The Fairfax County school system, the Washington area's largest,on Thursday became the latest to propose dramatic spendingreductions, including scaling back programs that have made it anational model for academic excellence.
The 173,500-student system is facing historic revenue shortfalls.Superintendent Jack D. Dale has proposed a $2.3 billion budget thatwould increase class sizes, gut summer school, and eliminatefreshman sports and foreign language instruction for elementarystudents.
Other school systems are in similar straits. Prince George'sCounty school officials are evaluating a plan that would cut nearly500 jobs, require employee furloughs and increase class sizes inmost grades. In Montgomery County, Superintendent Jerry D. Weast haswarned of larger classes and hundreds of slashed positions. And D.C.Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee laid off 266 teachers andsupport staff members in October and has to cut an additional $22million in the coming budget year.
But the potential cuts in Fairfax are unprecedented for thecounty school system, which prides itself on offering exceptionalprograms and cutting-edge practices. Without more money, Dale said,average class sizes -- which range from 21 to 25 students -- would probably grow by more than the one-student-per-class he hasproposed.
Dale also warned that full-day kindergarten would be dramaticallyscaled back, and popular elementary band and strings music programsand foreign language-immersion programs probably would beeliminated.
'What this comes down to, quite frankly, is the quality of lifein Fairfax County,' Dale said during a news conference Thursday.'Quality of life should determine the tax rate, not the other wayaround.'
In a September meeting with the School Board, county supervisorslaid out guidelines for the county's fiscal 2011 budget, whichincluded keeping average tax bills the same and maintaining schoolfunding levels. Supervisors have to juggle a host of competingpriorities this year as commercial and residential real estaterevenue continues to decline and state funding drops.
In addition to proposing steep cuts, the 2011 spending plan, thefirst released by a school system in Northern Virginia, asks countysupervisors for a $58 million increase in funding.
The Fairfax school system's increased spending is tied toenrollment growth and rising costs for retirement benefits,utilities and health insurance. School officials estimate that anadditional $176 million is needed to fully fund existing programs,and some teachers and parents urged Dale to request the full amount.
'To come in at $58 million, I think, was the responsible thing todo, given the economic climate that we're in,' said Board ofSupervisors Chairman Sharon S. Bulova (D), alluding to theanticipated $316 million budget shortfall the county is facing.
Dale's budget anticipates 1,760 additional students. It cutsnearly 600 positions, including about 80 central office staff jobs.He has proposed eliminating winter cheerleading and indoor track, inaddition to all freshman sports. Transportation to academic centersfor gifted students and career academies would be curtailed, andfunding for extended school days and year-round school calendarswould be dropped.
One school, Pimmit Hills Alternative School, would close, and itsstudents would be transferred elsewhere.
Teachers would have larger classes, go without raises for thesecond year in a row, and have fewer opportunities for professionaldevelopment. Dale also plans to cut a program that provides extendedannual contracts so teachers have more time to develop leadershipskills.
To help offset losses, Dale has proposed charging new fees,including $75 for every Advanced Placement and InternationalBaccalaureate test and $100 for every high school sport. A slidingscale would help students from lower-income families participate.
This is the third year that the school system has had to increaseclass sizes and squeeze other savings from its budget. Fairfax addedabout 4,000 students this year as county funding remained flat andstate funding declined. Federal stimulus dollars eased the sting andwill continue to help fund special education and high-povertyschools.
The Fairfax School Board could amend Dale's proposal beforesending a funding request to the county Feb. 4.
School Board member Jane K. Straus (Dranesville) said theproposed cuts would be 'devastating' and she urged Fairfax parentsto argue for more funding. 'I do expect my phone to be ringing,' shesaid. 'We need to work together to maintain the quality of ourschools.'
Several parent groups have formed online to urge county officialsto save programs such as full-day kindergarten, elementary band andstrings, and foreign language instruction for elementary students.
'Most people I know bought their houses in Fairfax County becauseof the schools. Even my neighbors without any children have veryhigh-valued homes because of the school system,' said KristenFennell, co-founder of Concerned Parents of Elementary Students.
Schools account for more than half of the county budget. Lackingadditional state money, supervisors would have to raise taxes ormake deeper cuts to other county services or both to increase schoolfunding, County Executive Anthony H. Griffin said.
'Anyone who tells you that we're not going into this budgetseason thinking we're giving schools the same amount and equalizingthe tax rate is flat-out lying,' said Supervisor Jeff C. McKay (D-Lee).
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