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Latest info..
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| It looks like the BOS not only will hear Mrs. Keller’s presentation of the SB budget, but they are a - Monday, March 18, 2013If I understand correctly, once they set this, they cannot increase the tax rate above it. That means if they set it at $0.79, the schools are in real trouble. This only increases the importance of a very important meeting. We really need to community to come to this meeting. We need to pack it like we did in November. The media will be covering it and we need to be present. NBC will be doing a story on Tuesday night as well. I noted a target of 1,000 expected residents.. let’s make the final push! read more ... |
| Fluvanna Public Schools Once Again at Risk of Not Receiving Full Funding from Board of Supervisors - Friday, March 15, 2013For Immediate Release
Date:March 14, 2013
Contact: Bill Sullivan (Email:FocusOnFluvanna@gmail.com; Tel: (434) 878-4159)
Focus on Fluvanna’s Future Petitions the Fluvanna Board of Supervisors to please listen to the School Board and approve the $14.1m budget request to meet the basic school needs
Palmyra, VA - On March 13th, the SchoolBoard (SB) adopted the Superintendent’s FY14 School budget proposalof ~$14.1 million. This was based on the same information shared withthe Board of Supervisors (BOS) during February Joint SB/BOS budget working session. During that session, the BOS had no questions orconcerns regarding the figures shared, inferring they were ready tofund the schools' basic needs. An objective of those working sessions was to have transparent, collaborative dialogue regarding the budgetbetween the two Boards early in the budgeting process, yet the BOS asked minimal questions and raised no concerns during the meeting.
The $14.1 million which was approved bythe School Board is described by Superintendent Keller as both“unsustainable” and will negatively impact the quality ofeducation next year. As a result of cost cutting measures, Cunningham and Columbia Elementary will be closed, 33 positions willbe eliminated in addition to the 54 positions which have already beeneliminated over the last three years, and class sizes at Central Elementary could increase to 26 or 27 children per classroom. Eventhough the SB is displeased with this budget’s impact on theschools, it appeared to be their only option given the BOS’ refusal to understand and adequately fund the most basic school district needs. read more ... |
| School Board Meeting to Finalize Budget to BOS - Tuesday, March 12, 2013 The School Board will be adopting their proposed school budget tomorrow and Superintendent Keller will present this budget to the BOS on March 20th. The proposed budget request will likely be ~$14m. This is ~$900k more than what was included in County Administrator Nichols budget (which was less than what the Schools received last year and which includes a recommended tax cut). |
| November 20th, 2012 Press Release - Tuesday, November 20, 2012900+ Individuals Sign Petition Insisting the Fluvanna Board of Supervisors
Adopt a More Informed, Collaborative, and Solutions-Based Approach to Governing
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| Focus on Fluvanna Nov 19 Press Release - Monday, November 19, 2012Fluvanna Board of Supervisorscontinues to hold School Staff and Students hostage to politicalvengeance,
placing the current and future quality of Fluvanna County Public Schools andFluvanna as a whole at risk
For ImmediateRelease
Date:November 19, 2012
Contact: BillSullivan (Email: FocusOnFluvanna@gmail.com;Tel: (434) 878-4159)
Focuson Fluvanna’s Future Insists the Board of Supervisors Adopt a More Informed,Collaborative, and Solutions-Based Approach to Governing
Palmyra, VA - Focuson Fluvanna’s Future (FFF) is concerned with the Fluvanna Board of Supervisors(BOS) unwillingness to understand the current crisis facing Fluvanna CountyPublic Schools and the lack of options the School Board (SB) has to address theimmediate budget without additional funding. The Fluvanna communityinsists the BOS stops holding the School Staff and Students political hostagewith their refusal for additional funding and takes a more informed,solutions-based approach to governing. read more |
| Mr Ullenbruch's response to the Mrs. Mozell's letter in the review. - Tuesday, July 17, 2012It feels appropriate that this should be shared on our site as it aligns with our goal of ensuring we are all informed on the positions of our elected officials on important topics impacting our community….
