Dear Friends,

We’ll be sending out a brief press release soon, but I wanted to let you know myself that my own life adventure continues. All looks good, but I am being treated for breast cancer. We caught it relatively early (as the press release says, get your regular checkups). The prognosis is very good and, overall, I continue to be lucky. In general, I’m feeling well and plan to keep going just as I have been, although I have skipped some activities lately and am likely to continue to take things at a little slower pace for a while, particularly this fall. 

Our schools got some great news last week when the County Board put out a press release saying that they would put Wakefield in the 2010 bond. As many of you know, I’ve been working for some time to keep Wakefield on a fast track in case financing works out to begin construction earlier than the originally planned start date of 2013. With the current continued economic situation, construction is down and contractors and suppliers are anxious for work. This means we are getting very favorable bids and anticipate starting Wakefield in 2011 rather than 2013. That will save about $15M and likely much more, depending on when the economy picks up. Once money loosens up and the pent up demand for projects is let out of the box, costs will soar. I very much hope voters will approve our 2010 bond request and that costs will stay low until we bid the contract for Wakefield about this time next year.

On the political end, you may be hearing about the move to change our Arlington system of government.  This would have large, and I think very negative, consequences for Arlington. A group has formed called the Coalition for Arlington Good Government (the “Arlington Way” at work). Their website has good information: http://www.arlingtoncoalition.org. If you have any questions about it for me, feel free to ask.

Finally, it was teacher appreciation week earlier this month. Our recognition ceremony for Teacher of the Year, which recognized every school’s teacher of the year as well our Arlington Teacher of the Year, was held on May 18. As always, I was extremely impressed with the quality and diversity of the many wonderful teachers we have in our schools. There were career switchers (2 former engineers and 1 former journalist among others) and there were new teachers and veterans…..all loved for their caring and professionalism because they make the positive difference for our students every day in the classroom. Great teachers make this school system what it is. Our superintendent and board chair did a little video thank you for our teachers along with some students from Drew. Check out the clip; it’s short and will make you smile.

http://www.apsva.us/1540104114240100/podcasts/browse.asp?a=399&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=65011

As always, I hope this information is of interest and helpful to you. If there is anything you particularly want to hear about, let me know.

I wish everyone a good Memorial Day weekend and end of the school year.

Libby