Prince William County could have “a fundamentally different school system” if a proposal to hold real-estate tax bills at the rate of inflation is approved, a move that could trigger up to $20 million in cuts next school year, School Board Chairman Milt Johns says.
The school board won’t discuss particulars until Feb. 4, but to brace for what Johns calls an “unplanned and dramatic revenue cut,” he’s asking board members to consider discretionary spending cuts to absorb a loss of about $11 million in expected revenue. At the same time, he wants to maintain a planned pay scale “step increase” for teachers, costing about $8 million, and a $1 million plan to reduce class sizes in one grade level.
Johns is asking the board to find savings in three areas: full-day kindergarten programs at non-Title I schools; bus service to middle and high school specialty programs and construction and renovation projects planned to begin in fiscal year 2016.
None are cuts Johns would advise, but they are the few large-ticket items that can be reduced to find significant savings in the division’s budget.
I have a plan. PWC needs to stop going on the cheap. They attempt it again and again. That’s how we get in these pickles to start with. There cannot be a supervisors meeting without Pete Candland piping up and trying to “reform” us. In December, he proposed to disregard the 5 year plan and hold revenue increases to 1.3%. As it stands, the budget guidance is once again going on the cheap.
Pete and his sidekick are only 2 people. Why did three other irresponsible people chose to support cheap again? I don’t like paying taxes either. In a perfect world. I would get really good services for nothing. As it turns out, that isn’t how things work. If I want decent services commensurate with Northern Virginia standards, I am going to have to cough up some money.
Furthermore, Candland and crew etched 2 sacred cows into stone. First responders (without definition or support services) and libraries. Those 2 categories are supposed to get no cuts in budget. Since when are libraries sacrosanct? The police cut originially came from the state. Traditionally, if the state cuts money in an area, that is where the cut goes locally. I have no problem preserving the police numbers (along with the support staff) but I sure think that preserving all funding for libraries is pork. Pure pork. Libraries are nice to have. They aren’t necessities.
Meanwhile, the schools will suffer. They can’t sustain quality services without getting more money. Each year more kids will pour into the schools. That’s just how it works in a bedroom community county. If I were the school board, I would start by cutting out middle school sports. That is an attention-getter. You want to hear people howl? Cut those teams and you will see them running Candland, Lawson and whoever else jumped on the cheapo train right out of town.
Interesting support for libraries while bashing Hylton Performing Arts Center. Clearly there is not a prevailing philosophy just targeting various leaders –
If the schools get a bad reputation there goes the County. Similar group ran us into the ground over immigration. Very short sighted and limited thinking group.
My understanding is that the limited revenue growth impacts the schools harder – wasn’t Candland advocating to increase the split? Only makes it worse for the schools. The pool isn’t sinking the schools the BOCS is.
Yes, Candland was advocating sending over a bigger piece of the pie. However, where is the money coming from? I guess the Wizard of Oz will make that happen.
The pool is just political smoke and mirrors. The BOCS needs to grow a set and stand up to this nonsense and quit trying to out Tea Party each other.
That libraries stunt was a pay off to someone. I thought I knew. I see little difference in the libraries and the Hylton.
There are no convictions just personal attacks. Obvious and tiresome.
I don’t see convictions, just political reindeer games. Its all very obvious, include who all the players are.
Its obvious who the peanut gallery is also.
Politics are what they are. Who knows what the players involved are actually after. However, this is what happens when you write and start to execute a long-term plan, incur debt or longer-term spending obligations and then change your mind. The ability of PWC to hold to their established plans over the years is what has separated PWC from its two cities (certainly Manassas anyway) and made it a go-to destination. Are there costs? you bet but you need to either execute the plan or abandon the plan. Trying to do both results in a sailors split.
Those supervisors or their aids who read this blog should take note of what Andy is saying. His years on the Manassas City Council certainly punctuate his remarks with wisdom.
