THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 6, 1995 TAG: 9504060333
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH THIEL AND KAREN WEINTRAUB, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
School Superintendent Sidney L. Faucette said Wednesday that the city's proposed budget doesn't include enough money to provide students with a quality education.
The proposed budget of City Manager James K. Spore would give Faucette $6.1 million less than he says he needs to run city schools next year. The proposed budget falls $167.5 million short of what Faucette wants over the next five years to build and renovate schools, buy computers and expand programs.
Faucette cited the school system's lackluster performance in many areas of the state's report card on schools, released two weeks ago, as proof of the need for his improvement programs.
If Beach schools do not get better technology, for example, students will not be able to get into top colleges or land good jobs, he said. City schools are failing to challenge their brightest students, Faucette said.
But E. Dean Block, director of the city's Department of Management and Budget, said the city has earmarked as much money for schools as can be spared in tight times. Next year's budget emphasizes maintenance and consolidation, said Block, who recommended denying most of the new programs Faucette proposed.
``We are already being forced to ask for a tax increase due to the magnitude of the schools' . . . (construction budget),'' Block said. ``If we were to pursue these new projects, it would only add to that tax increase.''
Because the schools are so dependent on city money, conflict is an annual ritual. Nearly half the city's budget goes to the schools; 41 percent of the school district's budget comes from the city.
The School Board approved its budget last month; the City Council is scheduled to approve its operating and capital budgets May 9.
Faucette took potshots Wednesday at Block, the City Council and the politics of the budget process. Next year's budget sends a message that the city doesn't want the schools to improve, Faucette said.
City Council member Barbara M. Henley said later that she was disappointed that the two sides are at loggerheads again.
``It's a shame that before the council has even discussed the budget that we have the gauntlet laid down,'' Henley said.
Faucette made his pitch for more money at a press conference in Kemps Landing Intermediate School, a vacant school building on Kempsville Road and one of the flash points in the budget debate. He wants $1.7 million to renovate the school for a new magnet program for gifted students. The city proposes only $75,000.
City officials and council members have said that they want to provide money for quality education.
The issue, they say, is whether Faucette and the School Board are spending the money wisely.
Block said he recommended denying Faucette's request for the magnet school and another gifted school because the School Board listed them as low priorities.
He also questioned the proposal to purchase a former shopping mall-turned office complex at Virginia Beach Boulevard and Little Neck Road, saying Faucette's justification was not detailed enough.
The school district currently leases the building for office space and a literacy center.
``That's not to say that information is not available, but it was not provided to us,'' Block said.
Faucette said he has clearly explained his plans to use the Celebration Station mall as space for programs for gifted students.
The city's recommendation not to allocate money to renovate the building ``literally guts the future out there in terms of what we had promised our gifted and talented advisory committee.''
Faucette said the city promised to give the school system that space several years ago, when the School Board agreed to give up an old elementary school building near the Municipal Center for a city program for troubled children.
He also blamed politics for the city's proposal to delay asking voters to spend $106 million for computers.
He hinted that City Council members didn't want to run for re-election at the same time they asked for more money from residents.
Block said the referendum should not be on the May ballot because the city's financial future is so uncertain. Gov. George F. Allen may recommend more cuts in state funding for education next year, he said, and it's still unclear whether the city will have enough water to continue growing over the next few years.
City and school officials will face off again April 18, when City Council holds a workshop on the school budget and a 7 p.m. public hearing. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
HOW TO TRACK THE BUDGET
[For a copy of the graphic, see microfilm for this date.]
SCHOOLS UNHAPPY WITH PLAN
An 8.6 percent increase in local funding for schools is
insufficient, says School Superintendent Sidney Faucette. The city's
proposal will fund $6.1 million less than requested for school
programs.
School Superintendent Sidney Faucette says schools are failing to
challenge their brightest students.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET by CNB