VB School Board hears proposed cuts

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Under Superintendent Dr. James Merrill's proposed budget, middle school and junior varsity sports, along with many other staples in the Virginia Beach school system, would be no more.

Virginia Beach Public Schools is facing a nearly $40 million deficit. Tuesday night, Merrill presented strategies to make nearly $39.3 million in cuts.

Merrill's reductions include the elimination of the majority of summer school offerings; transportation for academy and advanced academic programs, like Old Donation Center and Kemps Landing Magnet School. All departments across the board would also be hit with a two percent cut. A three-day mandatory furlough would also be put in place for all staff.

"In my 12 years as a superintendent, I have lived through some lean budget times," Merrill said. "I have recommended cuts that were painful and I have delivered bad news that I wished didn't have to cross my lips. However, I have never had to advise a school board and a community, as a whole, that quality public education in their city was in danger. Sadly, that is the message I must deliver now."

Some teaching positions will also be eliminated. Just last week, 640 teachers received letters saying their jobs might be in jeopardy. The letters went out to teachers still in their probationary first, second and third year.

It is not known exactly how many teachers would lose their jobs.

The Virginia Beach School Board will now discuss Merrill's proposal and move forward with one of several options:

• Accept Merrill's recommendation,
• Make adjustments to the proposal while staying within the financial limits set by city council, or
• Asks for more funding from city council

The board is expected to adopt a budget for 2012-2013 on March 6. The budget recommendations will then move to city council for approval.

"The board can't manufacture money," Virginia Beach School Board Chairman Dan Edwards said. "If we can find a way to make it less painful we will, but I'm not very optimistic."

Click here to see the superintendent's presentation.

Click here to read the fiscal year 2012-2013 superintendent's estimate of needs.

Starting in 1999, a state budget amendment sent Virginia lottery proceeds to local public school divisions to be used solely for educational purposes. In 2000, the State Lottery Proceeds Fund was created. The measure, now a permanent part of Virginia's Constitution, directs all Virginia Lottery profits be used solely for educational purposes.

Here is the breakdown of the 2011 Lottery Payments to Hampton Roads School Divisions:

Virginia Beach: $22,499,582

Chesapeake: $15,872,114

Hampton: $12,494,667

Newport News: $21,126,064

Norfolk: $27,347,399

Portsmouth: $12,960,894

Suffolk: $7,637,144

Click here to see the amounts for all Virginia School Divisions.