Like school systems everywhere, Fairfax County Public Schools must tighten its $2.2 billion budget for the 2009-10 school year. Superintendent Jack Dale has already told teachers not to expect any pay hikes or cost-of-living increases and theatens to cut more than 1,000 jobs.

The girls gymanstics program has been axed and parents are being warned that class sizes will increase next year due to a $170 million budget shortfall that could balloon to $215 million, Dale warns, if the equally cash-strapped Board of Supervisors doesn’t give him the 3.5 percent increase he asking for. If FCPS doesn’ get the money, more student programs – including indoor track and field, fine arts classes and summer school – will vanish as well.