What impact will the Fairfax County Public Schools Referendum have on services?
Fairfax County voters overwhelmingly approved the School Bond Referendum Tuesday. 70 percent of voters were in favor of the bond. But even with a bond ready to help schools that need repairs, other programs are in jeopardy of getting cut. Fairfax County Public Schools have a 176 million dollar gap in next year’s budget. Some of the more predictable changes are likely to occur again this year to deal with the shortfall. This includes increasing class size. Increasing classes by just one student saves the district more than 19 million dollars a year and eliminates 315 staff positions. When the details of possible cuts came out, program supporters started organizing. Petitions are everywhere from securing funding to saving the music and string program in the elementary schools. Technology Specialists who are at risk for lay-offs are trying to get parent support. The possible cuts on the table include a drastic reduction in programs. The district is looking at suspending general education
Fairfax County school officials will announce a list of nearly $380 million in school construction projects today that would help reduce crowding in the growing district and upgrade schools that are old and in disrepair. The list of construction, renovation and repair projects must be approved by the School Board and Board of Supervisors and then must be endorsed by voters in the Nov. 6 election. If it passes, it will be the most expensive school referendum in county history. Despite the cost, school officials said the bond referendum addresses only about one-third of the district’s building Sources: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-431248.
Fairfax County voters overwhelmingly approved the School Bond Referendum Tuesday. 70 percent of voters were in favor of the bond. But even with a bond ready to help schools that need repairs, other programs are in jeopardy of getting cut. Fairfax County Public Schools have a 176 million dollar gap in next year’s budget. Some of the more predictable changes are likely to occur again this year to deal with the shortfall. This includes increasing class size. Increasing classes by just one student saves the district more than 19 million dollars a year and eliminates 315 staff positions. Sources: Examiner.
