I am writing as a parent of two children who have graduated from Richmond Public Schools and who benefitted greatly from programs for gifted learners.  During their years in RPS, I also served as a member and chair of the RPS Parents Advisory Committee for Programs for Gifted.  

Having helped to edit several 5-year plans, I can attest to the advantage of having one.  During my tenure on the Parents Advisory Committee, we were able to put needed improvements, staff positions and new programs before the RPS Board through the 5-year plan and see them implemented over time. Our Gifted Coordinator spoke often of the many positive aspects of having our 5-year plans reviewed by peers in other systems and of the valuable information that was afforded to staff and the Board through this process.  Personally, I would like to comment that if I planned my school finances on an annual basis, my children would never make it to or through college!

In recent years, I have seen state funds for gifted education threatened when proposals were made to include them in block grants to districts.  I believe the elimination of "redundant" language in the funding regulations would have a similar effect in that the information would be difficult for parents and taxpayers to find and promote.  I ask for the reinstatement of the gifted funding section which states that funding administered by the DOE for the education of gifted students be used only to support those activities identified in the school division's plan as approved by the Board of Education.

My thanks to the Board for this opportunity to comment.