Buena Vista school budget planners
await word on stimulus money
For those hoping for closure in Buena Vista schools’ drawn-out budget battle, last week’s update probably didn’t help.
The 40-minute presentation Feb. 26 at Parry McCluer Middle School brought out 70 teachers and concerned citizens anticipating an end to the two-month financial saga. The superintendent’s report , which had been expected to contain a final budget proposal – last in a long series of budget revisions – failed to deliver, instead offering more possible scenarios based on new numbers from the state budget.
Superintendent Rebecca Gates did not discuss any of the implications for pay cuts, layoffs or other expenditures to make up for the estimated more than $1 million deficit in the Buena Vista school system’s finances.
The state is expected to cut an estimated $523,000 in funding for the district’s school budget, and with reduced federal and local funding as well, the school system’s deficit for next year is expected to surpass $1 million.
Last year’s operating budget was about $11.5 million.
“I just wish we knew what was going on by now; it’s almost March,” said Stephanie Clark, one of the dozens of teachers unsure of their job security for next year.
School board chair Jim Hudson said that no firm final budget numbers could be put in place until after Gov. Tim Kaine ratifies the state budget, which is expected to take place in the next week. The state Senate voted on the budget over the weekend; the House of Delegates concluded budget deliberations in mid-February.
Buena Vista schools began preparing for the major budget cuts in January by implementing a series of new policies aimed at trimming operating costs. The city laid off five staff members, capped the number of accumulated sick days a retiring teacher can receive compensation for, and will now start charging for summer school, physical education and driver education classes.
During the presentation, Gates listed possible deficit ranges for the coming year, depending on state budget allocations and federal economic stimulus money from the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Gates’s office applied for two stimulus grants totaling more than $800,000. In addition to paying for “general expenses,” Gates hopes to use the stimulus money to fund long-term costs so that more money is available from other areas of the budget to pay teachers’ salaries.
But Gates will not know if her requests will be granted for at least three more months. Meanwhile, a final budget must be ratified by the city council by April 1.
“I know it’s difficult for everyone because this process is usually done by now,” said Hudson. “But times are uncertain and we can’t be too careful. Every item must remain on the table.”
Following the presentation, Gates opened the floor for comments, but few attendees voiced more than minor concerns.
“Right now this all seems like a bunch of hot air, because we know and they know it’s just the calm before the storm,” said third grade teacher Paula Charlton after the meeting. “We’ve been saying this for a while now, but next week could be rough.”
Caren Oliveras, a state employee who provides resource information to the region’s school systems, also spoke at the meeting. Oliveras said that she sympathized with disappointed teachers awaiting answers on how the school board will make up for the anticipated deficit.
“I go to school board meetings six nights a week,” said Oliveras. “It may not be terribly comforting, but at least I can assure you all that you all aren’t going through this alone.”
In addition to the changes already being implemented, teacher layoffs or furloughs may be considered. When asked about further personnel cuts, Gates said she could not yet comment.
“They’re telling us to be careful right now with personnel numbers,” she said in her address to the crowd. “The stimulus money is only here for two years, and we can’t count on that to pay anyone’s salary.”
She said she hopes that the money can be used elsewhere to free up other funds for jobs, but major expenses must still be cut to make up for the expected loss in state funding.
“It’s certainly not over,” said Charlton, “not even by a long shot.”
Produced by
Washington and Lee
journalism students.
Lead Supervisors:
Prof. Brian
Richardson
Prof. Indira Somani
Editing supervisor:
Prof. Doug
Cumming
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd