NORFOLK -- Schools in Hampton Roads could lose millions in state funding, forcing officials to create larger class sizes and face cutting programs and staff.
Some school leaders want parents to help. "You should write letters to your state legislators opposing the proposed budget change," VBEA president Dominic Melito said.
Governor Bob McDonnell has proposed redirecting $53 million in school money to the Virginia Retirement System. Pension costs are rising as more baby boomers retire.
Virginia Beach Education Association President Dominic Melito says McDonnell also is proposing to give school boards the authority to require current employees to pay the 5% VRS premium, if they give the employees a 3% raise.
"Thus, a 3% raise ends up being a 2% pay cut. That's just awful," Melito states.
Melito says teachers who retire after 30 years get paid half their salary for the rest of their lives.
Melito says good retirement packages attract quality teachers.
"It's one of the reasons people get into public education -- to have a reasonable pension when they retire. If you take that away from them, you will have fewer people going into public education," he adds.
Under the revision, each school division in Hampton Roads would lose money next school year.
Virginia Beach: $7.5 million
Norfolk: $4.5 million
Chesapeake: $5.5 million
Newport News: $2.3 million
Hampton: $2.2 million
Suffolk: $2 million
Portsmouth: $1.9 million
The proposed cuts come at a time when schools have already significantly reduced budgets.
Virginia Beach Schools Chief Financial Officer Farrell Hanzaker says the loss in funding would have a significant impact on the school division operations.
"It could result in potential program cuts and considerable increases to class sizes division-wide (K-12). Additionally, staff cuts would need to be made in response to lost programs and classes," he says.
These cuts are not final. The General Assembly will approve the budget in February.
If you have any thoughts about the proposal, contact your elected representative.
http://www.vbea.org/
