Friday, April 3, 2009

School Budget Outlook Clears

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With last Monday's final straw vote by Loudoun's Board of Supervisors, this year's budget process looks to be all over but the crying. Supervisors must make a final vote on Tuesday but nothing appears likely to change without some last minute public outcry.

Final verdict: LCPS will receive a $26.9M (5%) cut from last year's budget. Keep in mind that we anticipate an additional 2,500 students next year, so the per-student spending drops by more than 5%. Federal stimulus funds will not be used to increase education spending (although some Supervisors contend that without those federal dollars, the LCPS budget would be even lower).

Superintendent Hatrick has forwarded to the School Board his recommendations for how to implement those cuts, and they have not changed from those he published several weeks ago. They are in addition to cuts originally passed by the School Board in our proposed FY10 budget (presentation).

One of the most significant outcomes of the revised budget process is that the Supervisors and the public knew in advance what the potential impact of budget cuts would be. This was not the case in previous years.

While the School Board is free to depart from those recommendations, oddsmakers looking at past history would say that the Superintendent's recommendations are a good bet, possibly with minor modifications.

Below is a listing of all of the approved and proposed budget cuts in one place for your convenience. I have highlighted in blue those that are central office or non-instructional, but that is a subjective definition so you may mentally highlight more or fewer depending on your tastes.

Approved in the School Board's proposed budget:
  • No step increase for employees (automatic raise for another year's seniority/service).
  • No cost of living increase for employees
  • Increase cost of health insurance, deductibles and copayments
  • Cut of paid holidays for classified staff (non-instructional and non-administrative)
  • No 403b matching for employees (similar to 401k matching program)
  • Central Office hiring freeze
  • Cut instructional materials & supplies
  • Eliminate new payroll & attendance software
  • Reduced special education staffing
  • No elementary interactive whiteboards
  • Eliminate full-day kindergarten
  • Reduce ESL teachers & assistants
  • Delay in technology replacement
  • Reduce property & casualty insurance
  • No new security cameras
  • Reduce staff development programs
  • Elimnate payment of Advanced Placement test fees
  • Increase parking fees
  • Institute per-sport participation fee
Proposed by the Superintendent to meet Supervisors' budget:
  • 25% reduction in funding for activity buses and field trips
  • Delay band uniforms for Park View HS and Stone Bridge HS
  • Eliminate Fuel Contingency Fund
  • Increase cost of health care to employees (this includes copay increases and an increase in out-of-network deductibles from $600 to $1,500 for a family. I will oppose this deductible increase).
  • Further reduce in instructional materials
  • Eliminate standardized national testing for 3rd & 8th graders
  • Reduce or Eliminate professional services for construction and land acquisition
  • Reduce part-time salaries & overtime
  • Reduce substitute budget by 20%
  • Reduce purchase of new textbooks
  • Further reduce staff development programs
  • Increase student parking fees: $200 annually
  • Per-sport participation fee of $150
Many other cuts were proposed in case the budget cut was even more drastic. For those of you looking for a silver lining, below is a list of some high-visibility items unlikely to be implemented:
  • Increase class sizes
  • Eliminate existing positions
  • Close four small western Loudoun elementary schools (Middleburg, Lincoln, Hillsboro, Aldie)
  • Eliminate summer school
  • Eliminate assistant athletic directors
  • Reduce guidance counselors
  • Eliminate elementary-level Spanish language instruction (FLES)
  • Eliminate freshman sports and JV lacrosse
  • Reduce Middle School Deans
  • Eliminate Parent Liaisons
  • Reduce elementary Art, Music & PE programs
  • Reduce central office positions
  • Implement unpaid furlough days
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12 comments:

  1. It's disheartening that most cuts are instructional related.
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  2. it's disheartening that i took a pay cut with no step, no COLA, increase in health costs...
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  3. how come the Classified employees are some how less important then the teachers and administrators? The last time I looked I didn't see any teachers or administrators driving the buses, fixing the lights, cleaning the floors, fixing the computers or other NON-INSTRUCTIONAL duties!!!! We wouldn't have a school system without the Classified employees!!! We have a "Teacher Appreciation Week" ...why not a "People that do everything else Week"??
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  4. You two whiners - at least Dr. Hatrick still has his monthly car allowance!
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  5. Everyone I know in private business did not get a raise this year (COLA or performance.) Bonuses got cancelled or reduced and matching 401K eliminated so nearly everyone has had a significant reduction in income. Since the alternatives were more layoffs, private sector employees accepted the situation as better than no job at all.

