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Sample Local Resolution

A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF VIRGINIA’S STUDENTS

Whereas, many students in Virginia’s public schools are at-risk of not learning what is required to earn a high school diploma, enroll in a college or university or enter the job market, and even the successful students who graduate are affected by schools struggling to provide the level of educational quality they need and deserve; and, whereas, teachers often find they do not have the tools or training necessary to teach the subjects mandated for achievement of state standards and teachers’ salaries and the uncertain state support of salaries do not provide the kind of incentives that attract and keep the most talented professionals, and,

Whereas, state funding for public education does not reflect the true cost of constructing, staffing, equipping, operating and maintaining schools that perform at the level needed to support the foundation for standards of quality and learning, and the costs of educating at-risk students create additional fiscal pressures on many school systems, and, whereas, not only are students being left behind, taxpayers are seeing the increasing burden of higher local real estate tax rates as local governments try to pay both their share and the state’s share of education costs, and, when Virginia’s students plan for higher education, they face additional challenges because legislative reports also have verified that appropriate levels of funding have not been achieved for higher education, and one of the worst results of reduced funding for college students is that so many qualified Virginia students are denied admission because the faculty, buildings, and equipment are simply not there to accommodate them, and;

Whereas, the effects of being left behind without a high school diploma or a college degree, especially for an at-risk student, are compelling.  A Virginian who has a high school diploma earns a lot more than one who does not. A degree from a community college means more, and a four-year college degree means even more. Education literally pays, in addition to its other quality-of-life benefits.

Therefore be it resolved that, _            _______           urges the General Assembly to provide additional state dollars to fully fund the actual costs of the Standards of Quality and the legislative guidelines for higher education funding. These actions are essential if our elementary, middle and high schools, community colleges and four-year colleges and universities are to meet the following goals:

• Smaller classes in schools and colleges where teachers and faculty can provide students the individual attention they need to learn and graduate on time;
  
  
• Sufficient numbers of well-qualified teachers and faculty to give every student the opportunity to graduate from high school and to have access to higher education and opportunities for training and skill development;
  
  
• Competitive salaries to attract and keep well-qualified teachers and faculty to help students learn;
  
  
• Modern, safe classrooms, laboratories, technology and equipment to provide the environment in which students learn best;
  
  
• Accountability and performance measurement at all levels for students, teachers, faculty, administrators and others responsible for helping students learn.

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