"I was very sad to read your rant in the Fluvanna Review. First, there was no mistake made cutting non prof...its. In fact it is time non profits stopped leaning on both local, state , and federal government. Further cuts will be made next year. Second, no mistake was made in the school budget cuts, school will go on and education will happen, there will be no further funding for fiscal 2013. You could have written a letter stating you were giving up your 43k per year part time job, and leaving cash to keep a full time teacher, but no such statement..... Hmmmmm. There is no end in your politics to spend other peoples money to no end. That is indeed sad." - Supervisor Ullenbruch. |
| EW Thomas Cash Mob - Saturday, July 07, 2012
Over 100 Fluvanna residents have already pledged to join a cash mob to shop at the EW Thomas grocery store in Palmyra this Saturday to help the distressed business.
The store lost all of his meat, including deli meats, and ice cream after power went out on Friday night because of the storm, said owner Beth Thomas. The store didn’t get power back until Sunday morning.
Gina Elliott Proulx organized the cash mob through Facebook. The point of a cash mob is to spend money at a small business in need of help. Shoppers are asked to spend around $20 during the spree.
This is believed to be Fluvanna’s first cash mob event.
“I am overwhelmed and very thankful,” said Thomas. “So we not only lost Saturday business – which is our busiest day – but we lost all our meat, our deli meant, our ice cream. When it’s 100 degrees outside there’s no saving anything.”
Proulx, who Thomas said she didn’t know, wrote on Facebook that: “Focus on Fluvanna’s Future is hosting a CASH MOB to assist a local business hit hard by the power outrages associated with last week’s storms. Lost stock, customer traffic, and cleanup has strained this business significantly.
Cash Mobs typically ask participants to pledge to spend at least $20 in an establishment. But any purchases will be appreciated, regardless of amount. Spend what you are able to.
All you need do – is RSVP here, so we can have an idea of how many to tell the merchant to expect. Then show up at EW Thomas at 9:30 a.m. or later – for a bit of grocery shopping. And that’s it.
We are Fluvanna...And we hope to see you on Saturday, as we try to help some neighbors in a time of need.”
Focus on Fluvanna’s Future is a grassroots movement aimed at improving the dialogue between citizens and Fluvanna’s local government.
Thomas said she knows that if the cash mob descends on the store that she will “have tears in my eyes.
“I’d better start frying the chicken.”
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 | We begin our media efforts - Wednesday, June 13, 2012We felt compelled to respond to recent advertisements in the Fluvanna Review. We believe ads were unbalanced and did not represent facts in a complete and accurate fashion. This site and our efforts are based on providing a balanced approach in educating our community with facts. Read more |
| June 10th Newsletter - Sunday, June 10, 2012 |
| Newsletter #1 is ready - Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Thanks to Craig for his efforts. By the way we are waving a supervisor's broken promise. read more ... |
| Membership on facebook tops 500 - Sunday, June 03, 2012
We are growing by the day. In just weeks we have grown dramatically. If you use facebook join us today. If you don't have facebook and want to stay informed join our mailing list here.
read more ... |
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It looks like the BOS not only will hear Mrs. Keller’s presentation of the SB budget, but they are also making a decision on the Advertised tax rate. If we understand correctly, once they set this, they cannot increase the tax rate above it. That means if they set it at $0.79, the schools are in real trouble. This only increases the importance of a very important meeting. We really need to community to come to this meeting. We need to pack it like we did in November. The media will be covering it and we need to be present. NBC will be doing a story on Tuesday night as well. I noted a target of 1,000 expected residents.. let’s make the final push SIGN & PASS THIS PETITION ON NOW
SAVE OUR SCHOOLS ALLOCATE AT LEAST 14 MILLION:
The School Board will be adopting their proposed school budget tomorrow and Superintendent Keller will present this budget to the BOS on March 20th. The proposed budget request will likely be ~$14m. This is ~$900k more than what was included in County Administrator Nichols budget (which was less than what the Schools received last year and which includes a recommended tax cut).
The ~$14m budget the SB is likely to adopt includes the closing of Cunningham and Columbia elementary schools, it results on 33 jobs eliminated, it will have a significant increase in class size (up to 25 or 26 at Central Elementary, and many other cuts. Mrs. Keller has described this budget as unsustainable and that it represents a budget that will result in a significant reduction in the quality of education being provided to our children. Sadly, given the discussions with the BOS, this is the most they feel prepared to request as even this bare bones request is likely to face an uphill battle with the BOS.
We have created a new petition (different than the link below from November) which will be shared with the Board of Supervisors on March 20th asking them to allocate the $14m request from the SB. If the BOS does not approve this request, we will see even further cuts and slashing in the schools which will be worse than the past year we just experienced.
