THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 21, 1996 TAG: 9602210407
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALETA PAYNE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
After months of spending cuts and seemingly endless grim financial predictions, the School Board greeted news on Tuesday that they may be able to avoid the most painful of the potential budget cuts facing them this year.
With a freeze on most purchasing, the elimination of most workshops and some savings from the Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs and other areas, the district may be able to make up as much as $2.4 million, if other revenue predictions hold true. Payments to SECEP, a special education program, are not being cut. The savings come from conservative revenue and expenditure projections. With word last week that City Council may fund up to $2.3 million, the prospect of a worst case scenario of a $4.4 million budget shortfall for this school year faded.
``This is certainly a lot better news than we got a few weeks ago,'' School Board member Joseph D. Taylor said.
Several board members made it clear that the improving financial picture moved them away from the most controversial and potentially damaging cuts presented to them as options by the administration.
``I think this report makes it clear that this board is not moving in the direction of taking a day's pay or cutting spring sports,'' board chairwoman June T. Kernutt said.
The word came late in a long first meeting and an even longer first day for new superintendent Timothy R. Jenney.
``I'm certainly very glad to finally be on the premises,'' Jenney said during a break in the meeting. ``It is obvious I am joining the organization in mid-stride. That's challenging. I enjoy challenges.''
Jenney spent much more time listening than talking, sitting through two public comment periods that covered a range of issues - from the budget situation to snow makeup days.
Donald A. Peccia, associate superintendent for administrative services, made a formal presentation of the first version of next year's budget. The document will likely go through several incarnations before being formally approved by the board and City Council.
The budget calls for $392.4 million in spending, $34 million more than last year. The bulk of the additional money would be pay for positions and programs inadequately funded in previous budgets. Of the new money called for in the recommended operating budget:
$23 million would correct for areas not fully funded before.
$8.2 million would cover a step increase in pay for eligible employees.
$1.4 million for additional personnel to handle enrollment growth.
$1.4 million in new initiatives and expansion including adding 100 students to Kemps Landing Magnet School and expansions of the International Baccalaureate Program and the Math/Science Magnet Program.
The spending plan did not stretch to include more than $60 million in requests from budget managers, Peccia said.
``There was a lot that was not included in this budget,'' he said.
After problems with the past two budgets, this one is sure to get plenty of scrutiny from the board, council and community. The School Board will hold a public hearing and budget workshop beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 29 and will hold another public hearing before its regular meeting on March 5.
The improvement in this year's finances came despite word that the legislature apparently will not reimburse the district for an enrollment error that cost the school system more than $2 million in 1993-94. Peccia said collecting the money had been a long shot.
At their last meeting, board members had decided to request a commitment from the City Council to cover a shortfall for this year of up to $4.4 million with the understanding that all of the money would not be used if the financial picture improved. Along with that request, the board members sent a list of potential cuts to be considered if they did not come up with additional money.
The list went off like a firecracker in the community with angry residents lobbying both council and board members. Council members said at their meeting last week that any money from them would be sent with the condition that spring sports and other programs directly affecting students, not be lost. Board members reinforced that point Tuesday night along with their reassurances to teachers. The board deferred consideration of some of the other options, such as delaying the start of summer school or eliminating part-time help or cafeteria monitors until their March 19 meeting when they should have a better picture on some of the outstanding revenue. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/The Virginian-Pilot
School Board Chairman Timothy R. Jenney, shown with June T. Kernutt,
was something of a good luck charm as the board got good fiscal news
Tuesday - his first day on the job.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET SHORTFALL DEFICIT by CNB