Context, context, context. It’s easy to take shots at Pete and Jeanine from one side or Frank and Jenkins from the other if one doesn’t take into consideration all of the relevant factors. Andy you should know better despite your voting record. Five year plans are great, unless you happen to be the Soviets in which case they provided a program for fiscal collapse.
Five year plans are just that, plans, plans that are subject to change. Those plans generally change as a reaction to changing economic conditions. If those who are quick to criticize haven’t noticed, there are storm clouds on the horizon as county revenues begin to shrink from economic factors and cuts in funding from the Imperial Clown Show. Personal income in PWC is lagging and PWC has had to pick up additional unfunded mandates over the past few years (Andy, I presume the city council didn’t have a five year plan that included that sudden bill for LODA expenses a couple of years back). In conjunction with those factors one must consider that the county is pushing hard up against its debt service cap (largely because we undertook a locally underwritten road construction program) and will likely exceed it if the current PWCS CIP is maintained. That circumstance would result in higher debt service costs not only as a result of a higher principal but also likely higher interest rates and that does even address the real elephant in the room which is the AAA bond ratings which are about as sturdy as a bowl of jello.
The reasons PWC and PWCS are in the present circumstance comes as a result of both the BOCS and the School Board taking the politically easy way out by agreeing to their revenue sharing agreement. Compare the percentage of revenues directed by the BOCS to the schools to the percentage directed to the schools in places like Loudoun and Fairfax. They have the same non-school requirements but would seem to be able to budget more effectively so as to accommodate both county and school board needs.
Then again, they usually allow VDOT to handle road construction on their own dime and thus have substantially more funds available to pass along to the schools than PWC.
At some point in time the insanity has to stop because it becomes fiscally unsustainable, Pete and Jeanine seem to understand that, the others don’t.
At least they have one fan here. For that, they should be thankful.
I believe that both Fairfax County and Loudoun County get a bigger slice of the pie when speaking of revenue sharing agreements, at least out of the general funds.
Prince William County should not be running in the race to the bottom. It has ALWAYS had the least spent in per-pupil spending. Its teacher salaries have always been in the bottom quartile amongst NOVA systems.
It might be a good time to catch up before the storm hits, if indeed it is going to hit. I question whether it will. Something else always comes along to keep things cranking.
Pete and Jeanine are acting hysterical. Furthermore, if politics has nothing to do with it, why have libraries achieved sainthood?
Time for the budget of the county and the schools be separated into two separate budgets with two revenue streams. We should not have to decide on police officer or teacher, we should not have to decide on fire house or school.
What we should be deciding is what the school budget should be and what increase the schools need and we should be deciding what the county needs and their respective increase as two different topics. Keeping them bundled together no longer (did it ever) make any sense. I am thinking that they have been kept together so that schools needs keeps increasing the county revenue stream because of the faux set in stone revenue split between the county and the schools.
I guess I am not sure how a school board would generate its own revenue. I suppose the people of PWC could vote for a tax levy just for schools.
@Moon-howler
“I believe that both Fairfax County and Loudoun County get a bigger slice of the pie when speaking of revenue sharing agreements, at least out of the general funds.”
Exactly, they get more largely because there is no “agreement” to restrict the transfer.
As to the library funding, I have multiple theories and suspicions, some good some bad and I can make a cogent argument for each, I just don’t know which one actually applies. The skeptical side of me suspects it is part of a larger budget deal to garner support from other Supervisors but only time will tell.
Experts abound. Run for office.
@Lyssa
Been there, done that, got a t-shirt. Pay and benefits suck, you run.
Well then. You know how much they don’t know. And how employees view politicians as “bosses”. They shouldn’t get involved in serious stuff. Just figureheads that likely won local elections based on “R” or “D”. Staff needed degrees, experience and demonstrated ability and experience. They should guide not denigrate and disintegrate.
Lyssa, you left off bullying. That happens locally. Employees are bullied and local officials are bullied.
@Lyssa
Sorry, I don’t have such faith in the “employees” at the Federal, State or local level. Degrees and “experience” don’t necessarily translate to “demonstrated ability and experience”. I have encountered scores of “experienced” staff and bureaucrats all the way up to the SES level who couldn’t pour piss out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel.
