HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 16 2010 Meeting with Fred Co Public Schools re Budget307
A Joint Work Session of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors and the Frederick
County School Board was held on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, at 5:30 P.M., in the Frederick
County Schools Administrative Offices, 1415 Amherst Street, Winchester, Virginia.
PRESENT
Chairman Richard C. Shickle; Vice Chairman Bill M. Ewing; Charles S. DeHaven, Jr.;
Gary W. Dove; Gene E. Fisher; Christopher E. Collins; and Gary A. Lofton.
OTHERS PRESENT
John R. Riley, Jr., County Administrator; Kris C. Tierney, Assistant County
Administrator; Jay E. Tibbs, Deputy County Administrator; Cheryl B. Shiffler, Finance Director;
Jennifer Place, Budget Analyst; and C. William Orndoff, Jr., Treasurer; School Board members
Dr. John Lamanna, Chairman; Peggy Clark; David Zerull; Melvin S. "Jim" Harmon, Jr.; Jody
Wall; Stuart Wolk; and Benjamin Waterman; Patricia Taylor, Superintendent of Schools; Lisa
Frye, Finance Director, Frederick County Public Schools; Al Orndorff, Superintendent for
Administration; Steve Edwards, Clerk to the School Board; and Peter Vernimb, Superintendent
for Instruction.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairmen Shickle and Lamanna called the work session to order.
Superintendent Patricia Taylor presented the proposed FY 2011 budget, which contained
numbers based on Governor Kaine's December budget. She noted this budget reflected:
- An operating budget at a dollar level comparable to FY 2007 levels, while serving
565 more students;
- Second year of significant reductions to the school division's operating fund;
- A reduction equivalent to over $8,000 per classroom;
- A reduction equivalent to over $500 per student.
She then reviewed the proposed actions to make up the $7.1 million shortfall in the Operating
Fund:
1. Changes to central services to include a reduction in funding for technology equipment
and supplies, elimination of local funding for school buses, eliminate one full -time
substitute bus driver; and performing partial grounds maintenance within the school
division;
2. Changes to elementary programs to include reducing one kindergarten teacher and aide
position, change kindergarten schedule to day one /two concept; and reduce instructional
supplies by 10 %;
3. Changes to middle school programs by reducing instructional supplies;
Minute Book Number 35
Board of Supervisors Joint Work Session with School Board on 02/16/10
"1i
4. Changes to high school programs to include increased class sizes in core academic
programs, reduce art program staffing, reduce career and technical education staffing,
reduce athletic program expenses, reduce in- school assistance program by three full -time
equivalent positions, and reduce instructional supplies by 10 %;
5. Change to employee benefits to include a I% employee contribution toward the Virginia
retirement program and adjust base health funding by changing from a co -pay plan to a
co- pay /deductible plan;
6. Increases in revenue by increasing student parking fees from $40 to $75 per year;
These first round reductions total $4.4 million and eliminate 10 full -time equivalent positions.
Second round reductions include:
7. Changes to Central Services to include an increased unemployment expense due to the
reduction in workforce;
8. Changes to elementary programs to include increased class size, reduced resource staff,
reduced counseling services, and reduced regular education aides;
9. Changes to middle school programs to include increased core class sizes and reduced
electives;
10. Changes to high school programs to include increased class sizes, reduced elective
staffing, reduced guidance counseling services, and elimination of 9 th grade sports;
11. Increase revenue through the implementation of a pay to participate fee of $20 per sport
per athlete for middle school sports and $75 per sport per athlete for high school sports;
and
12. Changes to employee wages through a 1.5% reduction in wages.
She concluded by saying the focus of this budget was on protecting a quality school experience,
minimization of layoffs, and protection of quality public education.
After the presentation, the two boards discussed what message should be sent to
Richmond during these challenging times.
Dr. Lamanna suggested putting together a joint resolution, which addressed the
reductions in basic services the locality was facing.
Chairman Shickle stated he would also like to look at unfunded mandates.
Assistant Superintendent Vernimb stated that every standard of accreditation is costly to
the locality even though State studies say there is zero fiscal impact.
The two boards directed Administrator Riley and Superintendent Taylor to put together a
resolution based on the discussions.
Chairman Shickle expressed his appreciation of the School Board's cooperation as both
bodies try to resolve these budget issues.
There being no further business, the work session was adjourned at 6:30 P.M.
Minute Book Number 35
Board of Supervisors Joint Work Session with School Board on 02/16/10
309
Richard C. Shickle Joh . ,. ile , Jr.
Chairman, Board of Supervisors CIA, Board of Supervisors
Minutes Prepared By: L_Iju__ _
Jay E. T' bs
Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors
Minute Book Number 35
Board of Supervisors Joint Work Session with School Board on 02/16/10