THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 1996 TAG: 9602140540
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN WEINTRAUB, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
City Council members said Tuesday that they won't balance the school system's financial books on the backs of student-athletes.
The school board had warned last week that it might be forced to cut this spring's sports programs if the council declined to cover a projected $4.4 million gap between school revenue and expenses.
Although it took no formal vote, the council made it clear to a room full of high school baseball players that they would not have to sacrifice their season.
The council directed the city manager to find a way to come up with an extra $2.3 million for the school district - more than enough to fund the $360,000 for spring sports and other suggested cuts that would have affected students.
``How in the world can I take a scholarship opportunity away from a 17-year-old first baseman?'' asked council member Harold Heischober, a former minor-league baseball player.
Council members criticized the School Board for even including spring sports on a list of potential cuts.
``Other than bringing every baseball player in the city down here,'' William W. Harrison Jr. said, ``was there any reason for this list?''
The council said it did not plan to fund the full $4.4 million because at least half of that shortfall had been caused by mismanagement of school funds.
The district finished last year with a $12.1 million deficit because of overspending and overestimating revenue. The district has already enacted about $5 million in cuts this year to close a gap that could have topped $10 million, according to associate superintendent Donald A. Peccia.
Several council members said they would be willing to provide an additional $2.3 million to compensate for what they considered a legitimate shortfall due to cutbacks in federal spending and lower than projected sales tax revenues.
``All of the items here that affect the children directly come to $925,000,'' council member Louis R. Jones said. ``If the council were to find $2.3 million, you'd have all of those items funded.''
The council cannot tell the School Board how to spend its money, but said it would specify that the $2.3 million should be used to avoid making cuts that hurt students. MEMO: School board members called before grand jury/A1
Council to partially fund defecit/B1
ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
Harold Heischober
KEYWORDS: BUDGET VIRGINIA BEACH SCHOOL BOARD by CNB