Rockbridge County School Board pleases parents,
tosses shortfall back to county supervisors
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 Click to play video. Peter Del Vecchio, a member of the local citizen task force, asks for more time to help resolve budget issues at the Rockbridge County School Board meeting Thursday evening. (The Rockbridge Report/ANNE VESOULIS) |
The Rockbridge County School Board voted Thursday 4-1 to approve its budget with the $276,000 shortfall and send it to the Board of Supervisors.
After an hour-long meeting, which included a public hearing, the school board decided not to close Effinger Elementary.
“The only thing I’ve been really clear on is to make the best choice and the best decision for all the kids of Rockbridge County,” said School Board Member Laurie McRae.
Even though most parents and other community members were thrilled that Effinger was safe, concerns about the future of Rockbridge County Schools went deeper.
Rockbridge County resident John Reinhardt is worried that divided opinions among community members isn’t helping students.
School board member David Hinty cast the sole dissenting vote.
The school board is sending the budget to the Board of Supervisors. From there, it is up to the supervisors to determine how, exactly, to grapple with the $276,000 shortfall.
Rockbridge County School Board's faced these choices: 1. Submit budget with a $276,000 shortfall; Board of Supervisors could choose to fund all or part of the deficit 2. Close Effinger Elementary School; School board would end up with extra $250,000 to put back in the budget Cuts with either option:
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Past school budget coverage
County School Board to cut jobs,
asks Board of Supervisors for support
School budget cuts put fine arts programs in peril
Rockbridge parents look for solutions
to proposed state education cuts
Contact The Rockbridge Report
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540.458.8432
Produced by Washington and Lee Journalism Students
Producer:
Melissa Szumlic
Associate Producer:
Victoria Taylor
Lead Supervisor:
Indira Somani
Editing Supervisor:
Pamela Luecke
Technical Supervisor:
Michael Todd