THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 21, 1996 TAG: 9607190009
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 36 lines
It seems odd to be praising a school system for balancing its books, but in the case of Virginia Beach there was cause for rejoicing this week. School Superintendent Timothy R. Jenney proudly reported to the School Board Tuesday that unaudited figures show that the school system finished fiscal year 1995-1996 in the black.
That's especially welcome news after last year's $12.1 million deficit and the forecast earlier this year that more financial problems were on the way due to revenue shortfalls.
But systemwide thriftiness, including across-the-board spending restrictions and the appearance of $4.1 million in last-minute state funds, balanced the books and had school officials crowing.
Jenney, who took office in February, must receive the lion's share of the credit for understanding the finite nature of school budgets - a lesson his predecessor, Sidney L. Faucette, apparently never took to heart.
During Faucette's leadership the school system squandered the public trust and came perilously close to inflicting irreversible damage on one of the finest school systems in Virginia.
It is imperative that school administrators remain vigilant about school spending and keep the books balanced.
It is also incumbent on city budget officials to watch the school budget and increase spending for education next year, provided the superintendent can make a convincing case for more money and school administrators remain meticulous about their bookkeeping.
With the new School Board in place and fiscal responsibility one of its mandates, we hope financial problems, deficit spending and cost overruns will be nothing more than bad memories at the Beach. by CNB