Flags presentation 3 22-10

State Budget & New Strategy March 22, 2010 CPES

Agenda
State & School Budgets
FY 2011 Advertised Budget (Kristen Michael)
County Budget & Cuts
New Advocacy Strategy
BOS Public Hearing Talking Points & Tips
Rally
Key Dates & Decision Timeline

Introductions
Fairfax FLAGS (Foreign Language Advocacy for Grade Schools)
Sandy Knox & Tina Meek, [email_address]
FACE (Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education)
Mary Wagner, [email_address]
CPES: (Concerned Parents of Elementary Students)
Kristen Fennel, Susannah Frazier, Pam Konde [email_address]
Full-day Kindergarten
Jennifer McClelland, [email_address]
FCPS
Janie Strauss, School Board Member
Kristen Michael, FCPS Budget Office

Understanding County Cuts
Police: $11.7M or 6.8%
Fire: $10.7M or 6.4%
FCPS: $16.3 or 1%
Community Services: $5.2M or 5.3%
Parks: $2.4M or 10.3%
Libraries: $3.4M or 11.97%

County budget overview
Total proposed budget: $6.1B
General fund: $3.29B (includes FCPS transfer)
Reduction: 3.9% from FY 2010 revised budget
Taxpayers’ pocketbook
Real estate tax rate: Proposed 5-cent increase to $1.09. A $48.55 drop for avg. homeowner
$33 per vehicle registration fee reinstatement
Sewer service fee: Proposed 77-cent increase
SACC fees: Increase to generate about $1M

County employees
Eliminates 298 positions
Only one-third of these positions are currently filled
No salary increases
$26.5M increase for the county's retirement systems to replace depreciated assets
FCPS
County executive's proposal: $1.61B transfer
$16.1M less than level transfer or 1% cut

Police
Proposed reductions: $11.8M or 6.8%
Reduced unscheduled overtime could increase response times
Fewer aides staff at front desk
Eliminate some specialized positions -- marine patrol & traffic safety officers
Fewer victim advocate positions

Fire & Rescue
Convert four "basic life support" ambulances from 24-hour to 8-hour availability, Mon-Fri
Cut one of seven fire & rescue battalions increasing ratio “far above optimum levels”
Discontinue second set of gear for firefighters
Eliminate dedicated staffing of hazmat unit slowing response time

Parks
Stop night lighting at tennis courts, outdoor basketball courts & outdoor volleyball courts
Close pool at Martin Luther King Jr. Park
Cut five of 52 RecPAC summer program sites
Cut 25 grounds & maintenance positions
Resulting in bathroom closures at some parks & reduction of trash removal, mowing, timely repairs to park property & tree-trimming.

Libraries
Proposed reduction: $3.4M or 11.97%
Further reduce library hours
Eliminate book drops at senior living facilities & nursing homes
Cut program allowing people with disabilities to receive books through the mail.
Eliminate Grants Office
Assists individuals seeking public/private grants

Community Services Board
Proposed reduction: $5.2M or 5.3%
Eliminate community health center in Reston
Eliminate in-home respite services for parents of children with intellectual disabilities
Eliminate emergency services at Mt. Vernon & NW Centers for Community Mental Health
Eliminate several substance abuse counselor positions serving various programs

BOS Public Hearing Strategy
April 6, 7 & 8
Be persistent presence for BOS & community at large
Be respectful & sympathetic to county cuts while advocating for FCPS
Speakers
3-minute limit
Address importance of level funding for schools to preserve quality & prepare for future
Supporters needed in audience
Rally on April 6 at 4:30 p.m.

BOS Public Hearing Talking Points
Advocate for level funding of schools
Level transfer is still a cut
Enrollment increases & special needs
Schools required to provide services
FCPS cuts
FY 2009 cut $96M & 423 positions
FY 2010 cut $171.5M & 788 positions
FY 2011 proposed cut of $81.4M & 204 positions
Advocate for VRS reserve
Smart to allow FCPS to prepare for future VRS payback by establishing reserve

Quality schools=tax revenue=quality county
#1 reason why businesses choose Fairfax
Residents move or stay here for schools
Several years of budget cuts/enrollment growth puts FCPS’ world-class reputation at risk
Must support and maintain quality
FCPS is better because of programs we offer: immersion & FLES, band & strings, FDK, etc.
Many programs difficult/impossible to re-instate.
Other school districts look to FCPS as a model

Value of education
Students get one shot at education. If opportunity is missed, there are no re-dos!
Schools must prepare students more than ever
Personalize your story where possible
Demonstrates impact of services. Keep it short.
Show appreciation to BOS
Working for efficiencies & solutions
Input opportunities: town halls, community dialogues, online feedback
Advocating for LCI readjustment

Don’t forget “BIG ASKS”
Ask for level transfer to fund FCPS FY 2011 advertised budget
Ask to allow FCPS to create reserve for VRS
If you support this , ask to generate revenue
Increases in real estate taxes to sustain quality schools & quality of life. (NOTE: $1.11 or $1.12 is an increase )
$33 vehicle registration fee
Implementation of a meals tax

Speaking Tips: Your Statement
Know your audience.
State one key message.
Make it personal but also use facts.
Provide 3-5 key supporting points.
Use humor if it makes sense, but don't force it.
Write from your heart.

Speaking Tips: Your Delivery
Breathe before each sentence.
Make eye contact with your audience between each paragraph.
Practice several times in front of family, friends, the mirror.
Time yourself. Aim for 2 1/2 minutes.

County Public Hearings Rallies
Rally Dates
April 6 at 4:30 p.m. at County Gov. Center
Unified message
Support for maintaining quality schools
Advocate for level funding to FCPS
Students & parents wear school spirit or program T-shirts
Bring sign to share message

Unified Slogan Ideas
Preserve Our Schools
High Value $chool$ = High Property Value$
World-Class Counties Maintain World-Class Schools
Level School Transfer Makes Cents
Sharpen your pencils…fund our schools!
FCPS: More Than the Core
Level FCPS Transfer = Smart Planning for Future!
Email more slogan ideas for us to share at [email_address]

Continued Advocacy
Supervisors community budget meetings
Wed., March 24
Supervisor Cook – 7:30-9 p.m, Little Run ES
Supervisor Hudgins – 7 p.m., Madison HS
Supervisor McKay – 7:30 p.m., Lee District Community Room
Communication to BOS
Letters & phone calls
Leaders meet with Chairman Sharon Bulova March 24

Key Dates & Decision Timeline
April 6, 7 & 8: County BOS holds public hearings on budget
April 6: School Board presents budget to County BOS
April 20: BOS Budget Mark-up
April 21: General Assembly veto session
April 27: BOS sets tax rate, adopts budget, approves transfer
April 29: School Board conducts budget work session
April 30: Speakers list opens for School Board public hearings
May 6: School Board FY 2011 Approved Budget presented
May 10: School Board conducts budget work session
May 11 & 12: School Board holds public hearings on budget
May 13: School Board conducts budget work session
May 20: School Board adopts FY 2011 Approved Budget
July 1: FY 2011 Begins

Flags presentation 3 22-10

by Fairfax Flags on Mar 23, 2010

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

1 Embed 1

Statistics

Flags presentation 3 22-10 — Presentation Transcript