The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Higher retirement payments, the end of federal stimulus aid and a possible 2 percent employee wage increase could saddle the school division with a $20 million gap between revenue and spending next year, the School Board learned Monday.
The division, which has pared its budget by about $50 million in the past two years, faces higher costs on several levels, including:
• Gov. Bob McDonnell's push to fully fund the Virginia Retirement System would impose $10.8 million more in spending by the division, unless some of that expense is passed to employees.
• A 2 percent salary increase would add $4.3 million in spending, but school employees are in their fourth year without a pay raise.
• Employee health insurance costs are likely to go up $1.5 million.
Costs could also be higher for school nurses and textbooks. The governor's proposed budget also does not cover schools' higher costs for noninstructional expenses such as heat and electricity.
The board balanced its recent budgets by eliminating some programs, including laying off several hundred employees.
Board Chairman Kirk Houston said Monday the division will try to increase efficiency while preserving core instructional programs. The board will decide specifically how to do that in budget planning over the next three months.
But the specter of cutbacks rose when Assistant Superintendent for Finance John Maniscalco said programs that are funded above state requirements are under evaluation, including gifted student services, preschool and special education.
Also under scrutiny are specialty programs at individual schools: the Young Scholars program at Ruffner Middle School, the maritime program at Ocean View Elementary, the medical track at Maury High, Granby High's baccalaureate program, Booker T. Washington High's arts theme, the technology and engineering track at Norview High, the academy of international studies and the Madison alternative school.
"I'm not saying any of this is happening, but it's under evaluation," Maniscalco said.
The board will discuss the budget again at its meeting on Jan. 18.
Steven G. Vegh, (757) 446-2417 or steven.vegh@pilotonline.com
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How about a more well rounded article?
Why does this article only talk about Norfolk Public Schools? All the other school districts in the area are also facing the same type of deficits. It would be nice if the Pilot reporters could write an article that explained what each school district in Tidewater is facing. Like.. An article that includes all districts in our area, what kind of deficits each are facing, the possible cuts or solutions each are looking at, and the potential impact to students in each district. Why only focus on one district?
School Board Transparency needed
Residents would benefit from being able to engage NPS better if board meetings were televised such as Norfolk city council meetings. Then, at least parents could see what's going on that result in the actions we here about in the news, and can maybe contribute to a positive solution previously not thought of. Or parents could organize and petition for positive change. Neither can happen, if they are denied access to the issues facing the school board. Does VB, Chesapeake, Hampton and other local govs televise school boards?
TV Coverage
The Chesapeake School Board has TV coverage for all sessions except Executive Sessions. Also they have a long history of being very open with discussions concerning plans and policy. You can view them on Chan.48, Chesapeake. Great school system!
TV Coverage
The Chesapeake School Board has TV coverage for all sessions except Executive Sessions. Also they have a long history of being very open with discussions concerning plans and policy. You can view them on Chan.48, Chesapeake. Great school system!
Heretical idea
Perhaps if the lottery money was used as we were lead to believe it would, instead of for refilling the leaking general fund bucket, and poker parlors were added with the profits going for educational funding, the money for schools might not be quite as tight. But no, we might not be able to educate our children, but by golly they are going to be morally pure in their ignorance!
Stay tuned....
….boys and girls. There's more to come.
Until the producers living in Norfolk wake up and rid themselves of those mismanaging the city the direction will be maintained. I hope, for their sake, they aren't so far in the minority by then the task will be impossible. Every opportunity to fire a council member must be taken.
My Lord,
What is wrong with Norfolk!?!?! Geeezzzz. knowing the kind of money that these city officals make and the power they SEEM to flex, no wonder we are so messed up and folks krindge when they have to move here.
Now just think... these "fancy" bike racks that the city is erecting.... are more important then funding the schools/teachers? I am sure that the funding for those..."things" could go along way w/shrinking the funding issues w/our schools.
They just built a brand new "green" school building
If you spend too much money on hobby projects, you can't turn around and cry about not having enough money to live on for the rest of the year.
$20M shortfall is not the taxpayers problem, it is your problem, and yours alone.
If you have to mop the floors yourself to save some money to get you through the year, that is what you need to do.
When I run out of money I can't go to uncle sam and ask for more (unlike the many I seen in the grocery checkout line on the 1st - to the tune of $199. to pay for a cart full of Little Debbie cakes).
The Gov.'s money comes off the backs of the working class taxpayers, and we simply can't carry your burden any longer.
So, I suggest you dig through your couch, find some change and go buy a mop.
And so did Va. Beach (Great Neck Middle)...
All school districts in the area are looking at ways to save on energy costs when they build/replace schools. Great Neck Middle just opened this month in Va Beach. It's also a green school. http://hamptonroads.com/2012/01/new-year-new-school-some-virginia-beach-students
Norfolk is no different on that point. But I agree about all of the City of Norfolk's pet projects. They find ways to fund those, but can't seem to find money to increase funding for the schools when the state cuts funding. Districts can only cut so much before the students are impacted. At some point the city needs to put students ahead of their pet projects. Norfolk needs to invest in the future of their city. Chronic absenteeism is a good place to start.
What annoys me is how people
What annoys me is how people instead of taking an honest look at a system, will instead elect to spout ideological rhetoric. Any informed person would know that Virginia is a "right to work" state. Unions have little or no power in the commonwealth. So all this union bashing, save it for Fox and Friends.