In response to the proposed budget cuts and imposed Athletic fee of $100 per Athlete per season, the McLean High School Athletic Booster have taken the following stance.

 

Please consider emailing the suggested text to John Foust, Jane Strauss, and complete a county budget feedback form.

 

John Foust, FFX County Board of Supervisors - dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov

Jane Strauss, FCPS Board, Dranesville District representative - jane.strauss@fcps.edu

Budget on line feedback form - http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/survey/fy11suggestions.htm

General information at http://www.fcps.edu

Potential program reductions - http://www.fcps.edu/news/fy2011/possiblecuts1119.pdf

 

I acknowledge the extreme difficulties the board is facing in developing a fair and equitable budget in the current economic climate. However, as a constituent, I feel compelled to express opposition to the proposed FY11 budget reductions affecting Fairfax County high school athletic programs; specifically, athletic fees of $100/athlete per sport and the elimination of freshman sports. It is not my purpose to suggest sacrificing other programs to the benefit of athletics, but rather to reiterate the following:

 

·         The proposed reductions will eliminate the opportunity for a segment of County students to participate in athletics and, in turn, to realize developmental benefits that teamwork and competition have to offer.

·         FCPS athletes and their families make significant financial contributions to subsidize already underfunded programs and maintenance requirements at County high schools. Taxing families with an activity fee or eliminating them from the financial base, will severely limit individual school’s ability to garner the voluntary financial support needed to fund necessary annual field maintenance, uniform replacement, coaches/trainer education, need-based financial support for athletes, etc. Additional financial strain on families will also negatively impact capital campaign efforts designed to address needs the County has no near-term ability to support. 

·         The most egregious aspect of the potential activity fee is that the monies would be placed in a “general” county-use account and not directed toward specifically offsetting athletic budget shortfalls. IF the County decides to tax athletes, at least let DSAs manage the funds for specified uses such as transportation.

 

I respectfully request that the Board remove proposed reductions to athletic programs from the FY11 budget so as many young adults as possible can experience the benefits of athletics and so parents can work with their schools directly to provide the financial support the County cannot.

 

2009/2010 McLean High School Booster Calendar

 

Thurs. Aug. 27     Football Scrimmage 6:00 – Tailgate 5:00

Wed. Sept. 9        Booster Meeting (All meetings are at 7:00 pm in the cafeteria)

Thurs. Sept. 17   Home vs. Wakefield 7:30, Tailgate 6:30

Fri Sept 25           Home vs. Madison 7:30, Tailgate 6:30

Mon. Oct. 5           Booster Meeting

Fri. Oct. 16            Home vs. Marshall 7:30, Tailgate 6:30

Fri. Oct. 23            Golf Tournament

Fri. Oct. 30            Home vs. Stone Bridge 7:30, Tailgate 6:30

Fri. Nov. 6             Home vs. Langley 7:30, Tailgate 6:30

Mon. Nov. 9          Booster Meeting

Sat. Dec. 5           Holiday Bazaar

Mon. Dec. 7         Booster Meeting

Mon. Jan. 4          Booster Meeting

Mon. Feb. 3         Booster Meeting

Mon. March 1      Booster Meeting

Mon. April 5         Booster Meeting

Mon. May 3          Booster Meeting

Mon. June 7        Sports Banquet