FY2010 Budget Update

Dear colleagues,
Earlier this week, Gov. Tim Kaine released his proposal to balance Virginia’s operating budget for FY2010. According to his report, there is a statewide $3 billion deficit that elected officials must work to close in Virginia’s two-year, $77billion budget. The Governor shared with members of the General Assembly’s finance committees that he is proposing to cut more than $400 million in funding for the state’s public schools.

Our budget staff has spent the past two days reviewing the initial documents from the state. Early indications suggest an even deeper cut in state funding than was expected. Because of these state cuts, we expect that our overall funding gap now has increased to $52 million. As the Governor, General Assembly and locally elected officials continue to work, this funding gap could widen.

As I shared with you previously, cuts this large mean the entire school division will be affected. The Governor’s cuts mean that we definitely will be forced to increase pupil-teacher ratios, reduce support staff and services, and reduce administrative positions and other costs. The budget advisory committee and staff continue to study specific options. No final decisions have been made, but the impacts will be wide-reaching.

This information remains painful for me to share, especially right before the holidays. However, I am committed to keeping you informed so that you can help us educate the community about the realities that are ahead. We will continue to communicate as additional information is received and decisions are made.