Fairfax County supervisors on Friday criticized the School Board for requesting $64 million more than last year, even as revenues plummet beyond already bleak projections.
The Board of Supervisors, which holds the keys to about three of every four dollars spent by the School Board, is facing a shortfall of at least $120 million and likely much more, due mainly to the falling housing market.
Some questioned how the School Board, which faces a similar gap, could propose to broaden its funding request at the same time. The panel voted Thursday night to request $1.65 billion of its $2.3 billion budget from the county.
“I’m very surprised, because they know it’s unrealistic,” said Supervisor Jeff McKay, who represents the Lee District.
Other supervisors also doubted they would be able to pass such a substantial increase amid the county’s overall belt-tightening. Braddock District Supervisor Sharon Bulova, the county’s budget chairwoman, said the School Board knows “that we just can’t fund as large an increase as they’re asking for.”
By expanding the spending plan, the School Board was able to avoid some onerous proposals that had roused the anger of parents, including new fees for Advanced Placement tests and athletics. The plan eliminates 389 positions instead of the 521 proposed by Superintendent Jack Dale.
“I think what we passed represents the needs of our students and our schools and it’s important that we secure the funding to ensure that we can maintain the quality of our school system,” said School Board Chairman Dan Storck.
But the supervisors’ skepticism raises the specter that some of those measures may have to be reconsidered. The board adopts its budget each spring, which includes the portion it transfers to the school system.
Estimates for exactly how much of a shortfall Fairfax County faces vary wildly, though it is generally agreed that revenues will worsen dramatically before they get better.
Fairfax County Executive Anthony Griffin is expected to release updated figures when he presents the county’s proposed fiscal plan Feb. 25.
