School Board to talk budget

The Culpeper County School Board will combine two meetings into one tonight, giving the public another chance to comment on the possibility of the school division losing 79 positions due to the $3.5 million shortfall in next year’s operating budget.

CCPS runs on a $72.6 million budget for fiscal year 2010; however, school officials are looking to trim that figure down to $69.1 million for fiscal year 2011.

Facing this daunting task, school officials want to hear from the public before adopting next year’s operating budget in March.

The shortfall stems from ongoing cuts in local and state funding based on sliding sales and property taxes.

Last month, Superintendent Bobbi Johnson presented her proposed recommendations to deal with the dismal financial situation.

She recommended cutting 13 teaching positions, 35 paraeducators, two administrators, varsity assistant coaches, 13 permanent substitute positions and eliminating middle school sports — just to name a few suggestions. To help make up the shortfall, Johnson also expects a 2-percent hike in Virginia Retirement System’s contributions and an 8-percent increase in health insurance for employees.

According to CCPS staff calculations, eliminating 13 teaching positions could save $611,000; middle school sports, $78,671 and paraeducators $678,799.

The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors, the governing body that appropriates county funding, recently announced a $4.8 million shortfall in its budget.

On Saturday, about 40 teachers, parents and coaches filled a conference room at central office to offer suggestions to board members on how to trim the budget.

Tonight’s work session will begin at 6 p.m. where board members will discuss the budget and that meeting will be followed by a brief closed session at 6:45 p.m. inside the county administration building, 302 N. Main St.

The public hearing/regular meeting is scheduled to start around 7 p.m. At that time, the community will get a chance to submit comments on how to handle the budget situation.

Due to last week’s inclement weather, the board decided to reschedule the Feb. 8 public hearing/regular meeting to tonight’s work session.

In other news
The board will also vote on the 2010-11 school calendar during a first reading. The CCPS Calendar Committee created two options for the school board to consider.

Option A has Aug. 18 as the first day of school with 10-month employees beginning on Aug. 10.

This option also schedules Eastern View’s graduation on June 3 and Culpeper High on June 4.

Option B has the first day of school as Aug. 25 with 10-month employees starting Aug. 17.

Both options offer 180 days of school, as required by law.

The board will also vote on rescheduling a work session in March.

Meeting tonight
Culpeper County School Board work session will begin tonight at 6 p.m.; a closed session will follow at 6:45 p.m. and the regular meeting featuring a public hearing at 7 p.m. inside the county administration building, 302 N. Main St.

School Board FY2011 budget schedule
Budget work session/public hearing, tonight at 6 p.m., county administration building.

Budget work session, Feb. 22, 6 p.m., central office

Budget approval, March 8; county administration office