As to the role of the elected official, we will have to agree to disagree. In my view some are figureheads while others are not (and some have the same problem with boots and piss). That being said, they do carry the mantle of fiduciary responsibility as at the end of the day the buck generally stops on their desks. I prefer it that way as I am uncomfortable with final decisions and policy being rendered by tenured ministers who would otherwise be accountable to no one. Seems you are much more comfortable with blind bureaucratic arrogance than I am as I am not one to conform to the the theory that the bureaucrats are correct simply because they say they are. BTW, I was a nightmare for some staff and beloved by others.
I’ll say it’s the job of elected officials to hire the right people and then have confidence (trust but verify) in the folks they hire. I don’t think comparing federal staff to local is a fair comparison – federal employee are far more compartmentalized than local. And I’ll put one CPA against an elected local official anyday when it comes to investments and reporting – or one well trained police officer, mechanic, firefighter or programmer. That kind of experience IS necessary.
Believe me, independents that lean toward libertarian views with a solid dash of conservatism don’t support bureaucrats ever. They also are tired of arrogant elected officials. I wouldn’t confuse polite or good manners with beloved 🙂
My question to you and your ilk is – if Peacor is that horrible why don’t your pals fire her. They can. They have the power. This has been going on for five years and no move to do so. Why not? Same for Walts. Why not? Failure to act is a problem.
The entrenched elected officials will not fire them as they provide both grist for their campaign mills in the form of favors and handouts as well as a convenient fall guy to point to when things go bad. In the case of Peacor (and Gerhart before her) they enable the actions that are put in motion behind closed doors. There’s no getting rid of Peacor or Walts without five votes so often the silence is deafening due to the five or more entrenched elected officials who need her to do their dirty work. There is no sense making a motion sure to fail and stirring the pot when the requirements of one elected official depend so much on the support of at least some of the entrenched majority. To most, such battles just aren’t worth fighting regardless the good that may come of it. Personally I don’t subscribe to that school of thought and am willing to tilt at windmills as eventually movement occurs if through nothing other than an erosion of trust.
That being said, times are a changing and I don’t expect either to make it through the calendar year.
As to particular staff, I wouldn’t question a “well trained” officer, etc., unfortunately most of the “well trained” don’t last long in PWC as they go elsewhere for higher pay (a different issue). With the exception of Chris Martino and a few choice others, the preponderance of the County Executive staff is neither “well trained”, “well Qualified” or for that matter terribly bright, unless of course you mean their skills in obfuscation, buck passing and sweeping things under the rug. Having had to deal personally with most of them, I’m very comfortable in that assessment.
That is the reason PWC is viewed as a laughingstock by most other local jurisdictions, we are a clown show that plays second only to the Imperial Clown Show in Richmond.
Then why was Peacor unanimously elected as Chair of the COG Executive committee? My boss is certainly impressed by her skills; Fairfax executives contact her frequently. Or do you consider Fairfax executives and COG as not bright either. I’m pretty sure Walts and Peacor aren’t the reason PWC is laughingstock. I think they get more sympathy from other local executives that you want to believe.
They’ve gotten five votes plenty of time when they try to out Republican each other? I think that’s a cop out and they keep her because a) they know she’s good and as you say takes the public heat or b) they’re scared to death no one will want the job. I’m almost inclined to believe the latter! As you say, PWC has quite the reputation.
PWC is a laughingstock and not because of Peacor and Walts, recommendations to support Hylton Performing Arts it’s because of the two insane blogs, one a certified hate blog, the other with a clear desire to be a kingmaker and I think someone with an axe to grind, immigration and batteling supervisors.
We’ll see who’s here in November. Of course you could have the inside track on retirement plans. Most people make them well in advance.
By they way, regarding the axe to grind I thought that guy on that bloghad some lawsuit involved after the sex offender guy was arrested. And “all will be known”. Yet another simple assault without substance against Peacor?
