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Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 5:00 p.m.
Oakton High School Lecture Hall, 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna, VA 22181
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 $82 Million: The dollar value of costs borne by FCPS employees caused by the failure of FCPS to keep its promise of a fair COLA, step increase, and VRS funding in the proposed budget. FEA is inviting Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova to a Town Hall meeting to discuss this and other issues of importance to you.
To speak at the meeting: Please email president@fairfaxea.org to be placed on the speakers list. Include your name, work location and focus of question. Members are encouraged to speak from personal experience and to focus on collective issues that impact our members and students.
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 School Board Votes on Snow Makeup Plan
After much deliberation at the March 4 FCPS School Board meeting, the Board voted to request a waiver from the state for one of four snow makeup days. FEA and Fairfax Association of Professional Educators (FAPE) worked together to advocate for a fourth option which would meet the state requirement without adding minutes to the school day. The Board listened and took action on March 4 as reported on the FCPS website.
“We heard from thousands of parents and employees who overwhelmingly wanted us to stay with our approved calendar, and the Board listened,” said Kathy Smith, Fairfax County School Board chairman. “Additionally, we have decided to seek a state waiver because of the record snowfall.”
The Real Terms of Education Funding Cuts
The proposed budget cuts to public education by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell will permanently and immeasurably damage the quality of education offered to the children of Fairfax County. Thus far known as a "world-class" system of education, Fairfax County Public Schools cannot possibly maintain this distinction while the leaders of the commonwealth offer a cuts-only approach to the education budget.
Read the entire article in the Fairfax Times.
Two Victories for Virginia Education
FEA-endorsed candidates Eileen Filler-Corn and Sandy Evans both won elections for their respective seats on March 2. Filler-Corn is now the Delegate for the 41st District and Evans will occupy a School Board seat for Mason District. Both candidates were interviewed by the association and benefited from a blitz of phone calls made from the FEA office on the Saturday before the election to voters in their districts. These calls from active members and “young at heart” FEA-R/FCRE members were very likely the difference maker. A hearty thanks and congratulations should go to those who operated the phone bank.
Continuing the Battle for a Sensible Snow Day Makeup Policy
On Friday, February 26, FEA President Michael Hairston joined with Association of Fairfax Professional Educators President Mary Kay Downes to produce a letter to the Fairfax County School Board regarding the School Board's snow day makeup options.
Read the letter.
FEA Press Conference Draws Attention
On Wednesday, February 24, FEA invited dozens of reporters, journalists and bloggers to attend a press conference denouncing the drastic education cuts put forward by all versions of the Commonwealth budget, and the candidates that support the cuts. The conference was well attended and included a camera crew sent by Fox 5. Response to the press conference is still mounting.
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