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OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT <br />P.O. BOX 5548 <br /> MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA 24115 <br /> (540) 632-6313 <br /> October 28, 200') <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />Martinsville City School Board <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />Ira P,. Trollinger, Superintendent <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Legislative Agenda for 2003 <br /> <br /> The following state legislative items are of key importance to the Martinsville <br />City Schools for the 2003 calendar year. I would recommend that the Board members support <br />each of the key issues listed below. <br /> <br />1. Support for the Continuation of the State School Construction Funds. The State Legislature <br />cut the construction funds by 50% for the 2002-2003 school year. We lost approximately <br />$140,000 in state funds that was helping to pay for the renovations at Albert Harris School. We <br />need for these funds to be restored or increased even if this means an increase in the revenue <br />stream must be proposed. Vkginia is one of a handful of states that does not support school <br />construction at a very high level. <br /> <br />2. Encourage Support for Vir,m.'nia CARES and JLARC (Joint Legislative Audit and Review <br />Commission) Recommendations. The Legislature's own audit and review commission found <br />that the state was under funding public K-12 education by $800,000,000. A summary sheet, of <br />the key areas for both Virginia CARES and JLARC is attached. We need for the state to increase <br />their funding of the Standards of Quality and provide a higher percentage. <br /> <br />3. Continue to Support the Idea that the SOLs Should Be Constantly Reviewed and Improved. <br />The educational cormuunity supports,a fair and equitable program of accountability. This <br />program needs to be constantly monitored and revised in order to be fair to all school divisions. <br />The State Board has established an Accountability Advisory Committee and has adopted many <br />of their proposals. We should encourage our legislators to support continuous scrutiny and <br />revision of the accountability program. <br /> <br /> Please note the attached letter requesting the legislators meet November 26, 2002, <br />at 7:30 P. M. in the Council Chambers xvith the Martinsville City Council. Earl Reynolds has <br />requested that the city schools be a part of this meeting. <br /> <br />IRT/lwp <br /> <br />Enclosures 2 <br /> <br /> <br />