve two-year, $70 billion budget: "The 2010 General Assembly adjourned yesterday, one day later than scheduled, after speedy approval by weary lawmakers of a $70 billion-plus budget-balancing plan. The budget doesn’t raise taxes, prunes spending for education and health care, and erases a $4.2 billion shortfall with new fees and a giant cash grab from the public-employee pension."
Some victories, much pain in Va. General Assembly session
Some victories, much pain in Va. General Assembly session: "RICHMOND It's hard to find anything positive about a Virginia General Assembly session where the main business at hand was cutting $4 billion in public services to balance the budget.
Schools, health care, public safety lose millions in Va. budget
Schools, health care, public safety lose millions in Va. budget: "RICHMOND -- The Virginia General Assembly adjourned its annual legislative session Sunday evening after adopting a two-year, $82 billion budget that cuts millions from education, health care and public safety -- curtailing state spending more aggressively than any in generations while fulfilling the...
State Budget Takes Shape on Session's Final Day - WTVR
State Budget Takes Shape on Session's Final Day - WTVR: "
"
 Roanoke Times | State Budget Takes Shape on Session's Final Day WTVR "If you take these state cuts, to make up for them in [wealthy] Fairfax County you only have to raise taxes two cents. In Lee County, which is our poorest ... Budget deal reachedThe Virginian-Pilot all 40 news articles » |
Saturday, March 13, 2010
House and Senate negotiators say budget deal is close
House and Senate negotiators say budget deal is close: "House and Senate negotiators inched closer late Friday to reaching a deal on Virginia's two-year budget, which will likely allow the General Assembly to pass the spending plan this weekend. They say they have come to general terms on which proposed fees to eliminate and how much to spend on key areas, including K-12 education and public safety. But legislators did not release details of the deal, saying they were still in flux. Much of the negotiations took place privately in a small meeting room in the General Assembly Building. State law requires budget conferees to meet in public if more than six (three from each chamber) are present, but Sen. Ed Houck, a conferee and vice chairman of the FOIA advisory council, said they left the door ajar for anyone to come in. They will continue to work Friday night and Saturday. They are racing to finish before Saturday,..."
Friday, March 12, 2010
Services for Dan Fissell, Elementary Strings Teacher
Dear Marshall Road Families,
I know that we are continuing to grieve of the loss of our beloved orchestra teacher, Mr. Dan Fissell. His family wishes to share the following opportunities for us to show our respects to Mr. Fissell and his family:
Viewing: Monday, March 15 at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church, Virginia from 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral: Tuesday, March 16 at the United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Virginia, 22003 at 1 p.m.
Burial: Fairfax Memorial Park, 9900 Braddock Rd., Fairfax, Virginia, 22032
Reception to follow burial: United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Virginia, 22003
Many have asked how they can support Mr. Fissell‘s family during this time of difficulty. We are working in conjunction with our PTA to coordinate these efforts.
Also, the family is in the process of selecting a charitable organization to which we can make a donation on Mr. Fissell’s behalf.
The family has asked that we share that information with you when it becomes available I want to thank each of you for your support during this challenging time for our students, staff, and families.
I am once again impressed by your kindness, graciousness, care, and strong sense of community which strengthens us through these tragic events.
Warm Regards,
Jennifer
I know that we are continuing to grieve of the loss of our beloved orchestra teacher, Mr. Dan Fissell. His family wishes to share the following opportunities for us to show our respects to Mr. Fissell and his family:
Viewing: Monday, March 15 at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church, Virginia from 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral: Tuesday, March 16 at the United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Virginia, 22003 at 1 p.m.
Burial: Fairfax Memorial Park, 9900 Braddock Rd., Fairfax, Virginia, 22032
Reception to follow burial: United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Virginia, 22003
Many have asked how they can support Mr. Fissell‘s family during this time of difficulty. We are working in conjunction with our PTA to coordinate these efforts.
Also, the family is in the process of selecting a charitable organization to which we can make a donation on Mr. Fissell’s behalf.
The family has asked that we share that information with you when it becomes available I want to thank each of you for your support during this challenging time for our students, staff, and families.
I am once again impressed by your kindness, graciousness, care, and strong sense of community which strengthens us through these tragic events.
Warm Regards,
Jennifer
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Deeply Saddened by the Death of Dan Fissell, Strings Teacher
Dear Marshall Road Families,
We have been deeply saddened by the death of one of our staff members, Mr. Dan Fissell, who died on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Mr. Fissell was recently injured in a house fire on Saturday, March 6.
