Wednesday February 1, 2012
Chairman Johns, Dr. Walts, members of the Prince William County School Board my name is Jim Livingston my address is on file with the clerk. Tonight I’m speaking on behalf of the members of the Prince William Education Association.
In a few moments Dr. Walts will unveil his budget proposal for the upcoming year. A proposal based in large part on projections given at the last school board meeting by Director of Finance John Wallingford. In his presentation Mr. Wallingford indicated the governor’s proposed state budget includes an approximate $11 million reduction in “Cost-of-Competing Funds” to Prince William County Schools. In addition, his report indicated a Tax Rate proposal from the Prince William Board of County Supervisors under which the school division could lose as much as $1 million dollars in local funds. Both are revenue reductions despite the fact the school division expects to enroll an additional 2800 students next year.
The Washington Area Boards of Education report reflects a continued rise in class sizes in Prince William County, class sizes which are in fact the highest in the Commonwealth. The report goes on to say Prince William County spends less per pupil than any other school division in northern Virginia, a statistic which you called at a previous school board meeting, Mrs. Covington, “embarrassing.”
Once again Dr. Walts and his staff are being asked to do the near impossible task of presenting a balanced budget proposal in the face of rising enrollment and decreasing revenues.
I spoke to you last year on this very issue. With uncertain revenue projections again, it is time to re-examine the benefit versus the cost of the “Revenue Sharing Agreement” with the Board of County Supervisors. While no reasonable person could expect the county to make up the loss of state funding, it is my contention that as long as local tax rates fluctuate the “Revenue Sharing Agreement” does not provide the flexibility necessary to address concerns of a growing school division. Any budget request should reflect what is necessary to remain a world class school division and should not be based on an arbitrarily set tax rate.
Members of The Prince William Education Association have already begun working with elected officials at trying to minimize the negative impact of possible revenue reductions.
Mrs. Covington, thank you for saying out loud what we have been saying for years. It is “embarrassing” that this county spends less on its children than any other in the region.
Dr. Walts we await your presentation and are confident you will do your best for the students and staff of Prince William County Public Schools.
Presented by: Jim Livingston, Parkside MS
PWEA Meet and Confer Chair
PWEA Board of Directors