Things are coming down to the wire on Shenandoah County’s budget process.  I’m sure a few items slipped by, but few escaped reductions –or reductions in requested increases– from the Board of Supervisors.  Most requests were scrutinized closely and unjustified dollars shaved off.

The schools must be special.  Coming in with a requested 10% increase over last year ($55.3 million last year, $60.9 million now) two suggestions to reduce that amount were made.   Both Supervisors said they wanted to keep proposed teacher raises.  One was for a 8.9% increase, and the other a 9.1% increase in the schools’ budget.

Oh! the indignation!  It’s a CUT!  The school lobby went into high gear, cranking out phone calls and emails demanding full funding.  I never knew teachers (apparently) has so much free time to send long emails from school:

“I don’t understand how you can justify deep cuts to a bare-bones budget proposal“  Barebones? 10% is barebones?

“Please don’t cut the funds needed for out raises.” Instructional raises were specifically protected, even four gud spellurs.

“….Dr. Northern DID NOT INCREASE the Education Budget.“  Hmmm.  Somehow it swelled by over $5 million, and I don’t think it was from the tooth fairy (More on that later)

“What are you thinking?  Or are you thinking?  We didn’t ask for an increase in funds.    ….. We provide a free education for children.”  Good heavens. Free? Seriously, where do you think your salary comes from?

” I was shocked“ | “I am appalled” | “….you have no respect for the teachers or administrators and the job that they do” | “Your lack of consideration for the children of this county and their parents is a unbelievable.” | “Then tell me why you want to cut educational funding?  Maybe you are homeschooling?” | “…the budget cuts that are being proposed are outrageous.” | “the schools need more, not less money to operate efficiently“ 

Etcetera, etcetera.  After a while they jumble together; but I’ll note that more than half were polite.

Not a single caller or email had a clue what the budget actually was.  Not a clue. Over five million dollars more than last year, yet less than $2 million for teacher’s pay and new positions. Not a single teacher was aware of the actual figures.

The Supervisors –every single one– support the instructional pay raises and new positions.  They are needed. But every other department in the county has taken cuts to non-critical items, some deep cuts.  The indignation is misplaced.

Saturday, March 25th, 2006 at 6:01 am.
Comments and trackbacks are closed.