Please take 2 minutes to read the petition and sign it. Please also share this petition link with your neighbors and friends in Fluvanna. Our visible support both with the petition signatures and our presence at the March 20th BOS meeting will be critical to make the BOS aware of how important this issue is to the community.
Thanks
THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO YOUR COUNTY
Get Informed, Get Involved, and Make a Difference
The final budget provided to the School Board in FY13 was ~$1.9m below the original FY13 School Budget plan and ~$540k below FY12. The SB implemented two furloughs, 20 RIFs, and other cuts to adjust.The Schools currently have a minimum budget short-fall of ~$300k as a result of unforeseen fuel and insurance costs, but the BOS did not second a motion to fund the schools, forcing 4 more furloughs.The BOS still refuses to collect accurate information and work together with the SB to understand the crisis and to find a solution; the school staff is being decimated as a result.The BOS’ role is to report to the citizens of Fluvanna, but the BOS is holding Fluvanna children and school staff political hostage instead of representing their constituents and finding solutions.
The School Board (SB) considered the following items this year, but was forced to implement furloughs due to legal considerations. However, the SB confirmed the following items need to be considered for next year’s budget if funding is not increased:
- Implement 4-day school week with longer days
- Eliminate pupil bus transportation
- Eliminate all athletics programs
- Close Cunningham Elementary School
- Close Columbia Elementary School
- Eliminate Alternative Education
- Add additional furlough days for all school staff
Continued underfunding of education will also likely result in:
- Loss of experienced teachers and administrators
- Reduced educational experience for children
- Significant further decrease in property values
- Negative impact on business & economic growth
- Increased drop-out rates and local crime
We need your help to pass the word along and involve the community. You can make a difference today by:
What some of your neighbors are saying ...
Comments from Signers of Focus on Fluvanna’s Future Petition to Board of Supervisors
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Missing an opportunity for children is missing an opportunity for a generation.
Schools are a primary component to a community. Quality Schools attract quality residents. You don't under-fund the future citizens of the county. If the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS keeps it up - people will start losing jobs and will leave as well. Property Values will fall and thereby reducing tax revenue.
The education of the children should be first because they will grow up into the next generation and the example we set for them today will, be their tomorrow.
Fluvanna is going to end up broke and a ghost town. I will move out of Fluvanna to save my Children’s rights to have a great education and everything that they deserve to have as our children.
A good education is how we prevent future problems for our community, problems that will cause all to suffer. It's that simple. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS step up or leave!
We need to take care of our kids and our future! We've already built this school ... now let's use it to better our children and our community!
Facts need to be understood by all- I am a school bus driver & parent of 3 kids in Fluvanna schools. Sadly we depend upon 5 people to make our funding decisions for the schools. The BOARD OF SUPERVISORS has shown that the majority of them are simply politicians and have no interest in knowing the facts.
There is a huge lack of communication going on. At this level of government it shouldn't be this bad. see more ..
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Focus on Fluvanna's Future formed in response to recent actions by the Fluvanna Board of Supervisors which resulted in sudden and unexpected cuts that are threatening the well being of our school system and services provided to children, seniors and the disabled in our community.
We are a non-partisan grassroots movement whose members represent a diverse cross-section of the community including property owners, parents, teachers, students, and retirees who share the common goal of fostering a productive and solutions oriented dialog between citizens and our local government. We believe the interest of our community supersede political affiliations and partisanship.
We share the common goal of educating on our community with fact and fostering a productive solutions-oriented dialogue between citizens and our local government that result in an appropriate balance between community needs, healthy growth and fiscal responsibility.
We have many gems in Fluvanna County: wonderful rural living, a diverse vibrant citizenry, an emerging business community, discounted property values and low tax rates in relationship to our neighboring counties. One of the brightest jewels that we have to offer existing and new residents is our school system. Maintaining this beautiful county requires leadership, an informed electorate and a commitment to invest in our future.
We invite you to join us by becoming involved. We encourage you to review our materials and to contribute to the dialogue with local, relevant and comprehensive facts. We ask you to attend the local School Board and Board of Supervisors meetings, write letters to the editor and speak with your neighbors. Most of all we are searching for long term solutions to meet our county's growing needs. Click here to join and be added to our mailing list. Please include your local district or, if you are from outside Fluvanna, your reason for joining.
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