SPECIAL ADVOCACY
UPDATE
November / 2 / 2017
              
Your #FCCPTAAdvocacyDay on December 4

Your FCCPTA is proud to host its first annual Advocacy Day event on Monday, December 4 from 6:00PM - 9:00PM at the Gatehouse Center in Falls Church for you, a member of the largest, volunteer advocacy organization in Fairfax County. The event is designed to provide the important opportunity for PTA members to meet, engage, and build relationships with their local elected officials on the Fairfax County School Board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Most of your local elected officials will be in attendance and want to hear your stories about your schools and students. You will have to opportunity to discuss various education issues, ask questions, and ensure that education remains a top priority for your elected officials. If you are not a member, no problem! Anyone can join their local neighborhood school PTA via its website and then JOIN US for this free and important event on December 4! More information will be posted on FCCPTA's social media platforms as details are finalized.
In This Issue
                        
Submit Your Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) Budget Ideas!

Here are some stats for you to consider...Did you know that FCPS is the 10th largest school system in the nation with more than 189,000 students? It also has one of the largest school bus fleet in the nation transporting more than 130,000 students on over 1,600  buses  each day. However, FCPS is the second largest source of local economic activity ($2.2 billion) for Fairfax County behind the federal government.  FCPS is the largest employer in the County and third largest employer in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with approximately 27,500 employees, including 24,600 full-time staff positions, more than 92 percent of which are school-based. Its $2.8 billion budget is primarily funded by Fairfax County (71.2 percent) with contributions from Virginia (22.9 percent), other sources (4.3 percent) and the federal government (1.6 percent). More than 85 percent of the budget goes toward instruction, and the average cost per student is $14,432.

With such a large school system that a diverse and growing student population, it is more important than ever to invest and ensure Fairfax County students are ready for the global economy upon high school graduation. But, it is also important to invest wisely while keeping class sizes low, paying teachers competitively, and maintaining high-quality resources in the classroom.

What programs or benefits at FCPS do you think should be enhanced, preserved, or introduced? How can FCPS reduce costs, create efficiencies, or raise revenues? Make your voice heard! Please share your budget ideas with FCCPTA officers by filling out this easy-to-use form. Please submit as many ideas as you want. Your suggestions are appreciated!
VOTE Tuesday, November 7!

If you didn't know, the Commonwealth of Virginia has an important election on Tuesday, November 7 to elect all statewide offices, including governor, and House of Delegate seats. Election information can be found at the Fairfax County Office of Elections. Need further information about what is on your ballot? Here is your voter guide by the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area. Please GET OUT TO VOTE on Tuesday! EVERY VOTE COUNTS!