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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia e-News
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Commentary
School Reform
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Governor Robert McDonnell held a press conference last week to announce his "The Opportunity to Learn" school reform initiative. As I told the members of the House of Delegates in a floor speech the next day, I think the Governor's press conference lacked one thing: a sense of reality. There was no mention of the financial stress under which school divisions now find themselves. With plunging local property values there is a drop in property taxes collected that are the principal source of revenue for schools. The General Assembly is still looking to cut an additional couple of billion dollars from the state budget that will impact education funding. School divisions throughout the Commonwealth are making major reductions to instructional and extra-curricular programs and adding fees to support some activities. To say that we should not innovate at a time when dollars are scarce would be a mistake; indeed innovation can sometimes save money. To undertake one without recognition of the other would be folly. Siphoning off scarce dollars from public schools at this time does not make much sense to me.
The Governor's announcement also overlooked the reality of the incredible innovation that takes place in the public schools already. Throughout the state there are magnet schools, alternative schools, gifted centers, IB and AP programs, career training centers, and more. Ask school administrators and teachers why more innovation does not take place, and they will tell you that it is because of restrictive state laws and regulations. The Governor's reform initiative is built around charter schools, lab schools, and virtual schools.
"Charter schools," the Governor was reported as saying at his press conference, "are public schools with the ability to innovate in the education of our young people." If more innovation is what the Governor seeks, he should give public schools the same "ability to innovate" as he proposes for charter schools. That way all students could benefit rather than the five percent projected under his plan. Virtual instruction is a good but not new idea. Already students in remote areas and small schools can choose from a greater array of classes that are delivered electronically. Lab schools were popular in the 1950s and 1960s for teacher training but were largely abandoned for their high cost and for the lack of diversity in the student body.
Ironically at a time when many in leadership roles in Richmond are denouncing federal intervention in all aspects of government, the prospect of federal funding is being used as a carrot to attract support for the Governor's proposal. For many, a good dose of reality of how we are going to meet the ongoing cost of schools might lead us to take any discussion of reform more seriously.
To view my speech, go to www.kenplum.com. |
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"Virginia Report"
Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday nights at 10:30 p.m. - "Report from Richmond" with Delegate Ken Plum at the General Assembly Building
Online Viewing
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From the Capitol
Halfway Point Passed
The General Assembly passed the halfway mark this week. All bills had to be acted upon by their house of origin by yesterday's deadline. The House will now take up bills coming over from the Senate, and vice-versa. Follow legislation of interest to you at http://legis.virginia.gov. |
Climate Change Citizen Action
The Northern Virginia Climate Change Network Workshop, "Energy Efficiency, Bringing the Message Home, and Hands-on Advocacy Skills Training," will be held on Saturday, February 27, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., at the Fair Oaks Branch of Merrifield Garden Center (NOT Merrifield, VA), 12101 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030. For more information or to register, contact Linda Burchfiel at 703.506.4310 or linda@lburchfiel.com. |
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Announcements
Reston Big Dig
Did you take part in the Reston Big Dig last Sunday, February 14? Volunteers including Delegate Ken Plum met at South Lakes High School, shovels in hand, and fanned out to nearby neighborhoods, clearing snow and ice from key school walkways and bus stops. The project was organized by a group of Reston residents in response to a request from the Fairfax County Public Schools for help in clearing walkways and bus stops so students could get to school safely. Visit www.fcps.edu for photos of community volunteer efforts and updated information about school re-openings.
The IRS Free File Tax Program offers 98 million Americans a fast, free, and safe way to file their federal taxes online. All taxpayers making less than $57,000 can visit www.IRS.gov and use the industry's top tax preparation software -- and it's free. Users get the step-by-step help they need to prepare, complete, and file federal tax returns online, at no cost. The program is made possible through a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a group of industry-leading tax software providers. Since 2003, the Free File program has delivered free tax services to more than 25 million people.
