During the budget process last year, when ACPS faced a gap between revenue and expenditures, we viewed the situation as an opportunity to change the way we do business. While some businesses and school divisions reacted to the economic crises by keeping core programs safe and cutting newer programs and employees, we embarked upon a detailed analysis of how best to use existing resources. Using the Strategic Plan as our road map, we developed seven guiding principles to focus our decisions:

1. Champion student achievement and instruction
2. Respond to enrollment increases and changing needs of students
3. Respect impact of economic downturn
4. Identify efficiencies
5. Eliminate or modify programs or activities that do not help us reach our goals
6. Base determinations on research and data
7. Strive to place affected employees in other positions

The preliminary fiscal forecast for FY 2011 anticipates a funding gap of $11 to $17 million dollars due in part to increasing enrollment, an increase in health insurance and Virginia Retirement System costs, and a decrease in expected revenue from the City and the State because of the current economic situation. Once again, we will face some tough budget decisions, and we look forward to receiving your thoughtful, creative, and forward-looking suggestions.

Your First Name:

Your Last Name:

Your E-mail Address:

Your Relationship to ACPS: (check all that apply)

• parent of current ACPS student
• current ACPS student
• former ACPS student
• community member (not parent of ACPS student)
• ACPS employee
• Other (please specify):

FY 2011 Budget Suggestions: (required)