FY2009 Budget Question of the Week
February 15: Why is FCPS continuing with the expansion of full-day kindergarten and the FLES programs, when we cannot pay for the programs already in place?
Ten years of data show that students in full-day kindergarten post higher test scores than children in half-day programs. When children have additional learning time in full-day kindergarten, they are better able to develop the foundational concepts, skills, and knowledge required for future success in school.
As part of the School Board’s strategic governance initiative, communication in at least two languages is a priority for all Fairfax County Public Schools students. The Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) program allows all students in a school the opportunity to learn a foreign language during an age when students are the most receptive to language learning. Knowledge of more than one language helps equip students with the skills they need in today’s job market and higher education.
Both the full-day kindergarten and Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools (FLES) programs—and all current FCPS programs—are fully funded for the current school year under the FY 2008 approved budget. At last night’s School Board business meeting, the Board amended the FY 2009 proposed budget to slow the growth of the FLES and full-day kindergarten.
February 8: I would like to comment on the proposal in the FY 2009 budget that grants teachers an equivalent pay raise of 6% (3% COLA and step increases) when the general population is only averaging 1-2%. This will mean that most teachers will receive salary increases that are more than twice the amount of the parents of the children they serve. We are currently in a time of economic downturn. These are hard times and Fairfax County is not being spared. It's not that I wouldn't like to see our teachers rewarded for their hard work, but given the choice of using taxpayer dollars for increasing teacher salaries and serving our kids, I believe our children should be first. I don't believe FCPS should be granting raises for teachers this year which outpace those received by workers in the general population.
Competition for hiring highly qualified staff is challenging. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has as a goal to develop compensation and benefit plans that are fair and equitable to attract and retain the highest quality employees competitive with the applicable marketplace. Because of the educational focus of this organization, many of our employees have education beyond the bachelor’s degree level. Approximately 63 percent of our teachers have degrees at the master’s level or higher.
With respect to instructional staff, FCPS’ standing is measured against the compensation practices of other local school districts. For fiscal year 2008, the average cost-of-living raise given by the other major local school districts was 2.56 percent. FCPS provided a cost-of-living raise of 2.0 percent. If they are eligible, employees may also receive a step raise that averages about 2.9 percent. For FY 2009, Montgomery County Public Schools has already committed to a 5 percent cost-of-living raise, plus step increases for their instructional staff. FCPS has proposed a cost-of-living raise of 3.0 percent and step raises for eligible employees.
According to the Salary Budget Survey from WorldatWork, the actual pay increase for all employees in the Washington D.C. area averaged 4.1 percent with a similar increase projected for 2008. Given the market for talented teachers and staff in the Washington Metropolitan area, it is believed that the proposed pay increase is prudent in order to maintain a highly competent workforce.
February 1: What is the potential impact on busing to gifted and talented (GT) center schools?
We are proposing to use the elementary schools feeding the GT centers as the depot stops; so your child's proposed stop would be the elementary school closest to your home.You have a strong voice in the decision, so please express your concerns to your school board member. The School Board is using feedback from parents and schools about the proposals to finalize their opinions.
January 25: What is the cost of running the 3 television channels?
FCPS cable television services are funded by franchise fees paid by local cable operators to Fairfax County. The cable franchise agreement requires operators to pay 8 percent of gross revenues to Fairfax County to fund “cable-related activities.” Fairfax County Public Schools receives 1 percent of the 8 percent franchise fee as its portion of the fee. The funding is used to support staff positions that provide media services for the schools. These services include production of public information, staff development, and instructional video programming, as well as associated outreach media services to help FCPS teachers use cable resources for instruction. Additionally, Cox cable provides channel space for three FCPS educational access channels. This is also a requirement of the franchise agreement and is provided to FCPS at no cost.