2010 Census Jobs
The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary, part-time and full-time census takers for the 2010 Census. These short-term jobs offer good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and reimbursement for authorized work related expenses such as mileage incurred while conducting census work. Best of all, census takers work right in their own communities. Census taker jobs are excellent for people who want to work part-time, those who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service for their community. Apply now at 1.866.861.2010. |
Calendar of Events
The Fairfax County Human Rights Commission is accepting nominations for its 32nd Annual Human Rights Awards. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 26. The awards recognize individuals, nonprofits, and businesses that advanced human rights in Fairfax County last year. To get a nomination form, call 703.324.2953. Nominations may be submitted to e-mail to wyvetta.hill@fairfaxcounty.gov, by fax to 703.324.3570, or by mail to the Human Rights Commission, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 318, Fairfax, VA 22035-0093.
Remember great African American jazz musicians during Black History Month with an evening of great music at the Reston Museum & Shop on Saturday, February 27, 7:00 p.m. with special guests Beverly Cosham and Dingwall Fleary.
The next Electric Sunday Recycling Event will be held on February 28, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax.
The deadline for purchasing a Commemorative Brick to be installed in Reston's "Walk of Fame" is February 28. The bricks will be installed at the foot of the Bronze Bob statue at Lake Ann Village Center and will be dedicated on Founder's Day, Saturday, April 10. Orders must be received by Sunday, February 28, to be included for the 2010 installation. Order online at www.restonmuseum.org or in person at the Reston Museum, or call 703.709.7700.
"Generation Next: Reston Leadership Development" will be hosted and sponsored by the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods on Thursday, March 25, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. All are welcome to come to the RCC Community Room to share in an active dialog session on getting involved in leading our community. Those wishing to continue Reston's values in the work of civic and community organizations are urged to attend. Current and future leaders representing Arts, Culture, Education, Government, Human Services, Sports, and more will discuss concepts, leadership development, and getting involved. Refreshments will be provided by some of Reston's favorite eateries. RSVP to RCCContact@fairfaxcounty.gov. This event is free!
The Reston Community Orchestra will present "Spring Inflorescence - Ebony Vibrations" at a concert on Sunday, March 28, at 4:00 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods. Music by Chopin, Rubenstein, Debussy, and Crusell will be featured.
The 21st Annual Environment Virginia symposium will take place April 7 and 8 in Lexington, Virginia. The theme of this year's symposium is "Optimizing Stewardship in a Challenging Environment." Join over 500 environmental decision-makers from all sectors and from across the Commonwealth to learn the latest about environmental challenges and solutions and to build partnerships to implement solutions to these challenges. For detailed information and registration, visit www.vmi.edu/environmentva.
Mark your calendars for Reston's Founder's Day on Saturday, April 10, in honor of the 96th birthday of Reston founder Robert E. Simon, Jr., presented by Reston Historic Trust, Reston Museum. This celebration will be held on the Plaza at Lake Anne. Call 703.709.7700 for more details.
The Alice Ferguson Foundaiton will again host this year's Potomac River Watershed Cleanup on Saturday, April 10, 9:00 a.m. until noon. Cleanup sites will be listed on their website, www.PotomacCleanup.org, starting in March so you can pick your perfect location. Contact Ginny Harris Crake at gharris@fergusonfoundation.org for more information.
Save the date - Saturday, April 17, 7:30 p.m. - for the Reston Community Orchestra's annual benefit gala, "Puttin' on the Ritz." Visit www.restoncommunityorchestra.org for more information.
The Medical Care for Children Partnership Foundation will hold its "Dress Up with Grown-Ups Gala" on Saturday, April 17, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Fairview Park Marriott, Falls Church. Ticket prices are: Family Ticket for $300 per family (includes up to 2 adults and 2 children); $100 per extra adult; and $75 per extra child. The cost of one family ticket, $300, is the cost for medical care for an entire year for one child in the MCCP program. Bring your kids or your grandkids, or just come by yourselves. This unique gala will reflect the fact that MCCP Foundation raises funds for the medical care of uninsured children right here in our community. This event includes a silent auction, sit-down dinner, dancing to a DJ, family photo-op, and fun activities for the kids. For more information, contact Margery Leveen Sher at mlsher@mccpfoundation.org.
GRACE's 19th Annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival will be held May 15 and 16 at the Reston Town Center. Watch this section for more information about this year's Festival.
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| Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia e-News.
Authorized by Kenneth R. Plum. Paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum. |
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