For information from FACE, visit: www.faceadvocacy.org
Greetings Friends:
Many thanks to those who attended, and especially those who presented at the school board hearings last week. There were many wonderful thoughts shared, from the pragmatic to the emotionally compelling. Well done.
The reality is, our hardest work lies before us. In the coming week, the school board will take action on the budget; at that point, the focus of attention will turn to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. While I think we did a good job last week, I believe we can, and will have to do better in the upcoming discussions with the BoS. I believe our audience participation will need to be larger, and our message more emphatic than it has thus been. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see a lot of "second chances" in this process.
What's next:
Now would be a great time to send a follow up email to school board members, thanking them for their remarkable patience last week, and encouraging them to request all that is needed for FCPS to be fully operational.
Familiarize yourself with the Local Composite Index (LCI) issue. If you are so inclined, contact your state representatives and the Governor's office regarding the proposed one year "freeze" of the index (see: Washington Post, today, C5, "Insult from Richmond").
Per the information below, prepare to testify on behalf of elementary instrumental music education at BoS hearings.
As you know, the Board of Supervisors will make the budget decisions critical to our success, and they will be subjected to enormous pressure to restrain any growth in tax revenue. There will be some intense discussions that go to the very heart of the relationship between the supervisors and the school board. In this complicated environment, as regards band and strings, our mission and our message needs to be kept simple, on point, and relentless: FIND A WAY. As for ourselves, there must be no faltering in our efforts; or tepidness in our response.
So, on we go. And, on this email goes, with important information below regarding the next step in the process.
Let the music continue!
Denny Stokes, leader of FACE
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The speakers docket for the Board of Supervisor's Budget Hearings is now open. The School Board will give it's presentation on Tuesday, April 6 at 6:00 p.m. We need speaker's to sign-up to speak that night in favor of the Superintendent's proposed budget for the school system. If you are not inclined to speak, please mark your calendar and consider attending the board meeting to "stand in support" for the school budget (more info to follow on this opportunity).
The hearings are held over three days. The Tuesday hearing starts at 7:00. Wednesday and Thursday, the hearings begin at 3:00 p.m. It would be best to get on the docket for Tuesday the 6th to reflect support for the school budget in particular.
Our general message should be that we (residents) are willing to support a tax increase to pay for the budget submitted for FCPS schools. That includes the requested additional transfer of $57.8 million to cover the programs outlined by the Superintendent as "in jeopardy" if the additional funds are not provided.
You can sign up by calling 703-324 3151 or by going to: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/board/
In the middle of the center window and under "Meetings and Agendas" - click the link "Register to Speak".
WHO: Board of Supervisors
WHEN: Tuesday, April 6, 7:00 (following School Board presentation at 6:00 p.m.), Wednesday, April 7, 3:00 p.m -??, Thursday, April 8, 3:00 -??
WHAT: speakers needed - sign up NOW
WHERE: Fairfax County Govt. Center
WHY: The BOS must be willing to approve Dr. Dale's budget to support school programs, including an increase transfer of $57.8 million
HOW: Call 703-324-3151 or
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/board/ Click on Board of Supervisors. Under Meetings and Agendas - click on register to speak. Try to get on the Tuesday night docket, if possible.
If you do get a spot on the docket, and are willing to participate as a Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education representative (or are willing to allow FACE to use your spot), please notify Mary Wagner at mscello@cox.net.
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For more information about the Superintendent's proposed budget, check out the following resources:
FCPS FY2011 Budget web page: http://www.fcps.edu/news/fy2011.htm
If this is your first time reviewing this information, start with The Bottom Line E-Newsletter links toward the middle of the page
Check out CPES Parents (a "person" if you are searching) on Facebook for tons of info on the grass-roots effort to-date to educate residents and provide links and information to what you can do to help. Within the CPES site you will find links to other groups working on this issue at both a local and state level.
If you are particularly interested in advocating for the elementary band & strings programs, you can visit the Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education (FACE) web site at www.faceadvocacy.org for more information.
