1. Staff reduction - The current proposal calls for the reduction of one faculty member at the Academy. With 91 students, eliminating one teaching position at BVA is the equivalent of 8-9 positions at one of the home high schools. The teachers at BVA are among the most dedicated in the district. They all teach in critical academic areas. 

2. Elimination of after hours programs - After hours assistance is the essence of the Academy - this is when the student work actually gets done. Eliminating it would severely damage the Academy's mission. 

We feel that the Academy's programs and intent are essential to the district and the community as a whole. BVA graduates students who might be held back or might not otherwise graduate; thus becoming a burden on the district and the community. Reducing budget at BVA is counter-intuitive; in the long run it will cost the district more. For these reasons we request your strong consideration of protecting the positions and the integrity of the programs of Blue Valley Academy.

Michelle Safford and Joel Blumenthal

Proposed budget cuts (see pg 8, items 54-55): http://www.bluevalleyk12.org/education/sctemp/43d2dd55a656fd8c58e79ae1d5de0dc1/1269708755/March082010BudgetList.pdf