The Virginia Beach City Council: Invest in Education

The Issue

Dear Member of the Community:

This petition is directed to the City Council of Virginia Beach and the General Assembly of Virginia to prioritize and appropriate the necessary funding towards ensuring the quality of education that currently exists in the city of Virginia Beach. On February 7th, Superintendent Dr. James Merrill announced that the Virginia Beach City Public Schools will experience a 40 million dollar budget shortfall for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The operating budget of the Virginia Beach Public Schools is incumbent on money appropriated by the City Council of Virginia Beach and the state.

The economic climate has forced municipalities nationwide to make some difficult choices. However, in recent years, the City Council of Virginia Beach has consistently taken away from funds that could have been used towards education. Capital investment projects such as the construction of a new animal shelter and the funding for a new recreation center were prioritized over our schools. Council also has done away with a revenue sharing formula that has significantly reduced the operating budget for the school system.

Superintendent Merrill also pointed out in his letter to the school board that the city council used 23.8 million dollars earmarked for the schools to fund other projects and provide raises for city employees not associated with the school system.
Ultimately, over the past three years, the city council has taken back $41 million dollars that was originally budgeted for education. These actions by the Virginia Beach City Council show a disregard for the fundamental principle of providing for the educational system of the city. Truth lies in the action, and by these examples, it seems apparent that a quality education has not been a priority for the city council.

There is no doubt that these are tough economic times. Despite the lack of funding on a national and state level, the Virginia Beach Public Schools has diligently followed a strict self-imposed budget. Within the past few years, VB Schools has aggressively cut spending in anticipation of budgetary shortfalls. Through these measures, it was able to shield itself from budgetary shortages and maintain a level of excellence for a school district its size. It is apparent that VB Schools has been proactive in its efforts to preserve the quality of our schools.

It is time for the City Council of Virginia Beach to be held accountable. It is time for the city council to make amends for wagering the learning experience of our children. The time is now for the city council and state lawmakers to make education, once again, a priority. Teachers and staff are dedicated to the students and students are eager to learn. Our elected officials would agree with that statement. Unfortunately, their choices reflect differently.

Please sign this petition. Let’s make clear to the City Council of Virginia Beach and the General Assembly of Virginia that the citizens of Virginia Beach strongly encourage they find the necessary funding to ensure the continued excellence of the city’s school system.

Let’s all stand together on this one; the future of our city depends on it.

avatar of the starter
Raymond ObispoPetition Starter
Media inquiries
This petition had 1,801 supporters

The Issue

Dear Member of the Community:

This petition is directed to the City Council of Virginia Beach and the General Assembly of Virginia to prioritize and appropriate the necessary funding towards ensuring the quality of education that currently exists in the city of Virginia Beach. On February 7th, Superintendent Dr. James Merrill announced that the Virginia Beach City Public Schools will experience a 40 million dollar budget shortfall for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The operating budget of the Virginia Beach Public Schools is incumbent on money appropriated by the City Council of Virginia Beach and the state.

The economic climate has forced municipalities nationwide to make some difficult choices. However, in recent years, the City Council of Virginia Beach has consistently taken away from funds that could have been used towards education. Capital investment projects such as the construction of a new animal shelter and the funding for a new recreation center were prioritized over our schools. Council also has done away with a revenue sharing formula that has significantly reduced the operating budget for the school system.

Superintendent Merrill also pointed out in his letter to the school board that the city council used 23.8 million dollars earmarked for the schools to fund other projects and provide raises for city employees not associated with the school system.
Ultimately, over the past three years, the city council has taken back $41 million dollars that was originally budgeted for education. These actions by the Virginia Beach City Council show a disregard for the fundamental principle of providing for the educational system of the city. Truth lies in the action, and by these examples, it seems apparent that a quality education has not been a priority for the city council.

There is no doubt that these are tough economic times. Despite the lack of funding on a national and state level, the Virginia Beach Public Schools has diligently followed a strict self-imposed budget. Within the past few years, VB Schools has aggressively cut spending in anticipation of budgetary shortfalls. Through these measures, it was able to shield itself from budgetary shortages and maintain a level of excellence for a school district its size. It is apparent that VB Schools has been proactive in its efforts to preserve the quality of our schools.

It is time for the City Council of Virginia Beach to be held accountable. It is time for the city council to make amends for wagering the learning experience of our children. The time is now for the city council and state lawmakers to make education, once again, a priority. Teachers and staff are dedicated to the students and students are eager to learn. Our elected officials would agree with that statement. Unfortunately, their choices reflect differently.

