To our shock and dismay, the proposed budget for Fairfax County Government eliminates all afterschool and summer school programs for middle school students. This impacts 27 programs, 25 outside organizations, and more than 23,000 middle school students and their parents. Fairfax’s network of out-of-school time programs is one of the most impressive in Virginia and serves as a lifeline for working parents and the local economy. While we understand the county is facing significant budget cuts, they cannot make them at the expensive of the county’s children. If you live or work in Fairfax County, we need you to contact your representative on the Board of Supervisors and School Board and convince them that this is not the solution. The implications of eliminating these programs will be far-reaching and be felt beyond the school system. It is critical that your representatives hear from you ASAP. If you live or work in Fairfax County, please take a few minutes to e-mail them and urge them NOT to eliminate middle school afterschool and summer programs.