http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/16/AR2009101602613.html
Fairfax County Schools Facing Budget Shortfall, Drastic Cuts
This article talks about the projected $176 million budget shortfall next year in a system very close to home, the Farifax County School system. Even though Fairfax County is Virginia's largest school system, it gets much, much less of the budget allocated from Richmond than other school systems such as Prince William County and other areas in need. However, next year it seems that Fairfax County is going to be in need as well. A $176 million budget shortfall is too much money to even think about making up and continuing with the school year as if nothing has changed. As the article stated, for example, even if Fairfax County removed all foreign language instruction from all elementary schools, only $2 million would be saved. Removing full-day kindergarten from 67 schools would only save $13 million. Even if all the plans for saving were approved, Fairfax County would not even come close to filling in the $176 million gap. Clearly, all the cutting back on programs is really going to negatively impact Fairfax County. Not much else but cutting programs can be done to help the budget until the economy improves. I know last year when the high school swim program was considering being cut to help for the budget this year, I would not have minded paying an extra fee to still be a part of the team. However, students cannot pay for everything, and some things will have to be cut. Some people may protest all the cutting of staff and prgrams, but if there is no money, there is really no choice. Next year is going to be a harsh year. Oh well, at least it is my last year in FCPS. But as for my brother and sister...
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Oh no, next year is going to be a hard year for Fairfax County Public Schools if there is a shortfall of money! I thought things were bad enough with teachers being cut from jobs and many programs being discontinued but the quality of schooling will be affect far more next year than ever before with money shortage, I really hope the ecomony gets better because right now it is negatively impacting public services.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that if the money runs out there isn’t much choice but to cut back programs from school. I think that it is horrible that one of the richest counties in America can’t afford school programs. I know that we are in an economic downturn, but surely some of our state tax dollars can help Fairfax County’s budget deficits. Even though I am graduating this year, I would still like to see other children have the same opportunities as what I had in high school.
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