The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
The way schools get their money from the city is slowing down operations in tight budget times, school officials say.
That's why the School Board passed a budget resolution earlier this month asking for $695.7 million in one lump sum instead of in categories, as is usually done.
"It's the way most school divisions receive their money... and it's more efficient that way," board Chairman Dan Edwards said.
Catheryn Whitesell, the city's budget director, said dividing the money is key to accountability. In her 23 years with the city, the budget has been split up 22 times.
"The one year they didn't, they ran a deficit," Whitesell said.
If the school division wants to move money between two categories, such as Pupil Transportation and Instruction, the board has to get approval from the city.
"It's about a six-week process at the quickest," a particular disadvantage at the end of the year, Edwards said.
Transfers happen when items in the budget cost more or less than expected, said schools Chief Financial Officer Farrell Hanzaker. "I can't 100 percent accurately budget every dollar. There are times when we need to move money around."
Whitesell said the City Council would have little control over a budget appropriation that was released as a lump sum.
Edwards said that approach wastes money and is why the board is asking for a change.
"We're legally required not to overspend," whether the money is in five categories or one, he said.
City Manager Jim Spore said through a spokesman that he's working on the budget and hasn't decided what he'll advise the City Council.
The final budget needs to be approved by May 15.
Lauren Roth, (757) 222-5133, lauren.roth@pilotonline.com
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Beach school division needs money!
Beach school division needs money for improvement and should be given it as their wish. Natural resorts is part of nature and are acknowledge On Earth Day, we should take stock of the impacts we have on the environment, which is part of the point of Earth Day. One environment impacting products is one you would never think of ? money. It is a good idea to think of new ways to repair credit with the planet on Earth Day.
To read more: http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/04/22/pay-earth-day/
Beach school division needs money!
Beach school division needs money for improvement and should be given it as their wish. Natural resorts is part of nature and are acknowledge On Earth Day, we should take stock of the impacts we have on the environment, which is part of the point of Earth Day. One environment impacting products is one you would never think of ? money. It is a good idea to think of new ways to repair credit with the planet on Earth Day.
Change the Appropriation Method
Virginia Beach Schools should be appropriated funds in the same manner as other large districts in the area such as Chesapeake and Norfolk. Appropriation by category places unnecessary constraints on the school board and administrative staff. As long as there is transparency in how funds are spent, the taxpayers will have a full accounting at any point in the fiscal year. Eventhough School Boards in Virginia are fiscally dependent upon localities for local funding, they are separate legal entities and in most of the state, Board members are elected officials. Accountability should not be an issue here. The ability to transfer funds when circumstances require action is a school board function. That is what they were elected to do. School District staff are professionals and capable of executing a lump sum appropriation. The current system creates bottlenecks and is inefficient.
lump sum
It's all about the money!. The 1st thing the school board would do is invest the millions so they could draw the interest and at the end of the year if they ran out of money they know the city would have to bail them out! Sound Familiar ??? But if they had money left over they could give themselves Bonus's ??? If the Budget/Finance Officer can't see that he is running short in one account prior to 6 weeks then He is NOT Watching the Accounts very closely!.
The Virginia Beach City
The Virginia Beach City Council does not feel they can trust Dan Edwards and the Virginia Beach School Board. The Council should leave the process alone.