My name is Robbie Dalton, and I live in the Shawnee District, and I support fully funding our schools in Scenario A
We speak of transparency often, and the school board has been clear as to what would be cut with Scenario C:
1 CTE Teachers/Liasons at each high school - This is a critical area for students to take a path other than college and should be fully supported by our community.
2. New pay scale for Special Education Teachers - Our special education teachers work with some of our most vulnerable students, and when these positions are understaffed (as they often are), they are not able to provide the attention to students who need it most. An increase in pay would incentivize more people to get into this much needed field.
3. Increase for instructional assistants with a degree - This position is the most underpaid position in Frederick County. They make $17,000 per year, or $12.50/hour. For comparison, Frederick county has a position posted for an ANIMAL CARETAKER that pays $12.50/hour. We are paying our instructional assistants the same as what we pay an animal caretaker. These employees who have college degrees deserve every dollar of this proposed increase.
You've said in the past that you do not make decisions on what will be cut. It's laid out in front of you as clear as can be... this is what you will cut and take away from our students and community if you vote Scenario C. Fully fund our schools and vote scenario A.
We are Crystal & Reco Ford from the Red Bud District and we own an operate a STL also in the Red Bud District. We have owned the home for 22 years, lived in it, and started our family there. We once had it as a long term rental and it really didn't go well with damage being done to our home. Over 3 years ago we decided to make it a short term rental and the experience has been wonderful. Our neighbors next door love it and prefer it as a short term as well. We have hosted numerous families visiting loved one's, attending graduations, weddings, and most recently the last 2 yrs‐ several essential workers from healthcare workers to electricians. It's been a pleasure having them and giving them the comfort of a home while they are here. Our guests seem to love it and our reviews show it. Since there isn't an ordinance in place, we have a lodging account and are paying the monthly tax due every month. We just wanted to say that we appreciate you taking the time to allow STL because they are very important to the community by giving renters an option other than a hotel room and giving families more affordable options so that they may spend their money on things Fred County/Winchester has to offer. We also operate a home in the city of Winchester in MR district and was granted a permit voted 8-0 but the process was grueling with meetings and a large expense to advertise for a conditional use permit. The proposal outlined by the zoning department seems very reasonable and will bring more revenue to Frederick county. It has been a very easy process to go online and pay the tax each month. Thank you for your time on this.
My name is Stephanie Mangino, and I’m a Shawnee District resident.
I am writing to support the Schools’ Operating Fund Budget Scenario A, which funds the school system’s budget request in full. Our schools need to draw in more teachers, and this budget request, which would fund a pay increase for special education educators, is desperately needed. Such jobs are difficult to fill, and are made even more so if compensation for this work is better in surrounding school systems. If the BOS chooses Scenario C, it leaves the School Board with the choice of either funding much-needed raises for all of its employees, or removing the base pay increases for special education - neither is a good option, particularly for students who need the highest levels of support.
The fact is that the vast majority of the county’s children under the age of 18 (I base this on U.S. census and school enrollment information) are served by the Frederick County Public Schools. Frederick County’s children deserve the best educational experience we can provide, and that means compensating and supporting educators, so that talented educators stay in our system. Our educators are exhausted. From everything I can see from a parental perspective, being an educator is incredibly rewarding, but also intellectually and emotionally taxing. This isn’t simple work, in any way. Those who serve our kids through the FCPS need to know the community understands this, and that, as a community, we’ve “got their backs,” so to speak.
The money to fund the schools’ full request, as well as the county’s other budget needs, is available. And please remember, healthy schools = healthy communities. When you invest in education today, you’re also planning for a better future (just like when you put money aside for improved roads, etc.) Maybe that child educated in Frederick County today will design tomorrow’s roads!
Please choose Scenario A. Honestly, it’s the least the BOS can do. Thank you.
My name is Joel Cosner, and I reside in the Opequon District.
I am writing today in support of Scenario A, Full Funding for the Frederick County Public Schools requested budget from the elected school board members. When I pay taxes in this county, I expect my tax dollars to be put to use right away for needs that the county has right now. Of course, I do also understand the need to be good stewards of money, planning ahead, and being prudent in the approach with our county finances.
