The latest item on the Prince William County Schools chopping block is the sports program. Despicable. This absolutely should not be allowed to happen. There needs to be a firestorm of protest; otherwise I’m afraid it will be cut.
There’s a petition to sign at – http://petitionspot.com/petitions/saveMSsports
and a BLOG at – http://savemiddleschoolsports.wardcentral.com/
And, I’d strongly encourage parents to attend the School Board Meeting on Wednesday night to voice your opposition in person.
Prince William County Schools face an unprecedented budget shortfall for the upcoming school year. In a growing county like Prince William, it is almost a given that each year the budget will grow, as the student body grows. Well, not next year.
Student enrollment is expected to increase by about 1400 students. However, the budget will be reduced by 7%. This huge reduction in spending amounts to about $57 million.
To make ends meet, teacher pay will be frozen and class size will increased. Elementary classes will be allowed up to 30 and middle and high school classes can go as high as 35 per class. Students will pay fees for the privilege of parking on campuses, playing sports, taking drivers’ education. Students will be expected to pay fees associated with advanced placement courses and also IB programs. ESOL and gifted classes will have fewer staff members. Overall, about 450 positions will be cut. Many of these positions will become open due to retirement but will not be filled.
All and all, things look very dismal for Prince William County Schools. Loudoun and Fairfax Counties have announced similar proposals. One thing is for sure. There won’t be many extras and those student material lists that are given out at the beginning of the year will be much longer. There is a new sheriff in town, and his name is NO MONEY.
It seems that that big dark screen plan didn’t work out so well. Readers will remember the theory that when all the ‘illegals’ left and there was no need for ESOL classes, we would save bundles of money and could apply it else where. I believe a surplus might have even been predicted. Well, time to pony up with that extra savings. The county sure does need it.
The Washington Post details the financial position of PWCS.
Here is the link to the Prince William County School Board Meeting . There are several lowlights towards the beginning. The ‘Other’ makes quite a display of himself. I wasn’t quite sure of his point. Apparently the board doesn’t like personal attacks on their staff.
As a result of School Board action at its meeting on Wednesday, December 3, this year’s Prince William County Public School calendar has been revised. Inauguration Day (January 20) will be a school holiday for all students and staff. In exchange, Presidents Day, which falls this year on February 16, will be a regular school day. This calendar adjustment will be in effect every four years effective January 2009.
All schools and School Division offices are closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and on Tuesday, January 20, for Inauguration Day.
More information will be forthcoming on elementary level parent/teacher conferences and the high school testing schedule.
I am not sure how this will effect education but it should ease the traffic situation. We apparently have become more a part of the metropolitan area.
[UPDATE: Manassas Park Schools will also be closed Inauguration Day, Jan 20]
Yesterday Governor Tim Kaine and his financial advisors discussed a nearly $2.8 Billion dollar deficit for the state. He will present his budget revisions to the General Assembly December 17. The news is going to be grim. Yesterday Gov. Kaine met with Barack Obama in to discuss the economy. The FY 2010 budget begins July 1.
The pain, however, is not being evenly felt. Arlington has a huge commercial tax base which will help keep it from total hard times. The huge decrease in home values in Prince William County has eviscerated county finances. PWC lacks the extensive commercial tax base that Arlington enjoys.
Less money will go to Richmond and in turn, that means less money for localities. Arlington County officials are considering an increase in 1.7 cents for next year, although that wouldn’t totally fix their budget deficit.
The PW BOCS is still playing around with the tax rate. At last glance it appears that $1.13.[correction from $1.16 to $1.13] was being considered. Currently the tax rate is at $.97. Even with the increase in rate, most residents will find their tax bill less because of the substantial drop in property value. The average home value in PWC has dropped about 30%. PWC has the most foreclosures in the state of Virginia.
The PWC BOCS is looking at a variety of ways to help keep the wolf away from the door, including enacting cigarette, admissions and meals taxes. Chairman Corey Stewart was quoted as saying “We ought to focus our guns on core issues and not get sidetracked by other things.”
According to an article in the Washington Post:
Prince William, which has the highest number of foreclosures in the state, wants additional authority to place liens on vacant property to help recover the cost of cleaning graffiti. It also wants to extend liability protection to neighboring property owners who mow grass or remove trash and debris from vacant properties.
What else does Stewart have in mind? Obviously his Immigration Resolution didn’t bring in the savings we were promised. Of course, no one believed that one. That was just a way to fool people and even at that, only a few bought in to that blarny.
The school system will be slammed by these cuts. Already there is talk of no cost of living increase for employees and larger sized classes. There is also talk of delaying capital improvements which would include delaying the building of a new, much needed high school.
Are there solutions to lessen the problems facing PWC? Would people be content having the 2010 tax rate even higher to maintain services? Would a higher tax rate drive out businesses?
Having the most foreclosures in the state of Virginia is sure a distinction I could do without.
Most self respecting kids will probably be joining the parents who are demonstrating against the PWC Schools math program. Aren’t kids supposed to hate math?
I just interviewed a 7 year old who is visiting. He told me he loved math and he got to use manipulatives and pencil and paper. He also knew that 8 + 9 = 17. Last night I interviewed a long- time PWC English teacher who sat through several in-service presentations of Math Investigations. She told me that for the first time, math made sense to her.
So what’s all the fuss about? Math Investigations. Apparently a few parents are upset that kids aren’t taught math they way they were taught back in the day. Student needs change. Technology changes. The skills that kids need to be successful in the 21st century are not the same skills kids needed who attended school back in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. To quote Bob Dylan, ‘The Times They are A’Changin’.
Anyone who wants to learn more about the elementary math program in PWCS should talk to their child’s teacher or go to the PWCS Mathematics Web site where they can see program evaluation reports and many other valuable resources for parents. Parents can also access all materials for teachers and administrators, such as planning calendars and pacing guides at the site. Any parent wanting to see the materials may contact their child’s school or visit the PWCS Staff Library.
