School Board

Thousands Rally on Facebook to Save Planetarium

By ARLnow.com

The David M. Brown Planetarium on North Quincy Street has hosted countless school children and at least one wedding over its 40 years.

Since Arlington Public Schools announced its plan to permanently close the planetarium one month ago, the family of the late Columbia astronaut David Brown, for whom the planetarium is now named, has spoken out against the closure.

And now a “Save the Arlington VA Planetarium” Facebook page has amassed nearly 2,500 fans.

Planetarium fans are expected to make their voices heard at a school board meeting scheduled for 7:30 tonight. It’s being held at the board room of the Arlington Education Center at 1426 North Quincy Street.

Arlington Schools Release Snow Make-Up Schedule

By ARLnow.com

After missing a week of classes due to Snowmageddon and Snoverkill, Arlington public school students will have to make up for it by giving up a couple of previously-scheduled off-days and early release days.

“Of course I was hoping school would extend into August so I could save on summer camp fees,” Robert Cannon said on his bArlington blog.

More from Arlington Public Schools.

DEVELOPING: Arlington School Budget Cuts Revealed

By ARLnow.com

At tonight’s school board meeting, Arlington County Schools superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy will reveal significant cuts in the school system’s proposed fiscal year 2011 budget. Here are some of the notable items in Dr. Murphy’s proposed budget:

  • APS facing $12.8 million budget shortfall (reflects county manager’s tax proposal, but does not take into account an expected decrease in funding from the state)
  • School enrollment is projected to exceed 21,000 for the next school year
  • APS will eliminate at least 57 full-time equivalent school-based positions
  • APS will eliminate at least 36 full-time equivalent support positions
  • There will likely be no teacher layoffs, as the school scales back new hires and shifts affected teachers to vacant positions
  • APS expects 15-20 support staff layoffs
  • The Arlington planetarium will be closed
  • Class sizes will increase by one pupil for grades K-3 and 6-12
  • Staff salaries will be frozen at the current year’s levels
  • Budget does not include funding for new initiatives or program expansions
  • $0.5 million in new school fees will be imposed, including: increased pool fees, building rental fees, drivers education fees, summer program fees, cafeteria meal prices and Montessori tuition
  • Fewer summer school sites and larger summer school class sizes

School Board Meeting Tonight

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Public Schools superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy is currently briefing the media in advance of tonight’s special school board meeting, where he will make a presentation on the state of the school system’s budget.

The meeting will take place at 7:30 in the board room of the Arlington Education Center.