Schools | ARLnow.com

Proposed School Budget Includes Pay Raise for Teachers

Published February 24, 2011 at 3:58PM | Updated February 25, 2011 at 9:20AM

The proposed FY 2012 budget includes a step increase for teachers and other school employees that was not granted last year amid a serious budget crunch. It does not, however, include a cost of living (COLA) increase. COLA increases used to be granted nearly every year until Arlington’s budget difficulties began two years ago.

Senior employees and employees at the top of the pay scale — who together make up about 33 percent of the work force — are not eligible for a step increase. Dr. Murphy is proposing a one-time payment of $1,000 to those employees. The total cost of all pay raises is estimated at ~~$16.4~~ $7.9 million. (The original $16.4 million figure included benefit and retirement increases.)

APS Appoints Interim Williamsburg Principal, Hires Lawyer

By ARLnow.com

Published February 9, 2011 at 9:14AM | Updated February 10, 2011 at 11:11AM

The brouhaha over the resignation of Williamsburg Middle School principal Kathy Francis continues.

Arlington Public Schools announced last night that it had approved the hiring of an outside legal counsel to ~~defend the school system against~~ review allegations made by Francis, who sent a lengthy resignation letter to parents last week. In the letter, Francis accused superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy of “discrimination” and harassment.

APS Administrator Will Serve As Williamsburg’s Acting Principal

By ARLnow.com

Published February 4, 2011 at 9:05AM | Updated February 4, 2011 at 12:56PM

It didn’t take long for Williamsburg Middle School principal Kathleen Francis to be told she was no longer welcome at the school she led for more than a decade.

Francis sent a lengthy email to parents Tuesday night announcing her resignation and criticizing Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy. The email was posted on this web site and quickly started garnering thousands of hits and hundreds of comments.

Superintendent Responds to Principal’s Letter to Parents

By ARLnow.com

Published February 2, 2011 at 2:16PM | Updated February 2, 2011 at 3:33PM

Dr. Murphy’s letter to parents toned back some of the language used by the school system last night, when officials described the letter as “regrettable,” “unfortunate” and “very angry” in a statement to the Washington Post.

“We will continue to respond with a high level of professionalism and cannot discuss Ms. Francis’s actions now or in the future,” Dr. Murphy wrote. “However, we deny that there has been any discrimination.”

DEVELOPING — Middle School Principal Resigns, Sends Email to Parents Blaming Superintendent

By ARLnow.com

Published February 1, 2011 at 5:53PM | Updated February 1, 2011 at 6:37PM

In a lengthy email to parents, Francis detailed what she describes as a “long struggle” to resolve a personnel matter with Dr. Murphy. Francis said her efforts, which allegedly upset Dr. Murphy, resulted in “an ongoing series of actions to harass me and mischaracterize my performance and professional reputation.”

Francis defended her record and said she went so far as to file a discrimination complaint.

Arlington Teens Getting More Exercise, Having Less Sex

By ARLnow.com

Published February 1, 2011 at 2:32PM

The 2010 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which polled 8th, 10th and 12th graders in Arlington, found that more teens say they’re getting adequate exercise than three years ago, when the last survey was conducted.

In 2007, 40 percent of teens said they were getting adequate exercise — defined as at least one hour of exercise, five or more days per week. In 2010, that number jumped to 50 percent.

Egypt Unrest Results in APS Students Losing Their Teacher

By ARLnow.com

Published February 1, 2011 at 10:13AM

The Egyptian government has cut internet service in response to the unrest. As a result, Washington-Lee High School has temporarily lost its Arabic teacher, who teaches the class remotely from Egypt.

A “live” teacher has now been brought in to continue teaching the class.

Arlington Public Schools Closed Friday

By ARLnow.com

Published January 27, 2011 at 6:04PM

With many side streets still snow-covered, with power still out in many areas, and with a refreeze predicted tonight, Arlington County Schools have decided to remain closed Friday.

It’s the third day in a row that schools have been affected by weather. Schools were closed Thursday and let out two hours early on Wednesday.

Arlington Public Schools Closed Thursday

By ARLnow.com

Published January 26, 2011 at 9:34PM | Updated January 26, 2011 at 10:02PM

Arlington Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 27, the school system announced tonight.

Administrative offices will be open.

Federal Gov’t, Arlington Schools to Close Two Hours Early

By ARLnow.com

Published January 26, 2011 at 11:17AM | Updated January 26, 2011 at 1:16PM

With Arlington salt trucks gearing up to tackle this afternoon’s potentially dangerous snowfall, Arlington schools and the federal government have both announced early closings.

Arlington Public Schools will close two hours early today, the school system has announced. All evening and after school activities are canceled.

Capacity Crisis Looming for Arlington Public Schools

By ARLnow.com

Published January 21, 2011 at 12:08PM | Updated January 21, 2011 at 2:00PM

The numbers, in the words of one Tuckahoe Elementary parent who spoke at last night’s meeting, are “truly frightening.”

By 2016, two of the county’s four high schools will be over-capacity, five of the six middle schools will be over-capacity, and 18 of the 22 elementary schools will be over capacity. Only two out of Arlington’s 38 K-12 schools will be under 97 percent capacity.

Arlington Public Schools Delayed Two Hours

By ARLnow.com

Published January 18, 2011 at 7:10AM | Updated January 18, 2011 at 7:26AM

(Updated at 7:25 a.m.) The handful of Arlington public schools that were slated to be open today are operating on a two-hour delay due to icy road conditions. From APS:

Barcroft and Campbell Elementary schools, the Arlington Mill and Langston High School Continuation programs, and the Pools will open two hours late today. Students in all other APS schools and programs have No School today due to a scheduled Teacher Work Day. Teachers may report two hours late. Liberal leave is available for 12-month employees and for 10-month school office staff members. Essential employees should report on time.