FCPS leaders urge supervisors to avert school budget crisis
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| A fourth-grade class at Mason Crest Elementary School. |
Now that the Board of Supervisors has released an advertised budget for fiscal year 2015 that would only provide a 2 percent increase in the
amount of funds to be transferred to Fairfax County Public Schools—rather than a
5.7 percent increase sought by Superintendent Karen Garza and the school
board—school advocates are mobilizing the public to urge the BoS to come up with more money.
School board member Sandy Evans (Mason) held a town hall
meeting at Stuart High School March 11, where FCPS Chief Financial Officer
Susan Quinn explained why a larger increase in the county transfer is needed to
offset enrollment growth and uncontrollable costs.
meeting at Stuart High School March 11, where FCPS Chief Financial Officer
Susan Quinn explained why a larger increase in the county transfer is needed to
offset enrollment growth and uncontrollable costs.
Evans, along with several PTA presidents at the meeting,
urged parents and others who care about the quality of our schools to attend a
Budget Town Hall hosted by Mason Supervisor Penny Gross March 20, 7 p.m., at
Annandale High School.
Quinn said FCPS needs an additional $25.8 million to meet
the needs of the growing student population. Enrollment has been increasing at
the rate of 2,500 students a year and that growth rate is expected to continue.
By 2020 enrollment is projected to reach 200,000.
the needs of the growing student population. Enrollment has been increasing at
the rate of 2,500 students a year and that growth rate is expected to continue.
By 2020 enrollment is projected to reach 200,000.
The mix of students in changing too, with greater increases in
higher-cost students, including those eligible for free and reduced-price
lunches (this population is now 28 percent of the total), and more special education
students with more severe disabilities.
higher-cost students, including those eligible for free and reduced-price
lunches (this population is now 28 percent of the total), and more special education
students with more severe disabilities.
A major uncontrollable cost is the school system’s
obligation to contribute $38 million into the Virginia Retirement System (VRS).
Another 1.4 million is needed to cover higher health insurance costs.
obligation to contribute $38 million into the Virginia Retirement System (VRS).
Another 1.4 million is needed to cover higher health insurance costs.
If FCPS ends up with just a 2 percent increase in county
funds, as proposed in the BoS advertised budget, the school system would only receive a $34
million increase—not enough to even offset the mandatory VRS contribution, Quinn said.
That means FCPS would have to make drastic cuts in programs and services in an
already-tight budget.
funds, as proposed in the BoS advertised budget, the school system would only receive a $34
million increase—not enough to even offset the mandatory VRS contribution, Quinn said.
That means FCPS would have to make drastic cuts in programs and services in an
already-tight budget.
One way the county could increase funds for schools is by
raising property taxes and passing along some of that additional revenue to FCPS.
The advertised tax rate approved by the BoS March 4 gives the supervisors the option of increasing the tax rate by as much as two cents, from the current rate of $1.085 per $100 of
assessed value to $1.105. A one-cent increase would amount to $22 million.
raising property taxes and passing along some of that additional revenue to FCPS.
The advertised tax rate approved by the BoS March 4 gives the supervisors the option of increasing the tax rate by as much as two cents, from the current rate of $1.085 per $100 of
assessed value to $1.105. A one-cent increase would amount to $22 million.
Even with a 5.7 percent increase in county funds, Garza’s
$2.5 billion budget includes some tough cuts, including the elimination of 700
teachers (mostly by attrition). That would result in increasing classes by half
a student on average in elementary and
middle schools and by one student in high schools.
$2.5 billion budget includes some tough cuts, including the elimination of 700
teachers (mostly by attrition). That would result in increasing classes by half
a student on average in elementary and
middle schools and by one student in high schools.
Garza’s proposed budget, which was endorsed by the school board, is
$59.4 million over the current year budget, a 2.4 percent increase. In addition
to seeking funds to cover the uncontrollable costs, the budget would require
fees for taking AP and IB tests, eliminate assistant principals in small
elementary and middle schools, cut custodial and clerical positions, cut professional
development, and defer equipment replacement, among other things.
$59.4 million over the current year budget, a 2.4 percent increase. In addition
to seeking funds to cover the uncontrollable costs, the budget would require
fees for taking AP and IB tests, eliminate assistant principals in small
elementary and middle schools, cut custodial and clerical positions, cut professional
development, and defer equipment replacement, among other things.
The proposed budget also includes step increases for
employees. FCPS leaders believe it’s necessary to pay teachers competitive
salaries to maintain the quality of the school system. Evans said anecdotal
evidence suggests teachers are abandoning Fairfax County schools to work in
higher-paying school districts nearby, such as Arlington and Alexandria.
employees. FCPS leaders believe it’s necessary to pay teachers competitive
salaries to maintain the quality of the school system. Evans said anecdotal
evidence suggests teachers are abandoning Fairfax County schools to work in
higher-paying school districts nearby, such as Arlington and Alexandria.
