Overdue Post

I know, I know. I should post more often if I want folks to read. But much of what keeps me busy is not stuff to be published. Not that it is ultra-top-secret -- it is either rumor & speculation or it involves a particular member who'd rather not have names and details splashed all over. [Even if it is just splashed all over a blog that's seldom read.] Nonetheless, I should mention the following.

1. The RA voted to communicate its concern to the Board about the elimination of the Certification Coordinator position. RA members will work on this. They'll also continue work on Constitutional reform and the SPTA budget for next year.

2. The talks with the school board about the current budget continue as more and more info becomes available. Polly Ward likens the process to building on quicksand. So far, the committee has proposed a budget that is within the City Council's tax increase guidance -- the concern is making sure the proposal will be passed by the voters in the June election.

3. No one has volunteered to run for secretary of the SPTA yet. Will someone please persuade Gail Ryder to run again or self-nominate in her place?

4. The budget situation in Augusta continues to worsen. State revenue forecasts have been revised (downward) a couple of times. We will need to be prepared for the possibility that a three-year stimulus package may only carry us through two years, meaning 2011-2012 may be the grimmest we've seen in a long time (unless revenues revive). Of course folks keep saying that the Mayans told us the End of Everything comes in 2012 -- if so, let's hope it is before July 1, since we may not have a budget for the second part of that year.

Random Notes

Some business out of the RA:

• Jerry Hunter will be assembling a budget committee from the RA to help him shape a budget for next year.
  
• The RA will also assemble a scholarship committee to award the three scholarships approved by the RA.
  
• Elections will be held in May for the offices of secretary and treasurer. Anyone wishing to declare candidacy for either office can send a message to Tom Major at majorto@spsd.org or just announce her/his candidacy by posting a comment below.
  
• The negotiations committee will continue its work by meeting again with representatives of the school board on Monday, 4/6/09.
  

Please send questions, comments, or expressions of anxiety to the above email address or post them to the comments section of this page.