However, when our county has a historically large reserve fund (or “slush fund” as some call it), I expect that our public services will be fully funded to the extent that is economically sound. There was even an economically trained expert that spoke in favor of full FCPS funding at the April 13th meeting - what more evidence do some of you on the Board of Supervisors need to see and/or hear to know that this is a proper use of taxpayer money? It is also well documented that for each dollar that is invested in local educational spending, we multiply the amount of economic wealth to the local area. There is no reason to not fully fund the requested budget for FCPS.
I also see that there is discussion on this very meeting to possibly divert public tax dollars to private educational sources instead. Even as a public school teacher, I can understand that there are alternatives to public school that may work better for individual situations. Perhaps it would not be so difficult for me to stomach this discussion if it weren’t simultaneously occurring at the same time as some of your continued efforts to do what has the perception of “reigning in the school system.” I had a very wise administrator once tell me that “Sometimes, perception is reality,” and the perception is that some of you do not support our local public schools. Please change this by fully funding the FCPS requested budget, Scenario A, Full Funding. Thank you very much for your time and attention to this comment.
To Whom it may concern: Opequon District
Board of Supervisors Meeting April 27th, 2022
My name is Denise Reed My husband and I own a home at 1000 Salem Church Rd Stephens City Va. Since 2003 Our home is parallel to the very narrow private shared driveway Named Wayne’s Lane of which we own a portion of the easement.
There are many areas of concerns about a short term lodging using this private shared Driveway to access
1. On numerous occasions total Strangers have pulled into my house to find Wayne’s Lane
2. There is a tremendous amount of dust that comes with the use of this unpaved lane and I have never been able to open my windows on the back side of my house or hang laundry out to dry
3. There is a continual issue of vehicles pulling into my yard to allow another vehicle to pass, not knowing the rule is to back up to the corner in order to let a person pass. This has caused tremendous wear and tear in my property.
4. I have in the past been robbed and this private drive was used for that purpose to get to the back side of my property in order to not be noticed.
5. The maintenance of this lane is the responsibility of the Homeowners that use the driveway. Additional vehicles on this private driveway will cause additional maintenance and expenses.
6. My husband travels for work and I am alone and this makes me feel uncomfortable to have strangers that I do not know and can’t vet accessing this driveway all hours of the day and night.
7. Short term lodging especially in the summer months will only incur a much bigger problem for the homeowners.
In conclusion I support the Planning Commission’s recommendation in requiring the Owners / Operators of short term lodging’s to obtain written consent of use of shared driveways from sharing parties
I am once again writing to express support for Scenario A of the School Operations Budget. I know, as well as you all do, that this scenario is by far the most supported by your constituents. As a new hire of Frederick County Public Schools, I should not have to be concerned about my job offer being rescinded in the middle of one of the worst, if not the worst, teacher shortage this nation has seen. Our schools, teachers, and students need this full funding. We deserve a raise AND additional staff to ease our ratios- the past three years have been hard enough on us; we do not deserve to have to make this choice. If you refuse to acknowledge that, we as a county and FCPS as one of its the largest employers will have no choice but to refuse to acknowledge you as a choice in your respective reelections.
After watching the April 13th meeting via livestream, I was incredibly disappointed to hear the ways members of the board have been holding our schools, our children, hostage in the name of political games. Children our the future, not your game pieces. It is so disheartening to see a group of elected officials so clearly disregard the wants of their constituents while supporting a future that hurts them at the same time. We cannot and will not stand for this clear attempt to weaken the school system so that your attacks hit harder come next budget season. We especially will not stand for the attempt to sweep this budget matter under the rug by delaying the vote by two weeks. We are only getting louder.
As stated by several others, now is the time to invest in your future as a county. We are in a peak financial position and the county, and therefore the tax base, is only growing now. Make the wise choice. Listen to your constituents. To quote one of your own, "It's the right thing to do."
I support passing the school budget as proposed by Dr. Sovine and the School Board. It is critical that FULL FUNDING be given to support the work of the teachers, to uphold the quality of the schools, to keep class sizes small, and to maintain the quality of a full menu of offerings, including STEM, AP, honors, and the arts.
I am very disappointed in the Board of Supervisors and the irresponsible way you have played politics, using our children as the pawns. What you are doing will have a ripple effect in terms of economic development and could have a negative impact on the quality of life in Frederick County for decades to come. It's time to stop making threats and start finding ways to cooperate and work together like the professionals you are supposed to be. You do not represent special interest groups. You represent the interests of the entire county, and that includes children, teachers, families, and the local businesses who rely on the schools to attract employees.
