Minutes 08/26/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Au.qust 26, 2003 Purpose and Need: · This resolution supports smaller class sizes in schools and colleges where teachers and faculty can provide students the individual attention they need to learn and graduate on time. · This resolution also requests the State to provide funding for sufficient numbers of well-qualified teachers and faculty to give every student the opportunity to graduate from high school and to have access to higher education and opportunities for training and skill development. · Additional State funding for education will allow for more competitive salaries to attract and retain well-qualified teachers and faculty to help students learn. · Additional State funding will provide for the building of modern, safe classrooms, laboratories, technology and equipment to provide the environment in which students learn best. · This resolution seeks to foster accountability and performance measurement at all levels for students, teachers, faculty, administrators, and others responsible for helping students learn. Financial Impact: · Increased State funding for public education would more accurately support the true costs of constructing, staffing, equipping, operating, and maintaining schools, in order to perform at the level needed to support the foundation for standards of quality and learning, and the costs of educating at-risk students. · Increased State funding for public education may decrease the burden of higher local real estate tax rates, where local governments have been trying to pay both their share and the State's share of education costs. · Increased State funding for public education could reduce the risk of qualified Virginia students being denied admission to institutions of higher education because the faculty, buildings, and equipment are simply not there to accommodate them. 1. Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky, 363 Middle Street, spoke in support of this item. Motion by Mr. Whitehurst, and seconded by Ms. Randall, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: "A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA SUPPORTING VIRGINIA'S STUDENTS BY URGING THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FULLY FUND THE ACTUAL COSTS OF THE STANDARDS OF QUALITY AND THE LEGISLATIVE GUIDELINES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING. WHEREAS, many students in Virginia's public schools are at risk of not learning what is required to earn a high school diploma, enroll in a college or university or enter the job market, and even the successful students who graduate are affected by schools struggling to provide the level of educational quality they need and deserve; and WHEREAS, teachers often find they do not have the tools or training necessary to teach the subjects mandated for achievement of state standards, and teachers' salaries and the uncertain state support of salaries do not provide the kind of incentives that attract and keep the most talented professionals, and WHEREAS, state funding for public education does not reflect the true cost of constructing, staffing, equipping, operating and maintaining schools that perform at the level needed to support the foundation for standards of quality and learning, and the costs of educating at-risk students create additional fiscal pressures on many school systems; and