Lake Anne Top

FCPS Proposed Budget - Cuts Will Affect Lake Anne

How Much Depends On You!

 
 
Every year, the Budget process is painful.
This year, it will be excruciating.

Fairfax County and Fairfax County Public Schools will continue to be required to make drastic cuts to services to all county residents because of the budgetary shortfall predicted for the next one or two fiscal years.
 
Monday's Washington Post (Metro B1) (http://tinyurl.com/LakeAnnePTA) says clearly that Foreign Language instruction at the Elementary level is quite likely to be cut from the schools budget. This means NO IMMERSION PROGRAM at Lake Anne.
 
In addition, Lake Anne's Art Focus School funding, narrowly restored last year, will likely cut as well. Our students would have reduced music and music instruction, reduced time in art class and no drama classes at all. Elementary level band and strings may be eliminated completely.
 
Class sizes will increase by one or two pupils per class. Services by social workers and counselors will likely be curtailed. And it is a sad possibility that teachers and aides will be laid off. (Teachers and staff did not receive any increase in pay last year and do not expect to see any increase this year as well)
 
If these programs are important to you, it is important to speak up. The vocal, organized parent groups make an impression on the lawmakers and school board. If you don't speak up about what is important to you, than it will be taken away.
 
We have no idea how that would play out for Lake Anne. The enrollment would be drastically reduced if the majority of students currently enrolled in Spanish Immersion returned to their boundary or base school. Our children would lose out and the school would lose as well.
 
We are working on preparing a short survey of Lake Anne families that will "take the temperature" of the community so we can clearly speak with one voice. Please look for that survey and complete it at your earliest convenience.
 
Here are a few ways to be heard:
  • Attend the budget "Dialogues" hosted by Fairfax County and FCPS. The next one close to Lake Anne will be on Saturday October 24 (this Saturday) from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon at the Reston Regional Library and then another meeting on Thursday October 29 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The South Lakes High School cafeteria. You need to register for either or both of these events by calling 703.324.3291 or visiting www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget. Bring your spouse, your children, your support system and make your feelings known.
  • Are you willing to gather information? Make some phone calls? Speak to the Board of Supervisors and/or the School Board?  Do you have suggestions for a concrete demonstration of our commitment to Lake Anne? Please email Carolyn Lawson Low (carolyn@familytalk.org)
  • If you use Twitter or FaceBook, please post this message (link below) to help spread the word. If you know someone who does not receive our emails, please forward this message to them.
 
Do you have questions? Do you want to become more involved? Do you want to share your opinion with other Lake Anne families and/or other immersion schools? Please let us know - we are counting on many voices to make our point.


Thank you, as always, for supporting the Lake Anne PTA and Lake Anne students.