My name is Robbie Dalton, and I live in the Shawnee District, and I support fully funding our schools in Scenario A
We speak of transparency often, and the school board has been clear as to what would be cut with Scenario C:
1 CTE Teachers/Liasons at each high school - This is a critical area for students to take a path other than college and should be fully supported by our community.
2. New pay scale for Special Education Teachers - Our special education teachers work with some of our most vulnerable students, and when these positions are understaffed (as they often are), they are not able to provide the attention to students who need it most. An increase in pay would incentivize more people to get into this much needed field.
3. Increase for instructional assistants with a degree - This position is the most underpaid position in Frederick County. They make $17,000 per year, or $12.50/hour. For comparison, Frederick county has a position posted for an ANIMAL CARETAKER that pays $12.50/hour. We are paying our instructional assistants the same as what we pay an animal caretaker. These employees who have college degrees deserve every dollar of this proposed increase.
You've said in the past that you do not make decisions on what will be cut. It's laid out in front of you as clear as can be... this is what you will cut and take away from our students and community if you vote Scenario C. Fully fund our schools and vote scenario A.
Agenda item 13C
Hello Board of Supervisors
We are Crystal & Reco Ford from the Red Bud District and we own an operate a STL also in the Red Bud District. We have owned the home for 22 years, lived in it, and started our family there. We once had it as a long term rental and it really didn't go well with damage being done to our home. Over 3 years ago we decided to make it a short term rental and the experience has been wonderful. Our neighbors next door love it and prefer it as a short term as well. We have hosted numerous families visiting loved one's, attending graduations, weddings, and most recently the last 2 yrs‐ several essential workers from healthcare workers to electricians. It's been a pleasure having them and giving them the comfort of a home while they are here. Our guests seem to love it and our reviews show it. Since there isn't an ordinance in place, we have a lodging account and are paying the monthly tax due every month. We just wanted to say that we appreciate you taking the time to allow STL because they are very important to the community by giving renters an option other than a hotel room and giving families more affordable options so that they may spend their money on things Fred County/Winchester has to offer. We also operate a home in the city of Winchester in MR district and was granted a permit voted 8-0 but the process was grueling with meetings and a large expense to advertise for a conditional use permit. The proposal outlined by the zoning department seems very reasonable and will bring more revenue to Frederick county. It has been a very easy process to go online and pay the tax each month. Thank you for your time on this.
My name is Stephanie Mangino, and I’m a Shawnee District resident.
I am writing to support the Schools’ Operating Fund Budget Scenario A, which funds the school system’s budget request in full. Our schools need to draw in more teachers, and this budget request, which would fund a pay increase for special education educators, is desperately needed. Such jobs are difficult to fill, and are made even more so if compensation for this work is better in surrounding school systems. If the BOS chooses Scenario C, it leaves the School Board with the choice of either funding much-needed raises for all of its employees, or removing the base pay increases for special education - neither is a good option, particularly for students who need the highest levels of support.
The fact is that the vast majority of the county’s children under the age of 18 (I base this on U.S. census and school enrollment information) are served by the Frederick County Public Schools. Frederick County’s children deserve the best educational experience we can provide, and that means compensating and supporting educators, so that talented educators stay in our system. Our educators are exhausted. From everything I can see from a parental perspective, being an educator is incredibly rewarding, but also intellectually and emotionally taxing. This isn’t simple work, in any way. Those who serve our kids through the FCPS need to know the community understands this, and that, as a community, we’ve “got their backs,” so to speak.
The money to fund the schools’ full request, as well as the county’s other budget needs, is available. And please remember, healthy schools = healthy communities. When you invest in education today, you’re also planning for a better future (just like when you put money aside for improved roads, etc.) Maybe that child educated in Frederick County today will design tomorrow’s roads!
Please choose Scenario A. Honestly, it’s the least the BOS can do. Thank you.
My name is Joel Cosner, and I reside in the Opequon District.
I am writing today in support of Scenario A, Full Funding for the Frederick County Public Schools requested budget from the elected school board members. When I pay taxes in this county, I expect my tax dollars to be put to use right away for needs that the county has right now. Of course, I do also understand the need to be good stewards of money, planning ahead, and being prudent in the approach with our county finances.
