Support Schools Now 2005 Annual Report

Dear School Supporters,

What a year it has been for our schools and, with your help, Support Schools Now is proud to have been a part of these positive developments:

* Flyers distributed and an ad run in the Virginia Gazette helped mobilize public opinion which lead to the James City County Board of Supervisors increasing funding for WJC Schools operating budget by $1.1M above initially proposed funding levels.

* The 8th elementary school, originally slated by the BOS to open in fall 2008, was moved up to fall 2007.

* Support School Now encouraged the BOS (and encouraged others to encourage the BOS) to acquire land for the 8th elementary, by eminent domain if necessary, to ensure a fall 2007 opening. In December, the BOS used eminent domain to acquire the land.

* Support Schools Now sent questionnaires to all BOS and WJC School Board candidates to determine candidates who would be most supportive of our schools. Both BOS candidates endorsed by our interview committee won.

* Support Schools Now helped coordinate a joint statement to the WJC School Board delivered at its December 6 prebudget hearing endorsed by 68 of YOU on our email list and by the Education Advocacy Group, the Williamsburg Area League of Women Voters, Support Schools Now, the WJCC Education Association, and the James City-York-Williamsburg NAACP Education Committee. The statement was a strong unified message encouraging the School Board to develop a true budget of need regardless of county budget guidance.

As you can see, we have made a difference. Thank you for your support. To help increase our advocacy our email list now reaches over 560 addresses. That does not include all those reached through the forwarding of messages. THANK YOU to those who further spread the word!

While 2004 saw many successes, 2005 is fraught with challenges that require "eternal vigilance." Looming large is the operating and the capital budget for the 06-07 year. The county's preliminary guidance provides a 5% increase, but preliminary figures indicate this is nearly $1M short of a budget for our schools that would just maintain what we have now and accommodate growth, not to mention any other initiatives. More on that later.

For now, at the end of this year, it is time to look back and be thankful for what we have helped to accomplish.

Thank you for supporting our schools and best wishes for the new year ahead!

Mike Ludwick