VIRGINIA BEACH -- Beach school board members rejected budget proposals Tuesday night that would have cut middle school and junior varsity sports as will as transportation for academy programs, according to the Virginian Pilot. Cuts also would have included furloughing all employees for three days next year.
Instead they opted to ask the city for more money.
According to the Pilot, the board kept some smaller cuts the superintendent had recommended to deal with the budget shortfall of $39.3 million like cuts to some teacher training and the division’s ropes course.
But it’s also asking for funds to prevent cuts to field trips, security assistants, and teaching positions, which would raise class sizes by half a student, on average. Members rejected a suggestion to put all high schools on a schedule of semester-long classes, which would save money by eliminating teaching positions.
By saying no to cuts, the board is now asking the city for about $36.3 million more that city officials say they can give schools next year.
State and city budget cuts over the last four years have led to fewer education dollars.
Parents and educators worry cuts could lead to crowded classrooms and possible staff cuts.
