ACPS Parent Council

Parent Council Members:

Many thanks for your efforts during the past several BOS public hearings regarding the budget.  We had great PC support at the April 2nd public hearing with:

• 23 people speaking in support of school funding
• 21 people speaking in support of the current tax rate
• 5 people speaking in support of IMPACT affordable housing
• 3 young people (students) speaking in support of school funding
• 1 person speaking in opposition to school funding
• 3 people speaking in favor of a 71 cent tax rate

Your efforts to share information with your school parents, teachers, education supporters made a significant difference to highlight how our schools would have suffered under the proposed budget reductions.

The Board of Supervisors (BOS) held a 4 1/2 hour budget work session yesterday (Wednesday the 9th), and finally decided upon a 71 cent tax rate by a vote of 4-2.  The BOS included a stipulation that 1 cent of tax revenues (about $1.6 million) be set aside and only used if projected revenues are less than budgeted during the next fiscal year.  Any funds not used for revenue shortfalls will be returned to the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget at the end of the year.

School Board Chairman Brian Wheeler wrote on his School Matters Listserv newsletter(http://www.wheeleronboard.com/schoolmatters.htm) that he anticipates the School Board's $151.3 million budget request for 08-09 to be fully funded.  The School Board has a budget work session scheduled Thursday, April 17th to finalize its budget.  Chairman Wheeler also wrote the School Board will continue with some cuts as part of its implementation of recommendations in the Resource Utilization Study (i.e. central office expenditures).  Chairman Wheeler continued that other cuts (i.e. strings, world languages staffing subsidies) or additions (i.e. specialty centers) that were identified in various contingency plans will be on the table for final review.

The BOS decision indicates they heard loud and clear our message of the struggle our schools would face with the projected budget reductions. 

• Please take a moment to thank the BOS for their support of schools.  One email to bos@albemarle.org will be delivered to all BOS members.  It is important they hear from us after their decision, not only when they are in the process of making the decision.
• Thanks to Barbara Higgins for drafting the attached PC Update following our April 1st PC meeting.
• Our next PC meeting is Tuesday, May 6th, beginning with a buffet dinner provided by CATEC at 6:45pm in Room 320 of the County Office Building.  Please invite 1 PTO representative to attend our May 6th meeting and dinner with you.  This will provide an opportunity for your PTO to become familiar with Parent Council before our next school year. Please RSVP for the dinner.
• Remember to include a PC dues line item in your PTO proposed budget for next year.

Your participation and support is very much appreciated, we are grateful to work with such a committed and active group of parents.