Sample Letter to FC Board of Supervisors re Education Funding

Dear [Board of Supervisors]:

On February 4, you received Superintendant Jack Dale’s budget for FY2011. The School Board requested a County transfer of $1.7 billion, an increase over last year’s request. I urge the Board of Supervisors to fully fund this budget.

I think that citizens of Fairfax County need to think seriously about what makes this County such a great place to live. It’s not just the schools – we have wonderful libraries, a strong social service net, great public safety, and beautiful parks. We have these things because we, as a County, have decided that they are worth funding.

Our County amenities are interrelated. Our excellent schools bring businesses to the area – the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce recently sent Governor McDonnell a letter saying that “FCPS is the number one reason businesses cite when they locate here.” Businesses bring jobs – our County unemployment rate is only 4.3% and trending down, compared with a statewide average of 6.7% which is trending up (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009).

Our proximity to Washington, DC, brings well-educated residents who care about County services and who are willing and able to pay for them. All of these factors - great schools, jobs, proximity to a metro area - increase the value of our homes. All of these factors are related and are necessary for the County to continue to be both economically successful and a wonderful place to live.

As a constituent, I realize that it’s my responsibility to make a convincing case for funding for services that I want. I and hundreds of other engaged voters are doing that right now – writing to you, calling you, and testifying at public hearings.

But you are elected officials, and it is ultimately your job to make the right decisions for the County, and to make the case for those decisions. If you need to raise our tax rates to pay for these services – schools, libraries, public safety, social services - do it. If you need to impose a vehicle tax, do it. If you need to go to Richmond and lobby for meals tax authority, do it.

Thousands and thousands of constituents are ready to provide you with political cover. Please don’t assume a majority of voters would choose lower taxes and a degraded school system, library system, or social service system.

Sincerely,