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
Email: jbeals@freelancestar.com