The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
Beach schools have nearly $15 million left over from the 2009-10 budget, and administrators on Tuesday recommended saving most of it.
The plan presented to the School Board would set aside $11.2 million to cover an anticipated $11 million shortfall in the 2011-12 budget. The rest would buy 35 buses, pay for cost overruns on the bus garage replacement, and replace worn-out elementary classroom furniture and the auditorium seats at Green Run High.
The bulk of the savings came from a state-mandated suspension of payments into the state retirement system that was approved after the year began.
The plan needs the approval of the City Council.
"I think this is the right thing for us to do," said Chief Financial Officer Farrell Hanzaker. "There is risk involved because of past experience."
Beach schools are also expecting about $14.4 million from the federal education jobs bill known as "EduJobs" to pay for salaries. This money is intended to come on top of regular education funds, so schools can add or retain positions or give bonuses or raises. Several board members said they'd like to reinstate raises with the money, which must be used by 2012.
The division expects a precise dollar figure from the state Department of Education this week. The money will not be sent to schools but given as reimbursement for qualifying expenses.
Also Tuesday, the board heard good news about SAT scores for the 2010 senior class. Nearly 3,000 students took the college-prep test during high school, or 58 percent of the class, a 4-percentage-point increase over 2009. Their mean scores were also equal to or higher than the previous two classes in all three subject areas: critical reading, math and writing.
While the Beach scores remain below state averages in writing and reading, African American students outperformed the state and national average on all three sections.
Lauren Roth, (757) 222-5133, lauren.roth@pilotonline.com
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Spend it all
The school board should spend every penny of it before the Mayor and Vice-Mayor try to scoop it again. Put the money towards new construction of some of our older schools.
Before you go hating on the council
I would like to point out that according to its own records, the VAB public school systems total student enrollment has steadily declined from 75,459 students in the 2003-2004 school year, to 69,469 students during the 2009-2010 school year. In addition, according to the school systems own records, the "Per Pupil Expenditures for Education (Total)" has steadily risen from $6,156 per pupil in the 1999-2000 school year to $11,499 per pupil in the 2008-2009 school year. You will find that the overall budget of the school system has increased steadily over the last decade, even accounting for inflation, as their enrollment continues to decline. Total expenditures have steadily risen from $420,121,325 in 1998-1999 to $687,100,899 in the 2007-2008 year (61% in 9 years).
What is wrong with this picture? We cannot afford to continue this trend much longer. I understand and appreciate the value of a good education, but I am not convinced "more money" always equals "better". We would be far better served by getting more parents to be involved with their kids education (like helping them with their homework) than we would raising the budget another 61% over the next 9 years as enro
Yeah, I know - those darn pesky facts . . . .
. . . . getting in the way of a liberal agenda......again! :(
The school board should be
The school board should be careful, Will and the gang will find a way to spend it.
I guess they found that money under a rock....
Let's see...where did that money come from? Could it be the fact that they bought new soap dispensers, but never fill them? Or could it be those new paper towel dispensers that in essence are rationing paper towels and are already breaking? Or those new projectors...but wait...the replacement bulbs cost $400 a piece. Could it be the paper that is being rationed? Or the fact that there aren't enough technicians to fix broken down copying machines? Could it be those teachers at the top of the scale who haven't received a raise in 5 years? Or teacher assistant's who barely make a living wage? Or maybe it's those lousy school lunches? Or the reduction in heat to the point kids wear coats during the school day inside the school building?
Replace buses? That no one rides? Of course...no brainer...literally. I pass several elementary schools on the way to work...there are as many parents dropping kids off as are riding the buses. How about replacing windows that are so drafty that it negates any savings on HVAC? Or that water blows through during heavy rainstorms?
Or here's a good one...what about all day kindergarten in EVERY school?? Isn't that what ALL data shows..
Technology ,First....People, Last.....
Couple more places where they "found" this unexpected windfall....those teachers they cut and the class sizes that increased...some kindergarten classes are sitting at 23....and the school's that they re-catorgized as non-Title I...therefore cutting instructional staff.
After re-reading the article...most of the older schools are not wired for all this technology...until the school division either builds new schools (not likely) or totally re-wire's these buildings (again, not likely)...any additional technology will not be fully functional and a waste of money.
VBCPS would rather spend on things than people..."toys" are more impressive and exciting on a website than teacher/pupil ratio's, or quality school lunches, or draft-free windows.
Just today several of us had a conversation that the VBCPs does not think or plan long term...eall decisions are about appearances and lack common sense...typical of a bureaucracy...and the SB is clueless.
Was I dreamin', or were'nt
Was I dreamin', or were'nt they complaining about the city council using $8.8 million of "their" money to balance the budget just a few months ago?
Shhhh
The VBPS should be very, very quiet and find a way to spend it now before city council grabs that money for the $360M they will need for the light rail they have all but formally agreed to purchase.