The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
The numbers will change, but for now Beach schools have $628.5 million to spend for 2010-11, which is 9.5 percent less than this school year. The School Board adopted the initial budget Tuesday night.
The city doesn't yet have final numbers from the state, but administrators expect to employ fewer teachers, have fewer small classes in high schools and increase class sizes in fourth and fifth grade next year. The school division has reduced the impact of the budget cut by maintaining a cash reserve, finding energy savings and cutting non-personnel line items by 3 percent, among other strategies.
Superintendent Jim Merrill said the division shouldn't need to lay off any first-year teachers, reducing its staff instead through attrition. School officials expect the state Department of Education to release budget numbers later this week or early next week.
The school division's building plans were not spared from cuts. While current projects for Kellam High, College Park Elementary and Great Neck Middle will proceed on time, most projects further down the pipeline have been pushed back. Those include Princess Anne High School, Princess Anne Middle School, John B. Dey Elementary, Thoroughgood Elementary and the combined Old Donation Center/Kemps Landing Magnet School. The school division did not put any new money into the six-year, $643 million plan.
The board also discussed fees. It's considering charging $600 for non-residents who take online classes. Behind-the-wheel driver's education would cost $219, up from $100. An administration proposal to increase tuition costs by $700 for the children of employees who live outside the city was opposed by several School Board members. Merrill said he wouldn't oppose extending the price freeze for a third year because lifting it would net the division only $15,000.
Lauren Roth, (757) 222-5133, lauren.roth@pilotonline.com
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Decrease Central Admin Positions...
The Prof Dev Prog (PDP) could be reduced...a savings of the facilitators salaries and in effect cutting the number of jobs needed in Curriculum and Instruction (C&I).
However, the Super is recommending that next year, teacher's 196 days be reduced which will reduce teacher salaries. Whether that will be from PDP or from instruction remains to be seen.(I wonder if he will recommend a furlough for central admin employees? Teacher's are already furloughed...2 1/2 months of the year and during holidays.)
Instead of increasing the class size of 4th and 5th grade, why hasn't the administration proposed decreasing the size of central administration? These jobs do nothing to improve student learning and achievement. And they keep adding jobs at the school level that were suppose to help relieve teachers of paperwork. But there has been no change and the planning time that was suppose to be "saved" it is still being sucked-up by all those C&I people and other required meetings...and more paperwork.
"Cash reserve?"
Exactly what do they mean by a "cash reserve?" A few weeks ago, many teachers were told that they didn't have a job next year. These teachers have been stressing about the idea of losing their job and having to find another one. One teacher was in tears, as I'm sure anyone would be after being told they won't have a job next year. Now all of sudden, VB school board finds a "cash reserve" that I'm sure was there all along and won't have to let go first year teachers. This seems like a sick game that VB schools is playing just to make it look like they are a savior. There is a lot of "cash reserves" in the school system. Why don't they do an investigative report about the summer PDP program forced down the throats of teachers. Teachers have to take bs classes that in some cases get cancelled leaving them to find alternative ways to earn their PD points. THAT is a big waste of money. The classes are pointless. They reduced the number of classes available, making it harder for teachers to meet the requirements. Seriously VP..do an "investigation".
Plenty to Investigate....
They also need to investigate the trips taken by VBCPS Central Administration, selected teachers, and others. Recently several went to a Professional Learning Community conference in Arizona. Who went? Was it necessary for all those people to go? Where did they stay? What was their per diem? How much time did they actually spend at the conference? Do the same people take all the trips? The total cost?
Why hasn't the Pilot investigated the employee survey's that, for the most part, don't see the light of day? How much does it cost and how many hours are spent compiling the results that are not fully shared with employee's and the public?
Why doesn't the Pilot investigate the number of hours teachers actually spend on the job? Or..how about the amount of $$ teacher's spend out of pocket for their classrooms? Why doesn't the Pilot investigate working conditions and report the studies that clearly indicate working conditions are a main cause of teacher turnover?
get the facts right
City is not giving 150K to each strip mall owner. Proposal was 150K total across the city with the owner putting in 2 dollars to get one fm the city. This was a proposal and city council did not vote for it--nor do I think they will.
School Budget Cuts
But we're giving $150K each to strip mall owners? I'm taking names and recording votes. Our city leaders need to seek employment elsewhere. They are not doing the job we hired them to do.
If I said what I feel right now, they'd never let me comment again.
Cut the Diversity Czar
Va Beach public schools has a "diversity Czar" that they pay over $100,000 a year. This position, as well as the whole diversity bureau, needs to be cut as it does nothing to help our children. It is nothing but political correctness.
On target...
It's all about how it looks in black and white, figuratively and literally. In scores, attendance, grades..it only matter what it looks like in black in white on paper and in the classroom. It's all about what teachers are doing to close the achievement gap between black and white males. Each quarter, teachers are told to look specifically at black male students and come up with a plan to "close the achievement gap." As if no other demographic of student matters. Students of all genders and backgrounds are struggling, but they are only interested in what teachers are doing to help the "African American Males." Why focus so much time and effort on the two to four "African American Males" that are in a class, when there are other students that struggle? Oh that's right, someone needs an over-paid job that makes VB look good on paper.
Who and How?
Look at the folks on the board - who actually knows anything about really assessing anything? Where is the leadership? "I'm a really fun person," is the greatest thing offered by the newest member. The member before that, "I have coached soccer and have no real agenda." The question and investigations don't occur because, many of the current members, don't know what questions to ask!!
They have been much more busy than I have seen in years, playing "musical chairs" with appointments, instead of monitorng of the schools.
"Virginia Beach School Board to adopt initial budget"
They've never had a budget before?
Yes...they have a budget
Yes...they have a budget every year. The one presented/adopted tonight may be amended before the final one is eventually approved by council.