Mark J. Nuzzaco for Loudoun School Board Leesburg District
Issues
Platform
If elected I will further improve Loudoun’s great public schools by working diligently and effectively to:
If elected I will further improve Loudoun’s great public schools by working diligently and effectively to:
- Reduce taxes on households by promoting greater economic development in Loudoun County
- Reduce costs with a zero-based LCPS budget & Citizens Budget Advisory Committee
- Establish a new LCPS Pay Scale that -
- Is economically realistic and sustainable
- Is the first thing funded in every year’s budget
- recognizes high quality teachers as most important factor in educating children, after nurturing families
- Raises starting teacher pay to be competitive and attract the best teachers
- Appropriately measures and compensates performance
- Foster classrooms and instruction options conducive to learning for all students
- Utilize educational technology more effectively and cost efficiently
- Offer Monroe Technology Academy courses to more students
- Re-evaluate LCPS building standards and maximize use of facilities
- Foster character development, civility and discipline in Loudoun’s Public Schools
November 7, 2011
Leesburg Area Elementary School Boundaries, and Balls Bluff Elementary School
As I have continued to get questions over the past couple of days about my position on the boundaries for BBES I thought I should write this e-mail to clarify any possible misunderstandings about where I stand on the subject.
First and foremost, I do not want to politicize the process, but it is impossible not to talk about it as it is of great importance to the community and I understand that very well.
Second, I feel very strongly that all the children in Leesburg need to be in the best learning environment possible. And to achieve this I support a more even distribution of the neediest students throughout all the schools of Leesburg. This will benefit the neediest children, and will allow the community as a whole to help nurture those children and receive the insight and satisfaction that experience can provide. At the same time it is equally important that the educational needs of all other students be met with equal consideration and fervor, both the most advanced as well as the large majority in the middle
Third, although I may have some first impressions, who doesn’t, I must refrain from any final judgments until all of the public hearings and work sessions are complete, so as to have the benefit of as much information and analysis as possible. I take this view based on my experience as a former School Board member who had to make some very hard decisions in the last round of boundaries for Leesburg elementary schools. I still stand by those decisions, and learned a lot from that process.
Fourth, I think a strong case can be made for PC and EL being regarded as one continuous community, which is contiguous to and closest to BBES.
Fifth, my first impression was that Potomac Crossing and Edwards Landing alone would be a tight fit at BBES given the growth of the community over the past four years. That was partly correct, but the October 20 CLs numbers show a little more space remaining at the school after both PC and EL are included than I initially thought.
Sixth, I think it is fair to assume that some of the population of neediest students at BBEs will likely be reduced as there is a more even distribution achieved in all Leesburg schools.
Seventh, the above factors have to be considered in the context of the schools program capacity, meaning how the needs of various students might impact the number of students that can be accommodated at the school. This will certainly be a very important part of the discussion at the upcoming School Board work sessions.
Finally, should I be so fortunate as to be elected as the next Leesburg School Board member I would expect the people of the district to expect me to express a position on the final boundary plan before the current School Board votes in December, and I would do so.
I hope this helps to clarify my position, and I am always available for more questions and input.
With best regards,
Mark Nuzzaco
Leesburg Area Elementary School Boundaries, and Balls Bluff Elementary School
As I have continued to get questions over the past couple of days about my position on the boundaries for BBES I thought I should write this e-mail to clarify any possible misunderstandings about where I stand on the subject.
First and foremost, I do not want to politicize the process, but it is impossible not to talk about it as it is of great importance to the community and I understand that very well.
Second, I feel very strongly that all the children in Leesburg need to be in the best learning environment possible. And to achieve this I support a more even distribution of the neediest students throughout all the schools of Leesburg. This will benefit the neediest children, and will allow the community as a whole to help nurture those children and receive the insight and satisfaction that experience can provide. At the same time it is equally important that the educational needs of all other students be met with equal consideration and fervor, both the most advanced as well as the large majority in the middle
Third, although I may have some first impressions, who doesn’t, I must refrain from any final judgments until all of the public hearings and work sessions are complete, so as to have the benefit of as much information and analysis as possible. I take this view based on my experience as a former School Board member who had to make some very hard decisions in the last round of boundaries for Leesburg elementary schools. I still stand by those decisions, and learned a lot from that process.
Fourth, I think a strong case can be made for PC and EL being regarded as one continuous community, which is contiguous to and closest to BBES.
Fifth, my first impression was that Potomac Crossing and Edwards Landing alone would be a tight fit at BBES given the growth of the community over the past four years. That was partly correct, but the October 20 CLs numbers show a little more space remaining at the school after both PC and EL are included than I initially thought.
Sixth, I think it is fair to assume that some of the population of neediest students at BBEs will likely be reduced as there is a more even distribution achieved in all Leesburg schools.
Seventh, the above factors have to be considered in the context of the schools program capacity, meaning how the needs of various students might impact the number of students that can be accommodated at the school. This will certainly be a very important part of the discussion at the upcoming School Board work sessions.
Finally, should I be so fortunate as to be elected as the next Leesburg School Board member I would expect the people of the district to expect me to express a position on the final boundary plan before the current School Board votes in December, and I would do so.
I hope this helps to clarify my position, and I am always available for more questions and input.
With best regards,
Mark Nuzzaco
