PTA Get Out the Vote Letter
We are posting this e-mail from the PTA for our membership, FYI:
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Cuts Already Made to Guilford Public Schools' Budget
Budget Referendum on Tuesday 4/20
Each YES Vote is Critical
Dear Supporters of Education,
The Guilford Public Schools and Town budgets will be voted on during a referendum on Tuesday, April 20th. The total proposed budget increase is 3.94%, of which 2.8% is for the schools, 3.23% is for the town and the remaining increase covers revenue shortfalls (i.e. declines in permit fees, conveyance taxes and interest income, etc.). Regardless, the BOE and Town budgets are always combined on the referendum so you will be asked to vote on the total increase of 3.94%.
The Guilford PTA has followed this budget season with great interest. We are convinced that the school district has already taken significant measures to keep the budget at the 2.8% increase level. We are concerned that if this budget does not pass, more drastic measures that will impact learning will be required. We are therefore asking you to SUPPORT THE 2010-2011 BUDGET for the following primary reasons:
* Without cutting positions, salaries would have seen a 5.8% increase, however 16 positions are being cut including 7 para-professionals, 6.1 certified teachers, 1 secretary and 2 custodians. 1 administrative positions has been changed to teaching. These changes allow for the addition of 4 instructional coaches at our elementary schools to provide daily professional training and feedback with a focus on literacy. With all of these changes, salaries and benefits are at a combined 3.17% increase. We are concerned that if the budget fails, additional positions may be cut.
* The GPS is anticipating a $333k reduction from the State Education Cost Sharing fund
* 23% reduction in supplies and materials, which includes heat, electricity, textbooks and teaching supplies.
We also know that in the past the GPS has not addressed maintenance items in a timely fashion, thereby creating larger problems down the road. We encourage you to please vote YES on the maintenance bond initiatives on the ballot:
* Guilford Lakes Roof - the roof is leaking and needs replacement - Bond Measure is $1.560,000.
* Failed Oil Tank at Melissa Jones School and Antiquated Fire Alarm System needs Life Safety Upgrade at Baldwin Middle School - both are deferred maintenance items that need to be addressed - Combined Bond Measure is $760,000.
Most people would agree that the Guilford Public Schools are significantly better today than they were four years ago. We are grateful to the Board of Education and School Administration for raising the academic standards in our schools. We encourage them to continue to do so, and encourage you to support these strides by voting YES on April 20th.
Sincerely,
Guilford PTA "Get Out and Vote" Committee
PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD
1. Speak with 10 friends about the budget and make sure they vote.
2. Print this email and place in your neighbors' mailboxes.
3. Forward this email to 20 Guilford residents and ask them to do the same.
For More Information:
School Budget Proposal (click on Superintendent's Letter for Overview of Cuts and Additions)
PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO OTHER
SUPPORTERS OF THE
GUILFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS(click button below)