School Board Passes Budget With Full-Day Kindergarten, Teacher Raises, Athletic Fee Cap
School board members say future budgets must better address teacher raises, per pupil funding
Photos
The Fairfax County School Board approved a 1 percent pay raise for employees and county-wide full-day kindergarten with a unanimous passage of a $2.2 billion fiscal year 2012 budget late Thursday night.
A handful of parents supporting full-day kindergarten, all dressed in white shirts as a show of solidarity for their cause, cheered when the budget finally passed. They hoisted placards thanking school officials for implementing “full-day K” after the vote was final.
“It is unfair to deny students the same educational opportunity as their peers just because of the neighborhood in which their parents live,” said board member Elizabeth Bradsher (Springfield). “We’re correcting that tonight.”
The vote will put full-day kindergarten in place at all 36 schools without it by the start of the next school year. The school board did not address how the system would hire, or make space for additional classrooms.
Board member Jane Strauss (Dranesville) said she is “delighted” that all schools will receive full-day kindergarten next year.
“We are at that point where the curriculum has changed for our newest and youngest students when they come to us at five,” she said. “Our curriculum in kindergarten is premised on a full-day program, and we can’t deliver it to those children in half the time.”
Board member Tina Hone (at-large) agreed that part-time kindergartners had been deprived of educational opportunities, but rejected the notion that parents pushing for full-day kindergartner “were the most effective advocates we’d ever seen.”
“The majority of us wanted to do full-day K, so you were not – they were not swimming against the tide,” Hone said. “And I think it’s crucial that the generosity that we showed as a board to the full-day K is a generosity we extend to all of our parents who are advocating for things, even if they are for things we as a board do not necessarily support.”
The approved 1 percent pay hike fell short of the 2 percent raise included in Superintendent Jack Dale’s initial budget proposal. Still, several school board members called it a step in the right direction.
“My sincere apologies to all our staff that it doesn’t go far enough,” school board vice-chair Brad Center said. “I just, frankly, couldn’t find another way to increase where we are in the way of compensation. It’s a down payment that needs to be addressed as the years continue.”
The Fairfax Education Association, a union that represents county teachers, had said at past work sessions they hoped a lower-than-expected raise would be complemented with a review of teacher workload. The issue was not mentioned by board members Thursday nightt.
Board members in a budget amendment voted to cap the maximum amount of athletic fees at two per student, per year. A second amendment to increase student parking fees from $200 to $225, made by board member Jim Raney (at-large), failed following a lengthy discussion.
The board voted to make up for the revenue it will lose in capping the athletic fee by reducing the $10,000 given to each of the county's 26 high schools for processing payments to $4,400.
Before casting their final budget votes, each of the dozen school board members spoke at length, sharing their thoughts about the budget process and other topics. For several board members not running for re-election, it was their last chance to make such a post-budget speech.
Board member Stuart Gibson (Hunter Mill) said he found this year’s budget process – his 16th and last as a school board member – to be “bittersweet.” He reminded attendees that Fairfax County has no control over how much money comes into the system through taxes or legislative allocation.
“There is something inherently wrong about a system that elects school board members, and then tasks them with the impossible task of educating nearly 180,000 students to very high standards without giving them the resources to do it,” he said. “I would encourage people as we move forward to plan next year’s budget that we ask the tough questions: How are we going to address the long-term funding needs of our schools and our children?”
Strauss said while it’s fine to take a moment to celebrate funding certain programs like full day kindergarten, she urged everyone to remember that the school system is still in a position of having to make continued cuts.
“World class schools are what this community wants,” she said. “In spite of tight budgets, we have to find a way to provide that.”
Janet
7:48 am on Friday, May 27, 2011
The school board may not be in charge of the monies coming into the school, but FCPS can be more responsible regarding how our educational dollars are spent.
Transparency from the board is an excellent goal. Lean budgets help move cost-cutting innovative ideas or simple solutions forward. Whenever I park at Gatehouse with the lighting system directing me to an available parking space or see the lobby space wasted on each floor --- I no longer wonder where the money goes. All this when so many teenagers do not even have working restroom in their own schools. How many of us are asked to perform basic body functions in front of our peers? Give the students doors....and more.
Kevin G.
9:32 am on Friday, May 27, 2011
Good to know Abe Lincoln is doing well and attending school board meetings. Rumors of his demise must have been extremely exaggereated.
On a more serious note, teaching to the test is a terribly bad practice and unfortunately that's what schooling has become. SOLs are not at all an assessment of what has been taught and how much the kids retained; it is an assessment of how well the teachers have prepared them for certain testing aspects.
Bob
11:19 am on Friday, May 27, 2011
We would get much more bang for our educational dollar if students all showed up for school ready to learn. Parents need to read to their children, get them to bed on time, make certain they eat breakfast and limit screen time (TV, computers, and video games).
