[5/20/10]

To All Fellow Hornet Parents, Coaches, Athletes, & Sports Booster Members:

WE ONLY HAVE A FEW MORE HOURS TO FIGHT THIS BATTLE!!!

We have been fighting for the restoration of athletic programs for several months now and have entered the final stretch.  An Amendment has been proposed by School Board Member, Ms. Sandy Evans, which would eliminate the AP/IB test fees and the ATHLETIC TAX.  We need 7 votes TONIGHT from the School Board to pass this amendment.  You can help RIGHT NOW by emailing and/or calling School Board Members and letting them know you support Sandy Evans amendments to eliminate AP/IB test fees and athletic fees. 

Specific Herndon High School Board Members info:

Contact information for Jane Strauss:  jane.strauss@fcps.edu  571-423-1087

Contact information for Stu Gibson:  stuart.gibson@fcps.edu    571-423-1082

The other School Board Members should be contacted as well, there info can be found below.  Please take the time to THANK Ms. Sandy Evans for showing the courage to support our student athlete's.

And remember, "It ain’t over 'til the School Board Votes!"

Thank you,

Pete

Summary of some past updates:

Latest Word on the School Budget, namely, OUR ATHLETIC BUDGET...

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BOS) will be meeting April 20th to mark-up the "final" Budget, which includes the School Budget.  Last month, a vote was held by the BOS that set the "maximum advertised tax rate" at $1.12/hundred (real estate assessed value).  It is my understanding, the BOS will be determining the "final proposed" budget package, including the School Budget, and the tax rate at this meeting.  A final vote will then occur at the BOS April 27th meeting.  Continue to reach out and communicate to the BOS's and let them know we want to maintain OUR ATHLETIC PROGRAMS, thus the $1.12 tax rate is OK!  

After the BOS conducts its final vote on April 27th, the School Board will begin conducting "budget work sessions" to determine what should and should not be included in the final school budget.  It is the School Board who has the ability to re-instate the Winter Cheer and Dance Team programs.  It is also the School Board who can eliminate the proposed ATHLETIC TAX - $100 per player per season!   This might be our last chance to address the School Board's attempt to apply a TAX on our Athletes!  Please keep in mind, just because an athletc program has been "restored", it doesn't mean the School Board can't place it back on the list of programs to be eliminated.

Regards,

Pete

A CALL to ACT!!!   SHOW YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR STUDENT-ATHLETES!!

I’m sure most of you have heard me discuss details regarding what Fairfax County funds to assist our student-athletics, namely, the coaches’ stipends, game officials, and transportation to/from games. Everything else is paid by funds raised by the Sports Boosters and through gate receipts - equipment, helmets, uniforms, field maintenance, etc. Well, the funds currently provided by the County are now in jeopardy!! 

• This is not the Fairfax County we know and love.  This is no way to treat our children.  This is not the time to eliminate teams or make it harder to participate.
• Studies continue to show that children are becoming obese at an alarming rate.  Now is not the time to reduce the number of student-athletes.
• High School education experts agree - extracurricular activities help boost a student's GPA.  Now is not the time to impose an athletic tax.
• Experts in gang related activities agree - after school sports reduce gang membership.  Now is not the time to cut school sports.
• Students on the reduced lunch program may have the $100 fee waived, but it will still greatly reduce the number of student-athletes on our teams, which in turn hurts our competitiveness. Now is not the time to impose an athletic tax.