Connections

At yesterday's School Board meeting, I had the opportunity to present the division's draft funding request to our Board members.

This year, many divisions across the Commonwealth are facing a funding gap as a result of a change to the Local Composite Index (LCI), which is a calculation by the state that determines how much money each locality is responsible for providing to fund their schools. Due to this adjustment, several divisions throughout Virginia are now responsible for a bigger chunk of their funding, including Albemarle County.

In light of these changes, our funding request for FY 2025 looks a little different from those in years past. Rather than putting forth new initiatives for the division, we are prioritizing current programs within our schools in order to stay the course through a financial headwind. This strategy will allow us to avoid a backslide on the gains we have made in the last several years.

Whenever I work on a budget for this division, I see more than just numbers. I see the individual people who make our schools and departments thrive, and it is around these people that our funding request centers. Although we are facing a significant challenge this year, I remain optimistic for ACPS. We are committed to knowing each student and helping them succeed, and our dedication to our mission will not waiver.

If you'd like to learn more about our budget process for FY 25, please visit our Budget Development webpage, or watch the recording of the February 22 School Board Meeting.

Sincerely,

Dr. Matthew S. Haas

Superintendent

A lot has happened this month! Here's what we think is important to know:

ACPS is launching a new initiative called Champion-A-School, which is designed to enhance the exchange of resources and expertise between schools and the community. School Champions share their time, talent, and treasure through various ways including serving as school volunteers, tutors and mentors, stocking snack closets, sponsoring teacher appreciation projects, and contributing to family engagement events. Join us for a Community Breakfast on March 28th to learn more!

If your business or organization is interested in becoming a school champion, please reach out to Tessa Ashoff at afe@k12albemarle.org.

During community meetings and various other gatherings, Superintendent Dr. Haas collects suggestions and questions through an anonymous Suggestion Box. Each week, he chooses one question to answer or suggestion to address. In each edition of Connections going forward, we will highlight one of those questions and link to the other questions on our website.

What excites you the most about budget season, and what worries you?

When I work with the budget, I see more than just numbers; I see the individual people who make our schools and departments thrive. My purpose here is to support the remarkable people working tirelessly to positively impact students' learning and shape their present and future lives. Our school division budget predominantly consists of over 85% dedicated staff across various roles, which is a source of great excitement for me.

This year, however, I harbor concerns, particularly as Albemarle County Public Schools faces a potentially significant financial setback from the state in the upcoming school year. This is a consequence of the rebenchmarking of Albemarle's share of state funding determined by Virginia's Local Composite Index (LCI) for Public School Funding.

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Did you know the U.S. Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) has recently launched an updated version of the English Learner (EL) Family Toolkit, along with a free EL Family Toolkit app? Tailored for parents, caregivers, families, and guardians, these free resources from OELA will keep you seamlessly connected to the latest tips and practical resources.

The toolkit provides valuable insights about U.S. schools, your rights, enrollment policies, and available programs and extracurricular activities for your child. The app is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic for both Android and Apple devices. To download the app, simply search for “EL Family Toolkit” in your app store.

Albemarle County Public Schools is accepting preschool applications for the 2024-25 school year. To learn if your child is eligible for these programs and how to apply, visit our Preschool Application Information webapge.

Email: superintendentoffice@k12albemarle.org
Website: k12albemarle.org
Location: 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA, USA
Phone: (434) 296-5820
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/K12Albemarle
Twitter: @k12albemarle