Patty Reed
2:17 pm on Friday, May 27, 2011
I addressed the issue of teacher workload at last night's Board meeting after we passed the budget that included increased compensation to employees. I noted that author Daniel Pink identifies three keys to motivation: autonomy, mastery and purpose. Our teachers have mastery and purpose, but do not have autonomy because they are given many mandates and constraints. Some of these constraints and excessive demands are imposed by the school system, while others are federal or state requirements. We need to let teachers teach and we must agree on a more reasonable work load. The School Board must do more to address non-monetary approaches to improve the quality of work life in our schools. I will continue to advocate for our most precious resource, our employees. - Patty Reed, FCPS School Board, Providence District
Cassie
10:10 am on Saturday, May 28, 2011
The teachers got a 1% COLA and a 1% step increase, correct? This article seems to read differently.
Greg Crider
10:43 am on Saturday, May 28, 2011
Both the School Board and Board of Supervisors should take credit (and obviously they are) for funding Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) without raising the County’s transfer to the school budget. Superintendent Dale’s proposed budget, which the School Board endorsed, raised the transfer by nearly $49 million or 3%, but did not include the $8 million for FDK. The School Board’s endorsement directed Dale to identify a funding source for FDK that would not further increase the transfer request. The Board of Supervisors went even further and resoundingly said NO to any increase in the transfer, but did identify “savings” that the schools could use to fund FDK.
Regarding Board Members’ comments on increased teacher pay and workload, I am glad they were able to “find” the funds for a 1% although they wanted a 2% COLA increase. But look around, we just went through the worst recession ever. County employees have not had an increase for 2 yrs and may not get one this year; Federal employees will not be getting a COLA for 2 yrs; many folks in private industry are still unemployed or working at lower paying jobs; all retirees I know are living on reduced dividends, no COLA’s etc. No one is singling out school employees, we are all making sacrifices. In this environment, the current School Board still endorsed a 3% increase and just doesn’t seem to get it. This is an election year, and it’s time for a change.
Greg Crider
10:34 am on Sunday, May 29, 2011
Since Marta stood up for me, I’ll do the same for her. John, your comment about Marta, as well as other comments I’ve seen by you about the School Board nominees, are not adding to the discussion and are politicizing the issues. These races shouldn’t be about which political party endorses a candidate, but rather what each candidate will bring to solving the great challenges that all Fairfax County residents are facing.
Personally, I don’t care if they are running as a Democrat, Republican, Independent or from the “purple party”. Hopefully, most voters feel the same way. We need a change from the decisions being made the current School Board membership.
John Farrell
11:00 am on Sunday, May 29, 2011
If politics had nothing to do with the School Board, then why did Marta only mention those seeking the FCRC endorsement.
There will be at least 6 new school board members. Charisse Glassman will be terrific. So will Meaghan McLaughlin and Tammy Kaufman. All endorsed by FCDC. Do you and Marta dismiss them as being change agents just because they were endorsed by FCDC?
In a county of 1.1 million, only political parties can provide the enormous resources necessary to present candidates to that electorate. Maybe, someday, another group will develop that ability but in 2011, its the two parties.
Certainly, some School Board candidates are closer to their party's core than others but if a candidate is seeking a party's endorsement, their supporters ought to be proud enough of the affiliation to acknowledge it.
If you're prepare to vote for a candidate regardless party, tell us which FCDC endorsed School Board candidate will you be supporting in November?
Maria Allen
11:28 pm on Monday, May 30, 2011
It's tough to follow this discussion with so many comments deleted. This year, voters will have the option to choose highly qualified at-large candidates who have not been endorsed by or beholden to either party. The parties' stranglehold on this nonpartisan race has disenfranchised the public and produced a school board that is mediocre at best. Recent events have awakened parents to the importance of an effective and forceful school board. It's up to voters to reassert their right to choose who will represent them.
Full disclosure - I sought but did not receive the FCDC (democratic party) endorsement, and so far, am continuing to run without party endorsement.
FFX County Resident
7:51 am on Tuesday, May 31, 2011
PART I—
Ok, back to the issues of the story. The budget and FDK! the budget issue, can be solved real easy and I said this once before. If everyone administrator, FFX County Gov't employee and faculty member were charged the $200.00 parking fee just like the students, finding money wouldn't be an issue. Can you imagine that? if you don't want to pay the fee, take the metro or connector just like the rest of the population, and leave a smaller carbon footprint. It's a win-win for all. There are plenty of busses and stops in the neighborhoods.
Next, I truly want to see that stats on full-day kindergarten (FDK) versus half-day. I mean, if so many schools were out there for years teaching half-day, were those kids less qualified to be placed in first grade? I think not. In fact, most if not all half-day kindergarten classes excel beyond the standard FDK. Why? There are many factors to include less filler time and rest periods (nap time). But, those are just two, there are many others out there. But, prove to me otherwise. My personal opinion on that issue is....parents who support the half-day going to full day are just being selfish.
Gary
12:22 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
FFX County Resident,
You say
"Next, I truly want to see that stats on full-day kindergarten (FDK) versus half-day. I mean, if so many schools were out there for years teaching half-day, were those kids less qualified to be placed in first grade? I think not. In fact, most if not all half-day kindergarten classes excel beyond the standard FDK.".
