Members,
Your School Board and Administrative Staff has put together a budget that includes a step, the additional 4% VRS contribution, and a COLA for all employees. The budget also includes some necessary school level positions which have been eliminated in the previous years. The School Board plans to present this budget to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 19 at 7:00 pm. When the County budget was presented to the Board of Supervisors on March 5, the County Administrator had only included an increase for schools that would equate to a 2% raise and included the state funding. Recently, in the Free Lance Star it was reported that the county was also considering a reduction in the tax rate. If they do that, schools do not stand a chance in seeing an increase in funding. We are asking staff to do at least one of two things. 1) Come to the Board of Supervisors meeting on March 19 and wear red showing your support for our schools. Invite community members and parents to come also. We also need people willing to speak out on behalf of funding our schools. 2) If you are unable to attend, please email your support to the members of the Board of Supervisors, before Tuesday evening.
This is your opportunity to make your opinions and beliefs known. This is our children's future.
Thank you
Theresa Thompson
SEA President
There will be a 5pm joint SB/BOS meeting prior to the public hearing in the conference room. You may attend that also, but if you can attend only one, please attend the 7pm meeting and stay for public comments.