School board approves proposed budget
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MELINA DOWNS / Stafford County Sun
Published: March 12, 2008
The proposal includes a $262.4 million operating budget plus $30.5 million in bond debt service for 30 schools and 4,500 employees.
Also included in the budget is a 2.5 percent salary increase totaling $4.7 million for all employees.
Shirley C. Heim Middle School, slated to open in September of this year, is included in the budget, as well.
The board is proposing a $1.9 million start-up fund for nearly 20 new positions, materials and supplies, library books and other expenses.
The school board will go before the Stafford County Board of Supervisors to present its budget March 18 at 1 p.m.
The board of supervisors is required to make a final decision before May 1.
Also at the meeting, Kim Lett, a Hartwood District resident, asked the board to consider not supporting proposed changes to Virginia's special education regulations.
"Instead of just amending the regulations, they were completely revised in Virginia, much to the disappointment of parents across the Commonwealth," said Lett, a parent of a 20-year-old with disabilities who uses the services of Stafford schools. "The proposed revisions to special education regulations eliminate many important rights, protections and procedures- the requested changes to these specific provisions in the proposal would destroy Virginia's parent-school-partnership."
Lett asked the board members to contact Gov. Tim Kaine and express their opposition to the proposed changes.
In other news, Jannette Martin, a member of the Stafford Education Association, questioned the board's decision to have one Stafford County school at full capacity with two to three other schools at less than half capacity.
"I'm afraid it may be a decision that will come back to haunt us. I'm concerned about the overcrowding and lack of programs," Martin said. "The bottom line has to be what is in the best interest of the students of Stafford County."
The Stafford County School Board consists of seven elected members who establish programs and policies for Stafford County Public Schools. The board normally meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, except June, July, August, November and December.
The next meeting is April 8 because of the spring break holiday.
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