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Tonight's meeting starts at 6:30pm with recognitions for some of LCPS's very best teachers. Some are visiting international faculty... teachers from other countries who come here for three years. Others have joined the elite ranks of their profession with national board certification. I look forward to hearing about their accomplishments and recognitions and applauding them with the rest of the board.
Following public comment, the Superintendent's report and Board member comments we'll consider final passage of new rules for "Selection and Review of Library Media Center Instructional Materials," which is primarily an overhaul of the procedures under which materials (including library books) can be challenged by parents. This is in the wake of the And Tango Makes Three controversy of a few months ago.
After that we'll receive a report on a $2.4 Million left over from seven school construction projects. The funds will be returned to the County. These are for schools that opened between 2003 and 2005.
If those numbers grab your attention, you'll be interested in the 3rd quarter financial review that projects an end-of-year surplus of $9.3 Million, or about 1.3% of the operating budget. I know that some folks will say the budget was over-funded. My own perspective is that 1.3% is pretty accurate, and good fiscal management.
Finally, one last item, an issue of easements regarding the new Stewart Weller Elementary School in Ashburn.
Download full agenda information: Agenda & Addedum (PDF)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
May 13 Board Meeting Preview
Posted by John Stevens at 6:00 AM
Labels: Agendas, Tango Makes Three
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4 Comments:
Dear Mr. Stevens:
Thanks for this most interesting bit of news about the operating surplus- do you think we could spend some of it for all day kindergarten at Middleburg and maybe get back some of the teachers for Middleburg and Aldie?
Thanks
Martha Cotter
John,
Assuming opening Woodgrove HS is a high priority, why not use a portion of the projected $11M budget surplus to fund road improvements and water/sewer service to support the elementary and high schools existing/planned on the Fields Farm site slated to serve ~2,400 students. The site itself cost LCPS nothing. To also expect paying nothing to upgrade roads/utilities to support it seems odd.
No changes were made to the dangerous intersection of 287 and Business Route 7 when Harmony Intermediate School opened in 2002. I have witnessed dozens of near accidents at that location in the morning as countless busses and cars transport the current 3,882 students attending the three facilities. After Woodgrove opens, that intersection, Hirst Road and associated Purcellville roads will be used by busses serving both clusters (eventually ~7000 students between the 2 HSs, 2 MSs and associated Culbert and Mountain View ESs).
It was reported that significant cost savings were achieved when Briar Woods and Freedom HSs (which opened in 2002) were built simultaneously. Someone made the decision many years ago to accelerate Freedom by delaying HS-3. Blue Ridge and Catoctin Districts have sacrificed to help the fast growing Dulles District. While I realize these schools are filling rapidly, the fact is now 6 years after opening they remain under enrolled (Briar Woods at 67% and Freedom at 76%). This further justifies the costs to get Woodgrove open as soon as possible by settling w/ the Town now. There will be costs to implement badly needed interim measures to manage the overcrowding.
I'd sincerely appreciate getting your thoughts on this matter when you have a chance.
Thank you.
Sarah Stinger
I apologize for the delay in my response. It would be a real gift if we could allocate these surplus funds toward additional projects. Unfortunately we are obligated to turn the funds back over to the Board of Supervisors. Next year's budget is already made and it incorporates the anticipated fund balances already into the budget, so all of the money has been spoken for.
The meeting's webcast isn't posted to the LCPS site yet, but when it is you can jump to the financial report item and see At-large member Mr. Reed and Asst. Superintendent for Finance Ms. Burden discussing this very topic.
Thank you, I will look for the webcast posting. In the unlikely event the funds were returned to the School Board for re-allocation, would you support $7M of it to settle with Purcellville so that Woodgrove construction could begin immediately? As you may recall, no LCPS funds were used to acquire the entire parcel and I've heard estimates a wastewater treatment plant there will cost LCPS $2-3M. Also, it is likely the cost to acquire and bring forward other sites should the County loose, could be much higher than cost of a settlement. I appreciate your work on the Board, particularly maintaining your website and outreach efforts, as well as any consideration and willingness to state your opinions on this matter.
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