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Stafford School Board and Board of Supervisors have a $2 million disagreement Date published: 2/4/2009
BY JONAS BEALS
In these times of layoffs and budget cuts, it would be difficult to say that anyone is getting everything they want, but members of the Stafford School Board walked out of last night's Board of Supervisors meeting with exactly that--at least for the time being. After a presentation by the superintendent of schools and a lengthy discussion, supervisors voted unanimously to re-appropriate excess funds in this year's budget to the School Board in full. It was not a clean getaway for the School Board, however. "If you don't come up with a way to reduce your budget by $2 million," Supervisor Harry Crisp said to School Board Chairman Patricia Healy, "we're all in deep trouble." To understand the situation, one needs to go back to October, when the Board of Supervisors first instituted measures to balance the current fiscal year's budget. Actions taken at that time included cuts to county budgets, as well as the elimination of six full-time positions. The plan also included a recommendation that the School Board slice $2 million off this year's budget. As of last night, they had not done so. Traditionally, there have been funds left over from the School Board budget and traditionally, the Board of Supervisors has elected to return that money to the schools. This year, the county staff recommended withholding $2 million of those funds in order to balance the county budget. "We counted on that money," Healy said. "Now is not the time to make these changes. These are our kids, and you're talking about taking money away from us." School Superintendent David Sawyer recommended supervisors consider dipping into the county's undesignated fund balance, a reserve fund that is already below the level prescribed by county policy. County Administrator Anthony Romanello fears that taking $2 million from the undesignated fund balance could jeopardize the county's bond rating, which could add a significant cost to borrowing money in the future. "If $2 million doesn't materialize, it comes from the fund balance or we have to reduce expenditures," Romanello said. "At this point, that would mean massive layoffs." Healy advised that she understands the situation, but countered that this is exactly the sort of situation the undesignated fund balance is for. She would not commit to any budget cuts. "We are considering it," she said. "We haven't turned it down completely." Supervisors expressed concern over the School Board's budget process, and worried that school officials do not share their sense of urgency in dealing with budget shortfalls. "We are counting on you guys to help us," Supervisor Paul Milde said to Healy. "You have not shown us how you intend to do that." Jonas Beals: 540/368-5036
It is called asking for millions more than you need every year and then saying we balanced our budget. For the last several years we hear that the BoS isn't giving SCPS enough money, but in the end SCPS isn't spending all of the money allocated. It seems that the person creating the budget for SCPS has been on the high side for the last 5-6 years, even with not getting the higher amount they request. Of the $10.3 million the BoS overspent, $8.3 million of it went SCPS. Thanks for clearing that up.
Schools balance their budget every year - by law!. Over the last 5 years schools saved and returned to the county almost $17M. The county has only balanced its budget 1 of the last 3 years and 3 of the last 9. Lsst year the BOS overspent by $10.3M and are on track for $8.3M this year. Who needs to save??
you only back up the school board, you don't want to hear that there really ARE ways for the schools/transportation to cut back. I have sent you two messages and apparently you don't want to hear about it but I am hoping that I am just being hasty with my thoughts on where you really stand?
Parents of 26,500 students please pay attention! Stafford School budgets, prepared by professional educators have been shortchanged $53M since 2006. Look for the 2010 school budget REQUEST to be some $40-$50M less than last year not because it is not needed to educate our kids for their future but because the SB knows the revenue is not there $100M in 5 years is a long way from realizing the BOS new budget policy vision of ensuring a globally competitive school system. Parents - time for some e-mails
SCPS doesn't want more money, they just don't want to reduce the $2 million dollars that was recommended by the BoS, and want the BoS to dip in to a fund for the $2 million.
So SCPS doesn't want to trim the budget by $2 million, and they expect all of the re-appropriate excess funds in this year's budget to the School Board in full.
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