County
2008 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program
GYPSY_MOTH_SPRAY-2008 [pdf 157 KB]
This purpose of this article is to provide information and increase awareness of Maryland's Gypsy Moth Supression Program and its possible impact on our membership and the community. This document is for information only, no opinions have been expressed or implied in this document.
Board of Education Capital Budget
September 06, 2007
Dear AHS Families,
The HCPSS Capital Budget FY2009 was presented to the public yesterday. I want to share with you information about the budget, and the budget process, focusing on Atholton HS.
The June 2007 assessment study of the facilities at the four oldest high schools in Howard County included data that AHS has an immediate need for roof repairs. The study also noted that our heating and air conditioning system and other mechanical systems were in need of replacement soon. The data from this study were included by Dr. Cousin, Superintendent of Howard County Schools, in preparing the capital budget proposal presented last night.
Over the summer, the AHS PTSA presented testimony and sent a letter to the Board of Education (BOE) requesting that they include a new roof and HVAC system at AHS in the capital budget.
The good news is that the FY2009 Capital Budget includes replacing the roof at Atholton. In addition, a major renovation of the entire school, including major mechanical systems such as heating and air conditioning, has been included in the Long-Range plan beginning in FY12!
So what is the next step?
The best thing we can do is to work together with a unified and coordinated effort to communicate our message. The AHS PTSA will be sending a letter thanking Dr. Cousin and the BOE for including Atholton’s needs in the proposed budget.
The budget process is not complete, however. On 9/20 there is a public hearing at 7:30pm for comment on the proposed budget. You may notice that this coincides with our Back to School Night. After our general meeting and group session in the AHS Auditorium, I will go to the BOE meeting to deliver testimony on behalf of the AHS PTSA. My testimony will include thanking everyone for recognizing our needs and to include them in the final version of the budget.
The BOE will then hold a work session on 9/21 at 9:00am. Another work session and a vote on a final version of the Capital Budget FY09 will occur on 10/1 at 7:30pm. We feel that our efforts to communicate our needs have been effective and that our funding request will remain intact. Our advocacy will then move beyond the Board of Education.
Funding for the budget comes from both the state and the county governments (the school system does not have any direct income source). On 10/5 the budget request will be submitted to the state and to the County Executive. The budget will be voted upon by the County Council in May, setting local funding.
There is a serious shortfall expected in available funding for this year. We will soon need to work together to encourage our state and local governments to find a dedicated funding source for our schools. Learning more about the budget will help you understand this. The full budget is available under Board Docs at http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/hcpssmd/Board.nsf/Public?OpenFrameSet . Open the Presentation under the 9/6/07 meeting. The introduction beginning on page 4 provides an excellent explanation and I encourage you to read it.
I will be sharing more information on the budget process and our involvement soon. If you have any questions or would like to become more involved in working together in our unified effort, please contact me at cdlasser@gmail.com .
Thank you for your support of Atholton HS and all of our students!
Caryn D. Lasser
AHS PTSA President