---

Albemarle County Schools Parent Council
Update for PTOs/PTAs – February 5, 2008 Meeting
“Sharing information and resources in support of better education for our students.”

---

NOTEWORTHY DATES Weds., Feb. 20 - 6 PM $$$ Brd. of Sup. Public Hearing on Tax Rate Tues,. March 4 - Parent Council Meeting, COB 320 Wed., March 5 – 6PM $$$ Brd. of Sup. Public Hearing #1 County Executive’s recommended budget Wed., April 2 – 6PM $$$ Brd. of Sup. Public Hearing #2

PTO/PTA TO DO ITEMS Discuss PTO/PTA contribution to PC, recommended to be $50. Share Noteworthy Budget Dates, especially Feb 20th public hearing before BOS on tax rate. Encourage attendance. Continue explaining budget figures & process. Solicit volunteers for letters to editor supporting education budget. Solicit feedback on bus routing improvement Nominate teaches for Golden Apple

Parent Council Discussion Items:

• — Approved minutes from Jan 8 meeting – see minutes on website
• — Voluntary Dues. Thanks to schools so far who have provided dues to PC. Money will be used to develop and maintain our independent PC website, cover printing costs of communications during budget process, support PC mission.
• — PC mailing lists - we will explore reviving the old PC mailing lists for improved communication.
• — PC bylaws and mission statement approved. Thanks to all who contributed.
• — Golden Apple Awards – nominate teachers! Forms at schools or at school website
• PC logo stickers – “Strong Public Schools, Strong Communities” being made available for public hearings to show support of schools.

Kid Pan Alley

• — Have worked in 5 county schools this year, each for one week – Terri Allard, Paul Reisler introduced program and sang a student written song. http://www.kidpanalley.org/. Oct. 4 concert to showcase new CD with songs written by Cville kids.
• — Work with kids in grades 2-5 to write their own songs, the perform them.
• If interested, schools must apply for program – funding required, but VERY affordable for one week residencies. Opportunity for PTO’s to contribute to funding to make possible.

School Transportation Discussion

• — PC asked to be sounding board for transportation issues - Carole Hastings, Principal Leader for Transportation Services & Division Special Projects; hastings@k12albemarle.org, and Charmaine White asked PC for input on various transportation issues
• — Currently: 164 buses drive 12,000 miles a month – each bus costs ~$75,000, max routes are 1.5 hours each way. County has to plan for all kids, even though many do not use buses
• — We discussed – Max bus time of 1 hour, prefer 45 minutes; smaller vehicles; parent survey to determine ridership needs; route in loops rather than straight lines; keeping school phones manned until last student at home etc.
• Looking for feedback on how to improve bus transportation – email Carole with suggestions and ideas. See questions on website.

Review of 2008-09 Budget Issues & Priorities by Dr. Pam Moran

• — Budget Planning Information Online. See http://www.k12albemarle.org/board/budget for more information.
• — 2.7 million short-fall for next year – School Board needs to make some tough choices (larger classes, reducing staff, smaller staff raises...)
• — Raising county tax rate by 3 cents would cover all requests – last year’s reduction from .74 to .68 has huge impact for current downturn.
• — 10% County budget given to City not accounted for in state support – see state budget amendment request on PC website
• PARENTS NEED TO GET INVOLVED – Contact BOS representatives, write letters to papers, attend BOS hearing meetings, show support.

Parent Council Website

• — http://www.acpsparentcouncil.org Users must register in user login. Website layout is basic at this point, and input is solicited by registered user login. PC considering adding opportunity to post comments.
• — Comments/suggestions to jlewis@acpsparentcouncil.org