Messages to the Supervisors for Full Funding of the LCPS Budget

The Supervisors will set the tax rate and allocate funds to Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Tues., April 5. That allows you just a little more time to ensure that the Supervisors have heard your support for full funding of the LCPS budget.

Below are suggested messages, one from parents and one from LCPS employees to the Supervisors who through a straw vote (non-binding vote) supported cutting the LCPS budget by one percent.

Kurtz (Catoctin) sally.kurtz@loudoun.gov
Delgaudio (Sterling) eugene.delgaudio@loudoun.gov
York (At Large) scott.york@loudoun.gov
Burton (Blue Ridge) jim.burton@loudoun.gov
McGimsey (Potomac) Andrea.McGimsey@loudoun.gov
Waters (Broad Run) lori.waters@loudoun.gov

SUGGESTED MESSAGE FROM PARENTS:
I understand the position you took in last week’s straw vote may have been directed toward transportation, but please know that if any reductions to the school budget impact the educational experience of my child, I will hold you responsible when I vote in November.

SUGGESTED MESSAGE FROM LCPS EMPLOYEES:
I understand the position you took in last week’s straw vote may have been directed toward transportation as opposed to the three percent COLA for school employees. However, please know that if any reductions to the school budget lessen the three percent COLA, I will hold you responsible when I vote in November.

Contact the Supervisors for full funding of the school budget

Last week the Supervisors took a straw vote (non-binding) to cut the school budget by 1 percent. Sally Kurtz (Catoctin) moved to cut the budget by 1% as she believes the schools' transportation budget is too large. After very little discussion the straw vote was taken and passed with the following Supervisors supporting this cut to the LCPS budget:

Kurtz (Catoctin)
Delgaudio (Sterling)
York (At Large)
Burton (Blue Ridge)
McGimsey (Potomac)
Waters (Broad Run)

LEA believes it is crucial that the Supervisors listed below are contacted regarding their upcoming final decision (April 5) on funding for LCPS. Suggest talking points are provided.

Stevens Miller (Dulles) @ stevens.miller@loudoun.gov
~ Thank you for your opposition to the straw vote to cut the school budget by 1%
~ I am counting on your continued support in order for LCPS to receive full funding.

Jim Burton (Blue Ridge) @ jim.burton@loudoun.gov
Sally Kurtz (Catotcin) @ sally.kurtz@loudoun.gov
Andrea McGimsey (Potomac) @ Andrea.McGimsey@loudoun.gov
Scott York (At Large) @ scott.york@loudoun.gov
~ Revenues are continuing to come in higher than expected and the needed tax rate to fully fund the schools has decreased.
~ IN YOUR OWN WORDS describe your personal experience regarding how salary freezes, increased class size, etc. has impacted you and your family.
~ LCPS is currently second to last. We want to be second to none.

The Supervisors must continue to hear from supporters of the school budget. Take time to send your message of support.

LCPS students and employees are worth more!
We’re Worth More!

Supervisors Must SEE YOUR Support for the LCPS Budget

Your presence at the March 14th Board of Supervisors’ (BOS) public input session is a critical opportunity for the Supervisors to SEE support for the LCPS budget.

Each person’s presence makes a difference!

Please plan to attend and bring your colleagues and neighbors.

Preschoolers AND students are welcome to attend.

The public input portion of the meeting will begin no earlier than 6:30pm this Monday, March 14 at the Government Center in Leesburg.

For those of you who wish to speak:
~ Call 703.771.5072 by noon on Mon., Mar. 14 OR sign up to speak when you arrive for the meeting (http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=1021).

~ Simply communicate your support for full funding of the LCPS budget and add your personal experiences/remarks, if desired.

~ Know that we are happy to assist folks with their remarks. Just send them to Sandy @ ssullivanlea@aol.com.

After March 14, communicating with the BOS continues to be important.
~ Email your support for full funding of the LCPA budget to the BOS at loudounbudget@loudoun.gov OR call the comment line @ 703-777-0115.