However, when our county has a historically large reserve fund (or “slush fund” as some call it), I expect that our public services will be fully funded to the extent that is economically sound. There was even an economically trained expert that spoke in favor of full FCPS funding at the April 13th meeting - what more evidence do some of you on the Board of Supervisors need to see and/or hear to know that this is a proper use of taxpayer money? It is also well documented that for each dollar that is invested in local educational spending, we multiply the amount of economic wealth to the local area. There is no reason to not fully fund the requested budget for FCPS.
I also see that there is discussion on this very meeting to possibly divert public tax dollars to private educational sources instead. Even as a public school teacher, I can understand that there are alternatives to public school that may work better for individual situations. Perhaps it would not be so difficult for me to stomach this discussion if it weren’t simultaneously occurring at the same time as some of your continued efforts to do what has the perception of “reigning in the school system.” I had a very wise administrator once tell me that “Sometimes, perception is reality,” and the perception is that some of you do not support our local public schools. Please change this by fully funding the FCPS requested budget, Scenario A, Full Funding. Thank you very much for your time and attention to this comment.
To Whom it may concern: Opequon District
Board of Supervisors Meeting April 27th, 2022
My name is Denise Reed My husband and I own a home at 1000 Salem Church Rd Stephens City Va. Since 2003 Our home is parallel to the very narrow private shared driveway Named Wayne’s Lane of which we own a portion of the easement.
There are many areas of concerns about a short term lodging using this private shared Driveway to access
1. On numerous occasions total Strangers have pulled into my house to find Wayne’s Lane
2. There is a tremendous amount of dust that comes with the use of this unpaved lane and I have never been able to open my windows on the back side of my house or hang laundry out to dry
3. There is a continual issue of vehicles pulling into my yard to allow another vehicle to pass, not knowing the rule is to back up to the corner in order to let a person pass. This has caused tremendous wear and tear in my property.
4. I have in the past been robbed and this private drive was used for that purpose to get to the back side of my property in order to not be noticed.
5. The maintenance of this lane is the responsibility of the Homeowners that use the driveway. Additional vehicles on this private driveway will cause additional maintenance and expenses.
6. My husband travels for work and I am alone and this makes me feel uncomfortable to have strangers that I do not know and can’t vet accessing this driveway all hours of the day and night.
7. Short term lodging especially in the summer months will only incur a much bigger problem for the homeowners.
In conclusion I support the Planning Commission’s recommendation in requiring the Owners / Operators of short term lodging’s to obtain written consent of use of shared driveways from sharing parties
Denise Reed
To the Board of Supervisors,
I am once again writing to express support for Scenario A of the School Operations Budget. I know, as well as you all do, that this scenario is by far the most supported by your constituents. As a new hire of Frederick County Public Schools, I should not have to be concerned about my job offer being rescinded in the middle of one of the worst, if not the worst, teacher shortage this nation has seen. Our schools, teachers, and students need this full funding. We deserve a raise AND additional staff to ease our ratios- the past three years have been hard enough on us; we do not deserve to have to make this choice. If you refuse to acknowledge that, we as a county and FCPS as one of its the largest employers will have no choice but to refuse to acknowledge you as a choice in your respective reelections.
After watching the April 13th meeting via livestream, I was incredibly disappointed to hear the ways members of the board have been holding our schools, our children, hostage in the name of political games. Children our the future, not your game pieces. It is so disheartening to see a group of elected officials so clearly disregard the wants of their constituents while supporting a future that hurts them at the same time. We cannot and will not stand for this clear attempt to weaken the school system so that your attacks hit harder come next budget season. We especially will not stand for the attempt to sweep this budget matter under the rug by delaying the vote by two weeks. We are only getting louder.
As stated by several others, now is the time to invest in your future as a county. We are in a peak financial position and the county, and therefore the tax base, is only growing now. Make the wise choice. Listen to your constituents. To quote one of your own, "It's the right thing to do."
I support passing the school budget as proposed by Dr. Sovine and the School Board. It is critical that FULL FUNDING be given to support the work of the teachers, to uphold the quality of the schools, to keep class sizes small, and to maintain the quality of a full menu of offerings, including STEM, AP, honors, and the arts.
I am very disappointed in the Board of Supervisors and the irresponsible way you have played politics, using our children as the pawns. What you are doing will have a ripple effect in terms of economic development and could have a negative impact on the quality of life in Frederick County for decades to come. It's time to stop making threats and start finding ways to cooperate and work together like the professionals you are supposed to be. You do not represent special interest groups. You represent the interests of the entire county, and that includes children, teachers, families, and the local businesses who rely on the schools to attract employees.