February 13, 2002 Work Session
604
A Budget Worksession with the School Board and the Frederick County Board of
Supervisors was held on February 13, 2002, at 5:00 P.M., in the Board of Supervisors' Meeting
Room, County Administration Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia.
PRESENT
Chairman Richard C. Shickle; Vice Chairman W. Harrington Smith, Jr.; Robert M.. Sager;
Margaret B. Douglas; Sidney A. Reyes; Gina A. Forrester; and Lynda 1. Tyler.
SCHOOL BOARD
Chairman Stuart A. Wolk; Vice Chairman Patricia D. Stiles; John J. Lamanna; Richard E.
Howett; Barbara Van Osten; Melanie Mullinax; and Cary W. Smith; Superintendent Dr. William
Dean; Finance Director Lisa Frye.
STAFF
Administrator JohnR. Riley, Jr.; AssistantKris Tierney; Finance Director Cheryl B. Shiffler;
Budget Analyst Jennifer Place; Treasurer C. W. Orndoff, Jr.; Commissioner of Revenue Ellen
Murphy; Deputy Clerk Carol T. Bayliss.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Ritchie Wilkins; Don Butler and Ron Hottle.
Chairman Shickle called the worksession to order.
Vice Chairman Stiles advised Chairman Wolk would be a few minutes late due to his work
schedule; therefore, she would speak to the school board budget being presented to the Board of
Supervisors at this worksession. She further advised that the school board unanimously endorsed
the budget at their meeting held on February 12 as they feel they have cut the budget as far down as
they can, and request favorable consideration of the Board to fund what is being requested.
Chairman Shickle advised this would be a question and answer session only.
Dr. Dean explained that he did not feel a power point presentation was necessary at this
point. He asked if anytime during his presentation anyone had a question to please let him know at
that time.
Director Frye handed out a work paper for School Operating Budget - FY 2003 to those
present.
This work paper showed the 2002 Original Budget for FY 2002 was 78,000,978, with the
following revenue increases:
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Change in state revenues - based on Governor Warner's proposal
Change in federal revenues
Change in miscellaneous revenues
$2,663,046
471,993
163,006
Total available funds for FY2003 without any additional county funding
$3,298,045
Dr. Dean further explained the obligations outlined for FY 2003, and in doing so, advised
that available funds will run out at this point, before salaries are considered. There was also a
breakdown of the Needs Essential to FY 2003 Operation/Enrollment Growth; Needs Specific to
Opening of Millbrook High School and Other Growth Issues for a Total Increase Needed from the
Board of Supervisors in the amount of$4,384,193.
Dr. Dean addressed the area of mandates from the State; however, most of these do not come
with any money from the State, which means this is an additional cost passed on to the localities.
He addressed the area of SOL's and what the average has been for the past three years and what is
involved in trying to stay at this level. He advised ofthe State reduction last year in VSRS of one
million dollars, and that $1 million is needed this year for health cost, and $300,000 is being
mandated for VSRS. According to his figures, more is having to be built in this year's, just to stand
still.
Chairman Shickle addressed the area of the funds slated to come from the county and what
is currently being shown to come from the State, and asked Dr. Dean how he felt about these figures.
Dr. Dean advised that he was not at all comfortable, as he feels it will be cut even more.
Dr. Dean explained that $2.4 million in debt service. This cannot be used for other items,
such as operational cost. He advised of what is being looked at for cost to operate the new Millbrook
High School, somewhere between four and five million. He further advised that in June of 1999 a
plan was started to look at the long term needs of the county for the next five years. At that point
the schools projected that in the year 2003 they would need $85,000,000 to operate the schools.
At this time Dr. Dean asked everyone to turn to their budget notebooks showing the figure
of$78,000,OOO as the original budget, and the $2.6 change in state revenue, which he feels is a very
soft number.
Chairman Shickle asked Dr. Dean when he felt this number would become solid.
Dr. Dean replied sometime in March.
Supervisor Sager asked on line #16 - Instructional staffing - Special Ed. if any of these
positions are for NREP.
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Dr. Dean replied no.
Administrator Riley asked ifthere were any excess health funds, and whether anything has
been done to try and get a more favorable premium.
