Schools Feeling Impact of Cutbacks
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
 
I learned recently that the Page County School Board has decided to close GroveHillElementary School that I attended for my first seven years of schooling.  The locality has lost too much in state education funding and local tax revenues to be able to keep the 100-year-old community school open.  The longer bus rides to other schools that the 150 students will have to take to attend larger classes are but a few examples of how the recession and the reductions in state school funding are impacting on schools.  In my district, schools are increasing class size, reducing programs, and adding fees to make up for some of the lost revenue.
 
A paper, "The Evolution of Virginia Public School Finance:  From the Beginnings to Today's Difficulties" by Professor Richard G. Salmon of Virginia Tech who is the acknowledged expert on public school finances in the state, quantifies the fiscal challenges being felt by the public schools.  According to his report that is in the June, 2010, The Virginian News Letter of the WeldonCooperCenter for Public Service at the University of Virginia (www.coopercenter.org), Virginia "ranks among the lowest in the nation for fiscal effort for education based on personal income."  The National Education Association estimates that for the 2009-2010 school year Virginia will rank 47th lowest in public school funding as a percent of personal income.
 
As is true for all states, Virginia's education funding would be even bleaker if it had not been for the infusion of federal stimulus dollars.  Federal aid per pupil in Virginia for the past several years has hovered around $700; this year with the stimulus money it jumped to over $1,200.  Next year it is likely to revert back.
 
Professor Salmon has a reputation for being direct in his findings and conclusions on public school funding.  He does not disappoint in this report.  "Both the executive and the legislature," he wrote, "have relied exclusively on cost containment and have implemented massive budget reductions for virtually all state agencies in order to balance the budget.  The reductions have fallen particularly hard on public education...Both [the executive and the legislature] have attempted to convince the public that their constitutional obligation to provide and maintain a high quality system of public schools has been fulfilled by engaging in a series of charades."  The charades he refers to are the use of the federal stimulus dollars, reduction in personnel requirements, and a raid on the state Literacy Fund.
 
As the public becomes more aware of the impact that current budgeting practices are having on educational programs for their children, grandchildren, and children in the community, will the public demand that their legislators develop the backbone and will to deal more realistically with the budget?  I voted against the current budget as being inadequate.  Next year the impact on schools will be even greater.

 

The Virginia State Corporation Commission has introduced a new consumer education program to help Virginians become smarter energy users and reduce their electricity consumption.  Virginia Energy Sense gives consumers an accessible and informative source for energy conservation and efficiency information.  The statewide initiative encourages Virginians to "value your power."  At the core of the Virginia Energy Sense program is a comprehensive, interactive website, www.VirginiaEnergySense.org.  The website provides consumers with information and resources to assist them in becoming smarter energy users -- from helpful step-by-step videos to a range of easy, budget-friendly tips like how to use appliances more efficiently and save on heating and cooling costs.  The website also features an innovative tool that allows Virginians to automatically track their energy consumption, compare their use with friends and neighbors, and earn rewards to popular retailers.  Virginia Energy Sense has partnered with Earth Aid to provide this tool.  For more information, visit www.VirginiaEnergySense.org.

 

The Alliance to Save Energy (http://ase.org) advises that hard-working AC units add a strain on the nation's electricity grid and lead to brownouts and power outages, not to mention higher monthly electric bills.  You can take action to lower your household's energy usage and reduce your utility bills.

* A profedssional "tune-up" of AC equipment could save you the cost and misery of a breakdown on the hottest days.

* Replacing your 12+ year old central air conditioning system (CAC) with an ENERGY STAR qualified model could cut your cooling cots by 30 percent.

* Make sure CAC systems or window units are properly sized.  A system that's too large will not keep your home comfortable due to frequent "on/off" cycling.  A qualified contractor can help you ensure proper sizing.

* Purchase the AC unit with the highest Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) that you can afford - the higher the SEER level, the more energy-efficient the equipment.  Current federal appliance standards require a SEER rating of at least 13 on CAC systems.

* Clean or replace CAC system filters monthly and window unit filters even more frequently.

* Using ceiling fans to circulate air will make you feel cooler and possibly allow you to raise the temperature setting on your AC thermostat by a few degrees.  But be sure to turn the fan off when you leave the room, because fans cool people, not rooms.

* A programmable thermostat automatically sets indoor temperatures to match your schedule, reducing cooling bills by up to 10 percent.

* Plug energy leaks with weather stripping and caulking and be sure your house is properly insulated to save up to 20 percent on cooling (and winter heating) bills.

* Consider  investing in energy-efficient windows so your AC unit doesn't have to work overtime to compensate for letting in more heat.

 

Chemical Bombs - Be Aware!

In 2006, the USO and United Through Reading partnered to extend the nationally recognized United Through Reading's Military Program to service members at select USO centers worldwide.  Today, in addition to recording sites on Navy ships worldwide and remote operating bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, service men and women can visit more than 60 USO centers in airports, community locations, military medical facilities, and overseas bases to read a book aloud while being recorded on DVD.  Children continually express the emotion of having their deployed parent right there in their own living room!  Since 1990, United Through Reading has been uniting military families facing physical separation by having the deployed service member read a children's book aloud while being recorded on DVD to send home to their children. 

 

Delegate Ken Plum was pleased to be able to make a contribution to United Through Reading's Military Program at the recent annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Louisville, KY, where he purchased and donated children's books for this program.  Support this program and our service men, women, and families by making a contribution at www.uso.org.

 

Help Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) send a needy child to school "Ready to Learn!"  With demand skyrocketing over the last year, NVFS will distribute at least 2,000 backpacks full of school supplies.  NVFS is once again partnering with Apple Federal Credit Union on their "Stuff the Bus Campaign."  Apple FCU is generously using many of their branch locations as collection points for backpacks and school supplies.  In the Fairfax/Oakton area, donations may be taken to 2970 Chain Bridge Road in Oakton at the following times:  Monday, August 2 through Friday, August 6, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., or by appointment; Monday, August 9 through Wednesday, August 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or by appointment.  For more information, contact Jennifer Rose, Community Giving Specialist, at 703.219.2174.

 

Literacy Council of NoVA Sponsors Training for Volunteer Tutors