We feel it is important for you to be aware of this situation so that you can provide any support your child might need. We spoke with all of the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students at the beginning of the day today.
Our school staff and professional staff members were in attendance and will continue to be available to support students as needed. Mr. Fissell was well known and well loved by many of our staff members, students, and their families for his commitment to the strings program. We recommend that parents fully discuss the subject of Mr. Fissell’s death with their children.
Parents should expect a wide range of emotions and feelings. Some children will be tearful, others will be extremely quiet, and perhaps other children will experience bad dreams. The most important thing is to deal openly with the subject and comfort your child if he or she is upset. Please call the school if you would like to talk with one of the mental health professionals. We all share in the family’s loss and grief. Thank you for your support and understanding.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Jennifer Heiges, Principal
We have been deeply saddened by the death of one of our staff members, Mr. Dan Fissell, who died on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Mr. Fissell was recently injured in a house fire on Saturday, March 6.
We feel it is important for you to be aware of this situation so that you can provide any support your child might need. We spoke with all of the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students at the beginning of the day today.
Our school staff and professional staff members were in attendance and will continue to be available to support students as needed. Mr. Fissell was well known and well loved by many of our staff members, students, and their families for his commitment to the strings program. We recommend that parents fully discuss the subject of Mr. Fissell’s death with their children.
Parents should expect a wide range of emotions and feelings. Some children will be tearful, others will be extremely quiet, and perhaps other children will experience bad dreams. The most important thing is to deal openly with the subject and comfort your child if he or she is upset. Please call the school if you would like to talk with one of the mental health professionals. We all share in the family’s loss and grief. Thank you for your support and understanding.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Jennifer Heiges, Principal
County Sees Bleak Budget Proposal
County Sees Bleak Budget Proposal: "
Proposal includes cuts to police, schools, libraries, recreation, and virtually everything else.
"Perspective is needed on school budget-cut fears - Washington Post
Perspective is needed on school budget-cut fears - Washington Post: "
"
Perspective is needed on school budget-cut fears Washington Post The news from Northern Virginia was much the same: "Fairfax County schools chief proposes dramatic budget cuts" and "Proposed Arlington schools budget cuts ... and more » |
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Negotiators still divided on budget issues - The Virginian-Pilot
Negotiators still divided on budget issues - The Virginian-Pilot: "
"
 Washington Post | Negotiators still divided on budget issues The Virginian-Pilot Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw, D-Fairfax County, said the fees incorporated into his chamber's plan would enable lawmakers to avoid deeper cuts to ... General Assembly update: Senate approves charter, online school billsRoanoke Times Senate approves charter, virtual schools billsWTKR Your NewsChannel 3 all 44 news articles » |
A guide to help you advocate for your child
A guide to help you advocate for your child: "If you have ever wanted to advocate for your child’s education on the school and district level but weren’t sure where to start, here is a new guide by the PTA that offers a great deal of information that can help. The reference guide -- which is also aimed at policymakers and advocates who want to develop legislative school reform initiatives -- contains a survey of laws in every state, as well as facts, analysis and policy recommendations for family engagement legislation at the state level. Researchers have shown over and over that family engagement in a child’s education matters for success. Here’s how:
"
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Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Virginia Legislation Action Alert
Virginia PTA – Action Alert
Call for Letters to Support the Senate K-12 Education Budget
PTA/PTSA Members,
The Senate and the House of the Virginia General Assembly have passed two very different budgets for FY2011. The Senate would fund K-12 education $278 more per student in Virginia. The Senate and House bills have gone to a committee that will try to reconcile the two budgets.
Please, write the budget conferees requesting that they adopt the Senate's proposal for K-12 Education Funding.
The easiest way to do this is to use the Virginia PTA – Action Center Links below. Also consider signing up for Action Alerts from the Virginia PTA regarding the Virginia General Assembly.
Senate Budget Negotiators (Conferees)
http://capwiz.com/npta2/va/issues/alert/?alertid=14745306
House Budget Negotiators (Conferees)
http://capwiz.com/npta2/va/issues/alert/?alertid=14745196
Sign Up for Virginia Action Alerts:
http://vapta.org/sign-up-for-e-newsletter.html
Senate Budget Negotiators (Conferees) are the following:
Charles Colgan
Edd Houck
Janet Howell
Richard Saslaw
Walter Stosch
William Wampler
House Budget Negotiators (Conferees) are the following:
Kirk Cox
Chris Jones
Steven Landes
Lacey Putney
Beverly Sherwood
David Edelman, Legislation Chair
Northern Virginia District PTA
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