Evans raised the possibility that if the state budget, not
yet approved by the General Assembly, provides more money for schools, she
would like the AP and IB fees eliminated. However, a small portion of the FCPS
operating budget comes from state revenues. The vast majority, 72 percent, is
from the county.
yet approved by the General Assembly, provides more money for schools, she
would like the AP and IB fees eliminated. However, a small portion of the FCPS
operating budget comes from state revenues. The vast majority, 72 percent, is
from the county.
If the BoS does not come up with additional revenue or
otherwise increase the schools transfer funds, FCPS would have to make even
deeper cuts—affecting class size, teacher pay, and the instructional program.
otherwise increase the schools transfer funds, FCPS would have to make even
deeper cuts—affecting class size, teacher pay, and the instructional program.
Evans urged the public to come to the budget town hall next
week and also to sign up to speak at the BoS hearings on the budget April 8-10.
There is also a Braddock District Budget Town Hall scheduled for April 1Robinson Secondary School.
week and also to sign up to speak at the BoS hearings on the budget April 8-10.
There is also a Braddock District Budget Town Hall scheduled for April 1Robinson Secondary School.
The BoS is scheduled to approve the 2015 budget and tax rate
on April 29. The school board will then approve a final FCPS budget by the end of May.
on April 29. The school board will then approve a final FCPS budget by the end of May.
When a member of the audience suggested FCPS cut back on
preschool rather than reduce spending on programs that benefit older students,
Stuart Principal Prospera Calhoun disagreed, noting that children who have an
opportunity to attend preschool do much better academically when they get older—even
in high school.
preschool rather than reduce spending on programs that benefit older students,
Stuart Principal Prospera Calhoun disagreed, noting that children who have an
opportunity to attend preschool do much better academically when they get older—even
in high school.
Several people brought up the problem of overcrowded schools
in Mason District. Evans agreed that is a serious problem, noting that nearly
all the schools in Mason are overcrowded, some severely, or are projected to be
over capacity within the next few years. School facilities, however, are not
addressed in the FCPS operating budget.
in Mason District. Evans agreed that is a serious problem, noting that nearly
all the schools in Mason are overcrowded, some severely, or are projected to be
over capacity within the next few years. School facilities, however, are not
addressed in the FCPS operating budget.
One member of the audience blamed lax code enforcement,
resulting in too many families crowded into houses and apartments. And someone else
said the supervisors are too supportive of developers, resulting in lots of new
apartments, thus contributing to even more overcrowding.
resulting in too many families crowded into houses and apartments. And someone else
said the supervisors are too supportive of developers, resulting in lots of new
apartments, thus contributing to even more overcrowding.
Developers are supposed to contribute proffers at the rate
of $10,800 per student expected to live in new housing. Those funds are used at
the affected schools. They can be used for things like trailers, but it’s not money
enough to build a new school. Meanwhile, there is concern that the supervisors
are waiving proffers in some cases.
of $10,800 per student expected to live in new housing. Those funds are used at
the affected schools. They can be used for things like trailers, but it’s not money
enough to build a new school. Meanwhile, there is concern that the supervisors
are waiving proffers in some cases.
The Board of Supervisors is KILLING FAIRFAX County by allowing all the illegals to come here enjoy free education, junk the neighborhoods up, and ruin the quality of life of those who pay taxes and abide by the law.
that's hitting the nail on the head!
Thank you very much for your continued coverage of this issue. You do a wonderful job with this blog. Thank you.
When will our BOS get on board and actually start governing for the tax payers. Our schools kids are trying to learn in schools that are overcrowded. Many parents are using the schools as a free babysitting service and not for an education. Our kids are suffering in these schools and as our BOS has said "That is not my problem". When are we going to say enough is enough. Our schools and infrastructure can not handle these issues and we need to stay "STOP". Enforce our laws and our housing codes. They are being ignored and we have homes that our boarding homes and hoarded with adults and children. We have kids sleeping in dresser drawers and closets. This is not acceptable.
AMEN
Amen again
1. Fairfax County does not control national immigration policy
2. They are here doing work for YOU – for FFX county homeowners and businesses, and contractors who serve them.
3. Despite the number of undocumented immigrants, I doubt FFX has as many poor people as DC, Alexandria, PG or MoCo. For decades Fairfax had no objection to DC and other inner jurisdictions shouldering the burden of the regions poor. Well now you all have to take some of that. You can afford it, in one of the richest counties in the nation, that still boasts about its school system. You just may have to have spend a bit less on your SUV's, on your large screen TV's – and maybe a bit less on your undocumented gardener, or the undocumented workers redoing a wing of your house.
Its depressing that instead of a discussion of the relative merits of keeping property tax rates low, vs spending more on our excellent schools, comments on posts like this always devolve into sessions that blame immigrants for FFX not being able to "have it all" (top rate schools AND low tax rates.)
I blame it on the internet comment culture – I KNOW Fairfax County is better than this.
I have no children in the FFX county school system. I have had no children in the FFX school system. I drive a 12-year-old car and watch my TV on a 28-inch screen. More than 50% of the county budget (and my tax dollars) goes to support one single entity — the school system, and the school system serves about 25% of the county's population. To me, it's just a matter of fairness. Meanwhile, I am totally flummoxed by the seemingly odd glee that now the county has more poor people and somehow we should rejoice and shoulder our burden. Really?