    I wish our civil servants were more appreciative of the sacrifices taxpayers make to give them high job security. No raises for the parents either but a big increase in taxes and school fees. If there are winners in this time of economic crises it appears to be government workers such as LCPS employees. Your lack of gratitude is revealing.
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  6. Central office positions should have been cut. I've taught for over ten years in LoCo and do not need anyone up there to be a good teacher. Especially not my "supervisor " who doesn't do much but send out weblinks.
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  7. I plea with the board to look at some of the extra office positions and spending. In my 15 years with the county, I've never had any direct communication with any of my supervisors--my curriculum hasn't changed--and I rely on the people in my building to help me help the students. Before we start charging our kids more, I beg the school board to carefully look at tier 5 before passing it. Does Dr. Hatrick need everything he has? We don't get car allowances or meal allowances! We aren't charging business lunches and traveling the world. Now we're going to start charging our kids to be participants in learning activities? What a shame. Please stand up for our children. You all are the only hope.
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  8. As a county employee (a teacher), I feel that I need to apologize for the ignorant statments made on here by anonymous employees. Yes, it is disheartening that most of the cuts are instructional. But, that is the reality. Also, taking a pay cut (when you figure in the rise in health costs, etc) is also a reality. This is true of nearly everyone in the country right now.

    I am thankful to still have a job I love to do. I am thankful for the taxpayers (myself included) who have/are funding the wonderful educational opportunities in our County. The quality of education and infrastructure is quite impressive when compared to other areas around the country.

    The comments from a few teachers who are complaining about their supervisors is indicative of that specific teacher. Teachers can not live in a bubble and wait for the information to be spoon fed to them. They need to take an active role in the leadership process and become involved...as many, many already do. Because your supervisor doesn't contact you directly, does this mean they aren't doing their job? When is the last time that you were involved in the numerous committees for curriculum, textbook adoptions, scope and sequence, etc. My supervisor in Science is an outstanding person who is in direct contact with Science teachers. She has done more to advance Science in the County than most people realize. I am thankful that she is doing her job, which then allows me to do my job more efficiently.

    To the public, once again, the majority of us teachers are appreciative of our jobs. We never entered this field to make money, and that is fine. My compensation(s) are adequate and my effort will still remain high.
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  9. Classified staff includes teaching assistants. We already get NO paid holidays. The only classified staff that gets a few paid holidays are the 11 and 12 month classified employees, which includes the school secretaries and the custodians. I get it -- take away the few benefits the lowest paid employees get. That will save the budget. What an insult to some very hard working, underappreciated, underpaid employees.
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  10. Does the public know that teaching assistants (classified employees) get no paid holidays and only three personal leave days for the entire school year? All of our non-health related appointments must be taken care of in those three days -- meetings with our own children's teachers,our own kids' awards ceremonies, home repairs and emergencies, waiting for the cable guy, etc. -- just three days. Teaching assistants are also the ones who help special ed students by changing diapers, asssiting in the bathroom, feeding kids through tubes,straws and various other methods. HARD WORK but none of the glory or recognition given to the teachers. IF anyone needs a paid holiday, it's the hardest workers.
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  11. Once again, please excuse the occassional whiner (as LI said). These are the people who are giving LCPS employees a bad reputation. Teaching assistants knew the job requirements when they accepted the position, just as teachers do. Yes it is hard work, but so is any job when done correctly. As a teacher, I don't whine about not being paid for the days I don't work in July/August. Also, teachers only have 3 personal leave days a year.

    You have a couple of choices as a teaching assistant. Either you can quit and find a job elsewhere, or you can further your education and become a licensed employee (because that is where the glory and recognition are...sarcasm).
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  12. All of you need to stop bitching at each other and take on Herr Hatrick.

    How about all the money they've wasted going after horrible school sites from connected developers who get well above market price offers?
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