Meeting Notes
Fairfax County School Board Community Leadership Council (CLC)
Gatehouse Administration Center
January 18, 2008
MEETING OPENING
Linkage Committee Chairman and Meeting Facilitator Brad Center convened the meeting at 7:45 a.m. The following members were in attendance:
• Ann Rodriguez, Arts Council of Fairfax
• Michele Menapace, Fairfax County Council of PTAs
• Jeffrey Parnes, Fairfax County Federation of Civic Associations
• Colonel David Rohrer, Fairfax County Chief of Police
• Luis Lama, Northern Virginia Realtors Association
• Han Jin Do, Korean American Association of Washington
Also present were Board Members Brad Center , Lee District; Dan Storck, Chairman and Mount Vernon District; Phil Niedzielski-Eichner, Providence District; Tessie Wilson, Braddock District; Kathy Smith, Vice Chairman and Sully District; James Raney , Member at Large; Division Superintendent Jack D. Dale; Deputy Superintendent Richard Moniuszko; Executive Assistant and Clerk of the Board Pamela Goddard; Deputy Clerk of the Board Linda Sabo; Assistant Superintendent for Communications and Community Outreach Barbara Hunter, and Chief of Staff Christine Donohue.
DISCUSSION
Mr. Center welcomed everyone and said that the topic of discussion would be the Superintendent's Proposed FY 2009 Budget. Dr. Dale provided a brief presentation and then council members and Board Members gathered in two small groups to discuss budget priorities. Mr. Niedzielski-Eichner facilitated the discussion with council members Chief Rohrer, Luis Lama, and Han Jin Do. Mrs. Smith facilitated the discussion with council members Jeffrey Parnes, Michele Menapace, and Ann Rodriquez.
Feedback from both groups included:
• Suggested the option of charging students a partial fee for AP/IB/PSAT tests; but also voiced the concern that there would be a decrease of students taking these classes;• Recommended that the School Board should ask the Board of Supervisors for the $50m deficit;
• Requested additional information on the $18m for teacher leadership;
• Suggested the hold back on expansion of full-day kindergarten and FLES; and wanted to know the value of full-day kindergarten;
• Suggested that an athletic fee would be more attractive than a broad-focused activity fee;
• Strongly recommended that we ensure we keep good teachers and stay competitive;
• Suggested that a 3 percent cost-of-living increase be targeted on teaching positions rather than at all employees as one way of achieving savings;
• Recommended keeping the focus on program cost-effectiveness – keep the pressure on to demonstrate the benefit versus cost;
• Suggested changes to the presentation to make it clear that while certain items may be make as streamline or reduced that are still expansions compare to last year's budget;
• Supported the focus on transportation; and
• Asked if the administrative cuts proposed by the Superintendent are sufficient relative to classroom cuts?
Mr. Niedzielski-Eichner reminded the council members that the Board Members, along with Financial Services staff members, are available to provide budget presentations at community meetings. Attached is the link for the Superintendent's presentation. The next meeting would be held in March. The School Board office will send out an email in the next few weeks with suggested dates.
The meeting adjourned at 9:14 a.m.
Curator: Linda Sabo, Linda.Sabo@fcps.edu