So, where are your stats? On what basis are you making the statement that half-day K kids are better prepared than FDK kids?
FFX County Resident
7:57 am on Tuesday, May 31, 2011
PART II-
They want the school systems to babysit our kids so they either get a part-time job, or get things done around town or the house. Do you know the excitement it brings me when my daughter comes out of half-day and tells me about her time. then says, daddy, what are we doing this afternoon after lunch? Bike-riding, digging for worms, going to the park, bowling, fishing or museum? Those are cherished memories, and you'll never get that experience if you pick your kids up from school at 400pm, race off to soccer or dance, try to feed them on the way, rush home afterwards to give them a bath, and then off to bed. Being half-day allows (ed) me, past tense now, huh.., to enjoy my daughters company and complete involvement of school (homework) versus the soccer mom or dad syndrome. But the vote on FDK was all about the unions. You hire more teachers, of course with off-sets within the budget, but at the same time collect more dues from them. Talk about the political machine. YES! This is all about politics and money. It’s not about teaching, or FFX School System being the best anymore, it’s about the money aspect. If it were truly about the teaching aspect, then why consolidate schools and close down Clifton or any other schools that were excelling?
FFX County Resident
8:06 am on Tuesday, May 31, 2011
PART III-
I’m not an advocate for Clifton or other schools, I just wanted to point out, that school board members and parents alike, don’t think beyond the me and my kids syndrome. Clifton was the perfect showcase and model for FFX County. Kids were excelling in every subject well beyond their counterparts, and yet, they chose to close it and disburse the population amongst other schools. It wouldn’t have brought the other kids up to their standards, it would lower the standards of learning for the Clifton mix. The school board robbed peter to pay paul. Call it crazy. Now, closing Clifton, didn’t save any money, it just disbursed among to pay for the new teachers, and pay raises. But….check me if I’m wrong, call for a FOIA release of the monies going to West Springfield next year or school year 2013. See how much is going to improvements or refurbishments of that one school as compared to others. Tell the whole truth, and not just enough to pull the wool over the eyes. I see “insider” wheelin’ and dealin.
FFX County Resident
8:20 am on Tuesday, May 31, 2011
PART IV-
But, those are only my personal opinions. I have noticed in the last few board meetings and discussions, that folks are afraid to tell the board they are wrong and even that “ the emperor has no close on”. The school board has done remarkable things in the past, I’m all gun-ho on that, don’t get me wrong, but when political influence and party lines get pulled into the decision making process, then you are bound to have corruption, which one can plainly see is occurring. Remember, a couple of thing as previously mentioned; easily solve the budget crisis by implementing and FFX County employee parking fee at county facilities and truly question the roles and responsibilities of parents with the selfishness of promoting full-day kindergarten. Find and the read the stats that says otherwise. Don't give me the crud that it's all about communication and socialization skills either. My daughter and son get plenty of that through other neighborhood kids, going to the park, soccer, and dance. Bring back the pride of being a FFX County Student. Bring back the pride of living in FFX County. Bring back the pride of being the best in the nation when it comes to our school system! And for goodness sakes, just don’t look outside the box, burn it down!
FFX County Resident
7:16 am on Thursday, June 2, 2011
An excerpt from a handout by Mary Ann Rafoth, Ph.D., Beth Buzi, and Sara A. Grimes, to appear in "Helping Children at Home and School.....
What Is Best for My Child? For some children and families, a good quality half-day kindergarten program will offer sufficient experiences for the development of strong school readiness and social skills, while also providing time for other life experiences within the home or other community settings. For other children, the additional time spent in the structured learning and social activities of a full-day program will provide more ideal preparation for formal education. Particularly for children who have had limited learning and social experiences, or who are at risk for later difficulties due to developmental problems, family stress, or other factors, a high quality, full-day kindergarten program may offer the best opportunity to reduce the impact of these risks from the very beginning. There is no evidence that full-day programs are harmful to children.
If your child is already in a preschool program, discuss half versus full-day options with your child's early childhood teachers or day care providers. If possible, visit the options in your community, and find out more about the learning and socialization experiences they offer.
Most importantly, when making decisions about full-day or half-day programs, parents should recognize that what a child does during the kindergarten day is more important than the length of the school day.
FFX County Resident
7:20 am on Thursday, June 2, 2011
Sorry, ran out of room-that was an excerpt from:
Full or Half Day
Kindergarten?
Suggestions for Parents
From the National Association
of School Psychologists
by:Mary Ann Rafoth, Ph.D., Beth Buzi, and Sara A. Grimes, to appear in "Helping Children at Home and School: Handouts from Your School Psychologist, Second Edition" (National Association of School Psychologists).
FFX County Resident
7:20 am on Thursday, June 2, 2011
Sorry, ran out of room-that was an excerpt from:
Full or Half Day
Kindergarten?
Suggestions for Parents
From the National Association
of School Psychologists
by:Mary Ann Rafoth, Ph.D., Beth Buzi, and Sara A. Grimes, to appear in "Helping Children at Home and School: Handouts from Your School Psychologist, Second Edition" (National Association of School Psychologists).