Dr. Dean replied they will work on this; however, competitive bidding is a huge task for
staff.
Director Frye advised of what is involved in putting this type of information together.
Dr. Dean referred to a recent article in the local newspaper wherein the figures for an across
the board increase of 5-6% for teachers was not stated correctly. The cost to achieve this would be
$2.9 million.
Dr. Dean referred to #14 and staffing for the various schools. He advised that he does not
have any classroom space available given the students that are currently enrolled.
Administrator Riley asked ifthe "wolf' could be kept from the door one more year, and, if
so, the twenty-two staffers asked for in line seventeen would not be done this year.
Dr. Dean explained that there will be 113 new students next year at the high school level, and
he does not feel holding off and redistributing students will help. He further explained that they
could live with it, but this size class is not good. Does not feel this makes good educational sense
Chairman Shickle asked about the current agreement with the Bowman Library.
Director Frye advised of the agreement between the schools and County Parks and
Recreation.
Supervisor Sager inquired about proffers that come to the schools.
Administrator Riley explained.
Committee member Butler asked if any consideration had been given about a third party
doing the grounds work at the school sites.
Dr. Dean replied that he was not aware of any school divisions that do this.
Committee member Butler feels this is an area that should be looked into.
Dr. Dean feels there are those that you might want to keep in house such as ballfields, but
perhaps the others could be looked at. He did advise that he has been very happy with the job that
has been done by the Parks & Recreation Department.
Committee member Butler feels it needs to be looked at from a business management
standpoint. We need to look at what other school localities have done.
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Dr. Dean addressed number 18, and the fact that $250,000 had been cut from this and it is
budgeted at current level for 2003. He addressed the opening of Millbrook High School and the
additional staffing that would be needed.
Administrator Riley addressed the area of $2.5 million in debt service.
Director Frye responded and advised $2.1 or $2.4 will be the county's responsibility.
Administrator Riley stated that at this point the school board is showing $2.1 from the
County.
Director Frye replied that was correct.
Administrator Riley advised that he had not seen a request for buses.
Dr. Dean explained they are already in this budget.
Director Frye advised that the ordering of from 10 to 14 will keep them where they should
be.
Supervisor Sager asked how many buses would be needed for Millbrook.
Director Frye replied three.
The area of un use able equipment and food service was also addressed.
Finance member Wilkins asked about expenses of new schools, and where the county needs
to be (tax rate) with regard to new school buses andtechnology.
Finance Director Frye addressed the area oftechnology and Dr. Dean advised there is never
a year that they do not need ten to twelve new buses.
Finance member Wilkins referred to the $78 million and his desire to know what makes up
this figure. He would like to see a break down of this figure. He also asked for the needs of the
future.
Dr. Dean referred to the budget notebook prepared by the school board where it addresses
the new middle school, and although all the costs are not known at this point, but he feels it will be
somewhere between $3 and $4 million.
Finance member Butler asked about the possibility of a tax increase.
Administrator Riley advised that there are only so many places left that you can look at for
any possible reductions.
Chairman Shickle advised that he does not agree with the figure shown for five years away
as there is no way of knowing the amount that will be coming from the State at that time.
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Supervisor Sager asked about Robinson School site and its future.
Dr. Dean explained this will provide some revenue; however, based on what Administrative
Assistant Al Orndoff said, the work that had to be done first, this could be a while.
Supervisor Forrester asked about "ball park" figures for starting middle school.
Director Frye replied those would be in the budget ofFY05.
The school board does not feel $500,000 will touch what is needed for technology.
Supervisor Sager stated that he feels there are some companies within the community that
would be willing to help in this area.
This concluded the budget worksession and Chairman Shickle thanked everyone for coming.
ADDITIONAL BUDGET WORKSESSION SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 27, 2002,
PRIOR TO REGULAR BOARD MEETING AT 5:00 P,M.
Administrator Riley advised Board members of this schedule.
~-J L~~. [2--c;
Richard C. Shickle
Chairman, Board of Supervisors
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Minutes Prepared By: !.~J....1'~6~'i JL",)
Carol T. Bayliss
Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors
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Board of Supervisors Budget Worksesslon with School Board on 02/13/02