Notes from 2-11-10 school board meeting - budget & 4x4 block schedules

At the Albemarle County School Board meeting tonight, I took my notes in Twitter.  I was even able to share some graphs from a PowerPoint presentation with a person following the meeting online.  Here is a summary of the tweets which highlight a number of important announcements and some key points about our current budget discussions (more state funding reductions and discussion of switching to 4x4 block schedule in our high schools).

Brian Wheeler

Brian's tweets from the February 11, 2010 Albemarle Co. School Board Meeting:

Follow tweets from Albemarle Co Public Schools' Dir of Transportation @JoshDavisTPort

RT @JoshDavisTPort: Albemarle County Public Schools will be closed on Friday February 12.

In budget work session-Albemarle Co. Public Schools could see state funding shortfall of $5.2 to $9 million

Superintendent Moran's budget already has ~$5.2 million in reductions - new state shortfalls would add to challenges

Add up all the potential budget reductions in Moran's budget--doesn't cover worst case scenario with state funding picture

SCHOOL BUDGET: Severe financial challenge makes 4x4 block / 8 period day in high schools attractive option for Albemarle Co.

#acpsbudget 4x4 block / 8 period day proposal in high schools eliminates 9.24 Albemarle Co. HS teaching positions

jwill101 @bawheeler#acpsbudget 4x4 pros v. cons for student learning?

@jwill101 I am going to try and attach an image showing one of the presentation slides - hope it helps http://tweetphoto.com/11097436

#acpsbudget 100% of surveyed Albemarle Co. principals have positive view of 4x4 block - see pie chart http://tweetphoto.com/11098090

Albemarle Co School Board approves changing Mon Feb 15th from teacher workday to regular school day for students

Albemarle Co School Board ALSO approves changing Fri April 2 (before Spring Break) from teacher workday to regular school day for students

Comments

[Tandy Scott]

In rereading my comment, I realize that I misspoke (I'm highly distracted by very loud children being home for the gazillionth day in a row). It is misleading for me to say "been a part of." "Been personally affected by" is more accurate. I have not been an educator for many years. I am a profoundly interested and knowledgeable parent.

Sorry about that.