Culpeper County Public Schools growing with two new additions

With 1,063 employees - including 535 teachers and 87 para educators - it easily uses more than half of the county's $144 million existing operating budget. That's if you include the schools' capital improvement plan, debt services and operating budget totaling about $80 million.

In 2007-08, the schools' operating budget alone was $68.9 million.

The CCPS system includes eight schools housing 7,336 students. The average elementary school ratio is 21 students per teacher.

There are five elementary, two middle schools and one high school. However, that's expected to change this fall, when two new schools are expected to open and help alleviate the overcrowding situation at all locations.

Eastern View, the county's $53 million high school near the intersection of Route 666 and U.S. 29, and Yowell, the county's $15 million elementary school on Yowell Drive off of Sperryville Pike, are both under construction.