Candidate Aubrey Harbaugh
Responds to FCAST Letter

Mr Kavanaugh,

Thank you for your e-mail. This is one (of MANY) of the reasons I have become frustrated with the BoE! They spend money with absolutely no thought of the future! An example close to my heart is, of course, the proposed closure of Sabillasville ES. They spent millions of dollars to install a new air conditioning system, and the next year, they proposed to close the school!! It makes no sense!

Although I'm not a sports-oriented person, which is to mean that I have little-to-no athletic ability, I certainly understand the value of the team. Also, having a husband who, until about 8 years ago, could not swim but worked around water, I certainly understand the value of water safety.

I think what I appreciate most about your organization is that you have taken it upon yourselves to try to defray the costs to the school system, or come up with suggestions of cuts that could be made as an alternative to pool closure. I noticed that a lot of those who spoke out for their programs in the last round of budget cuts did not come prepared with alternative ways to save money that would, in turn, save their program.

I can see that there is a severe hemorrhage of funds from the FCPS system. My goal is to figure out exactly where the flow is coming from and to cut out any waste that is threatening programs that affect our kids. Many will say that the goal of a school system should be education and that sports has little effect on that goal, but I disagree. Education should be our primary goal, but I think a lot of groups would be more successful if its members had learned to "play nice in the sandbox" through the comraderie and teamwork that being a part of a sports team can provide. We also cannot ignore the community service this can provide through water safety education, and of course, the epidemic that is childhood obesity.

Long story short (too late!), I will work very hard to preserve all programs that affect our kids and make them better citizens. I will try my best to incorporate your suggestions, and I will make every effort to keep our sports teams up and running. I might have a lot of opposition, and I may not succeed, but as I said, I will do everything I can.

Thank you for your interest, and best wishes to your organization in your continued battle.

Sincerely,
Aubrey Harbaugh