School Board Newsletter, March 31, 1998

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Subj: School Board Newsletter
Date: 98-03-31 11:52:10 EST
From: James.C.Klagge@bev.net (James C. Klagge)
To: "School Issues List"@vt.edu

Dear Friends,

The turn-out at the Board of Supervisors hearing on Tuesday, 3/24, was good. There were about 100 people there, many supporting the school budget and the proposed tax increase. (I was especially impressed by the turn-out by the CMS PTA.) 13 people spoke in favor of the school budget and the tax increase. 11 spoke in favor of a pay increase for sheriff deputies, another dozen spoke in favor of other items for the county budget. Only one person spoke against the tax increase. Although the supervisors are influnced by lots of things, I think this hearing went well.

The supervisors need to make a decision on the budget and the tax rate by April 10th. If you have not spoken up, I encourage you to contact your supervisor and let your views be known ASAP. You can contact them as follows:

District A-Annette Perkins: perkins@bev.net
B-Nick Rush: 381-2174
C-Joe Stewart: 268-2303
D-Jim Politis: bcbuffalo@aol.com
E-Ira Long: 552-2528
F-Mary Biggs: mbiggs@mail.mcps.org
G-Joe Gorman: 552-2150

The more they hear, the more representative their decision can be. The public hearing is just PART of what they hear.

I have heard from several people about their interest in looking at starting times for secondary schools. In particular, should we perhaps start elementary schools at 8 and secondary schools at 9? Many people are struck by research into the biological clocks of children and youth. There are many factors relevant to this issue. I want you to know that at our work session in May--May 19th at 7:30pm--we have planned a discussion of this. The administration will be providing information on all aspects of this issue so that interested people can see the pros and cons of switching starting times. I hope interested people will attend. It is easy to get persuaded by one side, without knowing all the factors. The SB will have a chance to start discussing the issue, and if it looks promising to us and it looks like there is community interest, we may initiate a community-wide discussion with a view to considering making a change that could be effective fall of 1999.

Hope you don't mind a short newsletter for a change.

-Jim Klagge
School Board Member, District F
& SB Chair.

email: admin@gisone.com