Dramatic Budget Cuts on the Horizon
Montgomery County Public School Superintendent, Jerry Weast, has put forth potential large-scale cuts if the MCPS operating budget for FY2010-2011 is not fully funded. These cuts threaten to dramatically affect our overall school resources including staffing, class sizes, media center support, and instructional materials. They will also eliminate transportation for the French Immersion program.
Because MCPS is proposing system-wide cuts, and singling out special programs such as our French Immersion program for additional cuts, we are responding on both fronts:
˜ At its January 2010 meeting, the PTA formally endorsed a letter to the County Council asking the Council to fully fund the MCPS budget to avoid the system-wide cuts laid out by Dr. Weast.
˜ The French Immersion Committee has drafted a petition in conjunction with our sister program at Maryvale, and in coordination with the Spanish Immersion program at Rock Creek Forest, to counter repeated cuts to immersion programs.
Because MCPS is proposing system-wide cuts, and singling out special programs such as our French Immersion program for additional cuts, we are responding on both fronts:
˜ At its January 2010 meeting, the PTA formally endorsed a letter to the County Council asking the Council to fully fund the MCPS budget to avoid the system-wide cuts laid out by Dr. Weast.
˜ The French Immersion Committee has drafted a petition in conjunction with our sister program at Maryvale, and in coordination with the Spanish Immersion program at Rock Creek Forest, to counter repeated cuts to immersion programs.
Now What?
We urgently need the Sligo Creek Community to come together to oppose further cuts to our elementary school programs. As we know from past budget cuts, each reduction in resources can negatively impact our whole community. For example, just picture the drop-off and pick-up line if transportation is eliminated for Immersion students! Once again we are asking parents to stand together on each of the cuts and take ALL of the actions below:
1. Send a letter to the County Council asking them to fully fund the MCPS budget.
(Click here to get a quick template for your letter).
2. Sign the petition to support the French Immersion program. The petition will be delivered to the Board of Education in conjunction with petitions for other immersion programs.
3. Be prepared to make calls or testify on behalf of our school.
4. Come to the PTA meetings on February 2 and March 2, 2010 to get informed.
5. Volunteer your time and skills by clicking here and shooting us an email. A few parents cannot fight this fight alone. We need parents with advocacy, media, and organizing skills to help us out. We need parents to copy letters or even staff a table at an event. We need it all!
6. Check the PTA Website early and often to stay informed and take action as needed.
(Click here to get a quick template for your letter).
2. Sign the petition to support the French Immersion program. The petition will be delivered to the Board of Education in conjunction with petitions for other immersion programs.
3. Be prepared to make calls or testify on behalf of our school.
4. Come to the PTA meetings on February 2 and March 2, 2010 to get informed.
5. Volunteer your time and skills by clicking here and shooting us an email. A few parents cannot fight this fight alone. We need parents with advocacy, media, and organizing skills to help us out. We need parents to copy letters or even staff a table at an event. We need it all!
6. Check the PTA Website early and often to stay informed and take action as needed.