It’s interesting you cite Chris Martino, he’s the one who developed the reserves wouldn’t call them “fruits of over taxation”. I agree he’s quite talented and was hand picked by Peacor.
Why would anybody in their right mind aspire to be named “Chair of the COG Executive committee”? It is the equivalent of elected officials being name the chair of the NVTA, more “work” for no pay but with the chance to accrue additional opportunities to bloviate.
As to other counties reaching out to her, perhaps they simply want tips on how to get one over on the BOCS or squash insolent supervisors under their shoes (wink, wink).
As to the blogs, you seriously overestimate their influence and reach if you believe they are responsible for PWC being a laughingstock, particularly as that impression predates them both by decades.
Well you must be referring to the diving donkeys! I moved here from the north and would agree that PWC is not very sophisticated. Potomac Mills?
I think being elected as the cog chair is not an aspiration but a vote of respect and confidence. But you can mock it or dismiss it, many don’t.
I wouldn’t underestimate the impact of the hate blog – sure got PWC few negative news articles in the Post and NYT. Not that I expect you would have any regard for those publications – but there are a few folks who do. Pretty wide market too.
So we can just dismiss each other’s thoughts –
I see where Alyson Satterwhite is now catching it on one of the hate blogs. Could this be the same set of minions who publically attacked her several months ago and ranted and raved at her until she was in tears?
The threat is also out there that only uber conservatives can get elected in Gainesville. Do we want to put that to the test? Check out the rumors.
Right now the powers that be in Gainesville might be short lived, especially since they don’t realize that an entire section of the magisterial district is routinely ignored.
Let’s put it this way…Mrs. Satterwhite was at my granddaughter’s graduation. The Gainesville supervisor was no where to be seen. Perhaps he wasn’t allowed off his leash that day.
I left off that Mrs. Satterwhite sees and understands the dire money circumstances in the schools.
Pete still hasn’t gotten over the fact that the BOCS has no control over the school board once they get their money. Good thing.
From Potomac Local:
Pretty important stuff there, Mrs. Satterwhite.
Apparently the nay-sayers in Gainesville want to send students back to walking to school and just using chalk and a blackboard.
I can just hear some old blow-hard right now, telling everyone how things were back when he was in school.
Give me a break. That same old codger will bemoan the test scores. Hint: Technology is a strong part of test scores and has been for over 2 decades.
Listen to Mrs. Satterwhite. Hint to the Wizards of Oz: Stop trying to bully Mrs. Satterwhite.
@Moon-howler
Hey Moon, it’s all over Gainesville that Elena is running for office. true or false?
I heard her speak and she is awesome! Talk about being out there for the little guy. She’s her own boss also.
From RTD:
Concerning VRS:
Even more expenses on school board books. So …..which nitwit will start bellowing and try to cut the cost?
@Boy from the ‘hood
It’s not for me to say.
@Moon-howler
Although the change in accounting rules requires that the liability be listed, it doesn’t change the outlay only the reporting.
I am sure someone will get their boxers in a bunch over it.
@Moon-howler
What if they’re going commando?
Pete hasn’t figured it out in the county and the same crowd has the same problems in the City too. Got plenty of ideas about how the schools should be run, not so much regarding the stuff they are actually responsible for.
@Frequency
It’s always a reflection to their youth. Today’s requirements in a school system are nothing like they were in most people’s youth.
It gets really old.
I tell you, if I were Walts I would start hacking away at middle school programs, starting with sports. Fairfax doesn’t have competitive sports in middle school. We do. Parents just go ballistic when there is a mention of removing these programs. That’s a good starting place.
It will become apparent that there are really very few places to start chopping between what people want and what the state and feds say the people must get.
When I was growing up it (not Virginia) – it was a very similar economy and there were calls for limiting and cutting the school budget (the school budget was separate from the county budget). If a school budget failed a vote (taken in the firehouse on randomly scheduled days with the required notice) we would go to an austerity budget – and they would cut school sports and bussing was limited to state required minimums which were over a mile from schools. You can bet that the same budget was passed the next time it came for a vote.