Protect WJC Teachers' Salary Increases: Time to Advocate

April 20, 2008

Dear School Supporters,

Now is the time for all good citizens to come to the aid of WJC Schools.

If you send ONLY ONE email this year to your county/city representatives regarding the schools, THIS IS THE ONE TO SEND!

WHY? Because a group of individuals is lobbying the JCC supervisors to leave WJC Schools $2.3 million short of its proposed operating budget.

They propose to do this largely on the backs of teachers and staff by reducing their 4.5% salary increase to the 3% increase proposed for county employees. This is the wrong approach when we need to continue to attract and retain the best teachers and teachers’ assistants for our students. The market for these employees is completely different from county employees.

Despite the difficult financial times, we should do our best to PROTECT OUR SCHOOLS. Fortunately, the state is picking up much of the new funds the schools need for operating funds this year, and the county has to provide only a 1.9% increase of its funds.

Moreover, no one can rightly say the schools aren’t being impacted by the economic downturn. The evidence: There is a $4.1 million shortfall in the proposed capital budget next year for existing school facilities and a $4.5 million shortfall for the new elementary and middle school--potentially impacting our ability to put instructional technology into these schools. Over the five year period, replacements of aging HVAC systems are delayed as are needed school refurbishments.

If you wish to see a comparison of what the schools requested in the capital budget and what is to be funded, click here.

This group has only a few members, and school supporters like you (with and without children in the schools) are in the thousands. But if you don’t make your voice heard, these other voices will have the influence, not you.

CLICK HERE to email the JCC Supervisors and Williamsburg City Council ASAP. The supervisors will be having their public hearing on Tuesday, April 22, and they need to hear from you now.

Tell them not to reduce the proposed teacher or staff's salary increases and not to reduce the schools’ operating budget beyond the county administrator’s recommendation, which already leaves a $300,000 shortfall. In addition, more funds are needed for the new elementary and middle school to make sure they will be quality schools with the full range of instructional technology.

Thank you for supporting our schools.

Mike Ludwick