Dear Colleagues:

The School Board, at its budget work session last evening, made preliminary decisions that eliminated the $3.89 million deficit in next year’s funding request. While some of these actions are subject to change, the Board will formally adopt a budget for the 2014-15 school year at its April 24th meeting.

The two actions that will have the greatest impact were to reduce the employee compensation increase for next year from two to one percent and to implement a class size increase of .2 students for all grade levels. Collectively, these decisions will generate about $1.7 million in savings.

Also cut from the funding request were most of the restorations and initiatives, as well as a five percent decrease in overall school and department discretionary funding. The Board gave me discretion on how that reduction would occur based upon individual school and departmental needs. Total savings from these actions would be $1.6 million.

Earlier this year, the School Board requested that the Board of Supervisors reassume local government’s responsibility for the Bright Stars/Family Support program, so last evening this program also was removed from the funding request. Finally, the Board increased its estimated revenue next year as the result of lapse factor by $200,000 and agreed to use some of the Board’s reserve to get the funding request into balance.

Among the initiatives that were not reduced were our Western Albemarle Environmental Studies Academy and our World Languages pilot program, elementary. Athletic participation fees did not change.

Typical of the strong views of Board members on education quality and employees, the Board chose the class size option that would have the least negative impact and they declined to eliminate the total compensation increase or to lower it to .5 percent.

Board members will finalize their decisions at the April 24th meeting where they will formally adopt a budget. The Board appreciates the feedback it has received throughout the budget process, from various advisory groups, as well as individual parents and staff members across the division.

Our Board Chair, Ned Gallaway, spoke for all of us when he said during the meeting that the Board believed in the value and necessity of every initiative in the funding request. He called each reduction painful and harmful to the overall quality of education in our schools. He also spoke for everyone when he added that our students and their families are fortunate to be in schools where employees consistently demonstrate such unequaled dedication and skill, especially in difficult times.

You have been, and are, superb. It is not possible that our School Board, our central office staff, our parents, or I could be prouder, more grateful, or deeply inspired by your professionalism.

Pam