School Board adopts joint resolution calling for education to be a priority

JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SCHOOL BOARDS REPRESENTING THE BEDFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS, THE BOTETOURT COUNTY SCHOOLS, THE CRAIG COUNTY SCHOOLS, THE FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS, THE ROANOKE CITY SCHOOLS, THE ROANOKE COUNTY SCHOOLS, AND THE SALEM CITY SCHOOLS

Whereas, the school divisions of Bedford County, Botetourt County, Craig County, Franklin County, Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Salem City (hereinafter “the seven public school systems from Southwest Virginia”) provide universal access to a high quality education for all students;

Whereas, the seven public school systems from Southwest Virginia recognize the need for our students to be highly educated in order to be competitive in a global economy;

Whereas, the seven public school systems from Southwest Virginia work tirelessly to continuously improve educational outcomes for all students and eliminate gaps in outcomes among various groups of students;

Whereas, the seven public school systems from Southwest Virginia agree that it is imperative that all public school students reach their highest level of achievement possible;

Whereas, the seven public school systems from Southwest Virginia agree that adequate funding of public schools has a direct impact on the quality of learning opportunities for all students;

Whereas, the seven public school systems from Southwest Virginia advocate for fiscally responsible and educationally responsive school systems for students, parents, and staff;

Whereas, the seven public school systems from Southwest Virginia, as public school systems in the Commonwealth of Virginia, are legally unable to generate revenue and are instead wholly dependent on revenue from federal, state, and local sources;

Whereas, the seven public school systems from Southwest Virginia have no reason to believe that K-12 funding for public education in FY 2012 will increase and likely will further decline;

Whereas, the seven public school systems from Southwest Virginia are fully cognizant of the economic situation facing the state and nation, but remain deeply concerned about both the short-term and long-term ramifications from underfunding public education;

Therefore, be it resolved that the seven public school systems from Southwest Virginia unanimously urge all state and federal legislators to take whatever steps are necessary to make education a first priority by considering bold and creative means to avoid or substantially offset any further decrease in the K-12 funding for public education so that our educators may continue to provide a quality public education for all students, present and future.

(Last updated xx/xx/09)