Dear Friends and Supporters of Public Education in Annapolis—
1. SUMMARY. We’re writing to ask if you could speak at one of two public hearings next week in support of renovating our aging Annapolis public schools or write your councilmen (info in #6):
-Tuesday 11 January, Old Mill High School, 7 pm
-Thursday 13 January, Parham Board of Education Building, Riva Road Annapolis
Those wishing to testify can sign up beginning at 6:00 p.m. Testimony is limited to three minutes per person. Specifically, we recommend that you ask for “Full Funding of the School Board’s Recommended FY 2012 Capital Budget,” the specifics of which are included below.
2. BACKGROUND. As you might know, Annapolis’ cluster of public schools includes a number of aging buildings. Several years ago an independent consulting firm conducted a county-wide survey of all of the county school system’s schools and buildings, with an eye toward prioritizing the county’s capital expenditures over the next 10 years. (A full copy of this “MGT Study” can be found at: http://www.aacps.org/html/
3A. ANNAPOLIS CLUSTER PROJECTS THAT NEED LOBBYING ASSISTANCE. The FY 12 capital budget that the Board of Education sent to the County Executive included the following Annapolis cluster projects (for a summary of the proposed budget , see: http://www.aacps.org/html/
-Germantown Elementary School Replacement (MGT Priority 1)
-Phoenix Annapolis Modernization (MGT Priority 1)
-Annapolis Elementary School Revitalization ($0 in FY12 due to requirements for permitting in historic district, but funding expected in coming years) (MGT Priority 1)
These capital projects have either already been started, or enjoy wide support; it is expected that they will get funded this year.
3B. ANNAPOLIS CLUSTER PROJECTS IN DIRE NEED OF SUPPORT, OR THEY PROBABLY WON’T GET FUNDED. The Board of Education’s FY 12 capital budget also includes the following three projects, which lower on this year’s budget than the other three:
-Mills-Parole Elementary School – Feasibility Study/Design ($2,194,000 in FY2012, the first step in the 3-4 year process of renovating a school – MGT Study Priority #1)
-Rolling Knolls Elementary School - Feasibility Study/Design ($2,012,000 in FY2012, the first step in the 3-4 year process of renovating a school – MGT Study Priority #2).
-West Annapolis Elementary School – Feasibility Study/Design ($1,675,000 in FY 2012, the first step in the 3-4 year process of renovating a school – MGT Study Priority #1).
As we know, in these lean budget years there is not enough money in the county budget to fund all of the Board of Education’s requests. These three items above fall low enough on the School Board’s priorities that they may not receive funding from the County Executive or County Council without substantial community support.
4. POSSIBLE TALKING POINTS. In your testimony or communication with our elected leaders, here are some points that you might choose to emphasize:
-For a number of different reasons, the Annapolis cluster in the past has not received its share of capital improvements. In a county that has historically diverted funds away from school renovations to pay for current expenses, the Annapolis cluster of schools bears a disproportionate burden.
-The Annapolis cluster of schools has a high percentage of poverty students: 2/3 of its 9 elementary schools received Title I Poverty funding. It is unfair that the students with the greatest need do not enjoy the same advantage of modern physical facilities that other students in wealthier parts of the county do.
-One of the unfortunate features of schools in high poverty areas is that their parents – who often work 2 or 3 jobs – don’t have time to lobby for their schools. The end result is that they often don’t get funded commensurate with their needs. Let’s correct this imbalance.
-It’s important to ensure that the County continues the renovation of schools IN THE PRIORITY THAT THE MGT STUDY RECOMMENDS. This list, generated by an independent consulting firm from the West Coast, removes politics from the funding process, to the greatest degree possible.
5. WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THE OTHER CLUSTER SCHOOLS THAT ALSO NEED RENOVATION? Here’s a list of the other schools in the Annapolis cluster that the MGT study concluded need renovation or replacement, along with the MGT Study priority:
Hillsmere Elementary (2)
Bates Middle (2)
Annapolis Middle (2)
Annapolis High (3)
Tyler Heights Elementary (3)
J. Albert Adams Academy (3)
The best way to lobby for renovation for these schools is to CLEAR THE EXISTING BACKLOG OF HIGHER-PRIORITY CAPITAL PROJECTS.
6. WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO OTHER THAN TESTIFYING? The biggest help is to widely disseminate this message, and try to testify in person in support of the Board of Education’s Capital Budget. Additionally, hard copy letters or faxes to our County Executive and County Council Members would help (these are considered of more value than emails or phone calls).
County Executive John Leopold
44 Calvert Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21404
Voice: (410) 222-1821
Voice: (410) 222-1821
Fax: (410) 222-1155
Email: jleopold@aacounty.org
County Council Members
P.O. Box 2700
44 Calvert Street
Annapolis MD 21404
County Council Voice: (410) 222-1401
Fax: 410-222-1755
(One copy needed for all county council members - office will duplicate and distribute as required.)County Councilman Chris Trumbauer (District 6 - Annapolis area)
7. MANY THANKS + INVITE TO NEXT ANNAPOLIS EDUCATION COMMISSION. We meet on the first Monday of each month, 5:30 - 7pm, in Annapolis City Council chambers, 160 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis MD 21401. We appreciate your support of the county public schools within Annapolis. Working together we can raise the bar of public education in our capital city.
Very best wishes,
Jeff Macris
Annapolis Education Commission
Proud parent of 5 present/future public school students