Please sign this petition. Let’s make clear to the City Council of Virginia Beach and the General Assembly of Virginia that the citizens of Virginia Beach strongly encourage they find the necessary funding to ensure the continued excellence of the city’s school system.

Let’s all stand together on this one; the future of our city depends on it.

avatar of the starter
Raymond ObispoPetition Starter
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

Mayor William D. Sessoms, Jr
Mayor William D. Sessoms, Jr
Mayor of Virginia Beach
Responded
“Thank you for signing the petition sharing your views and concerns regarding the proposed budget for Virginia Beach Schools. Let me start by assuring you we are committed to maintaining a quality school system in our City. We understand completely the impact an excellent education has on our children and our future, and our Schools continue to be one of our highest priorities. The School Board requested $853 million for fiscal year 2012, and City Council approved that entire amount, in addition to setting aside funds requested for capital projects including rebuilding or replacing Old Donation Center/Kemps Landing Magnet School, John B. Dey Elementary School, Princess Anne Middle School and Kellam High School. Funds are also there for the bonuses and pay increases requested by the School Board for its employees. Early in last year’s budget process, the School Board chairman agreed to give up $14.5 million from the Schools’ risk management reserve fund (with another $5.5 million retained by Schools). The chairman agreed, in writing, that this “will have no impact on classroom instruction or the day-to-day operations of the schools.” In return, the City agreed to assume “catastrophic liability” for the Schools, which is to insure them against big losses. Later in the budget process, City Council used an additional $9.2 million, in part to eliminate the need for an increase in the real estate tax rate. Yes, it was necessary to take money from City and School reserve funds to balance this year’s budget. It didn’t make sense to keep money in large School reserve funds while struggling to fund City services and keep from raising the real estate tax rate. Our citizens need and deserve an excellent School system, however, they also need and deserve excellent police/fire protection, libraries, roadways, recreation programs (including before and after school care for children), maintenance of City property, mental health/social services, etc. We used all available revenues to provide our citizens with a budget that did not raise their real estate tax rate and continued to provide necessary services and plan for the future. City Council funded the new Animal Care and Adoption Center because it was desperately needed. The old animal shelter was dilapidated and unsafe. The City faced fines of $1,000 a day from the State if it did not repair or replace the shelter. This was not optional. The Williams Farm Recreation Center is being built in western Bayside – a part of the City with a large concentration of low-income families that have been historically under-served by city services. This recreation center was a high priority for many years. It will serve thousands of children, including many children who use the City’s before and after school services in the recreation centers. In addition to an excellent education, we need to provide facilities that will keep our children focused and engaged in healthy activities. Before the Schools began preparing their proposed budget this year, they asked City Council for a target figure of how much money they would receive. They used that figure to identify their priorities and ultimately develop their list of possible reductions. Originally, they were given a target of $353.8 million. Since that time, we added another $2.2 million, which brought the total to $356 million. The $2.2 million reflected the amount derived by using the Real Estate Assessor’s revised assessment number. The target figure was only an estimate to be used as a guide. Many things can change between now and when the final budget is adopted on May 8, 2012, by City Council that can affect how much money will be available for both the City and Schools. We are very early in the budget process. The City Manager will be presenting the City’s budget to Council on March 27, 2012. At that point, we will begin budget workshops and hold public hearings in order to hear from our citizens. By having both the City and Schools budgets to review, citizens can look at the overall needs and determine where they would like to see their tax dollars spent. City Council does not have the authority to direct how funding provided to the elected School Board will be allocated. We do decide how much local funding they will receive, but they make the decisions regarding what that money will be used for. Therefore, it is important that you let the School Board know which of the programs they have stated will be eliminated or modified should be addressed if additional funding is provided during the budget process. We must make a responsible assessment of the needs of our community based on available funding. We ask that you continue to let us know how you feel regarding the entire budget. We know there is a great deal of information to review, and we will do our best to make sure you receive all of the facts as quickly as possible. We will have information posted at vbgov.com that will include frequently asked questions and the proposed budget itself to assist you. If there are questions we have not covered, please let us know so we can make sure they are addressed. Your assistance and input are invaluable in the budget process. Your commitment to our students is greatly appreciated, and we share that commitment. I know we all want what is best for our children. Working together through this process, I believe we can develop the best possible overall budget for Virginia Beach. We strongly believe our School System is among the best in the Nation, and we promise we will continue to strive to provide the resources needed to keep it that way. ”
Bill DeSteph
Bill DeSteph
City Council
Responded
“I want to thank you for taking your valuable time to write us with your concerns. Let me start by assuring you that we are committed to maintaining a quality school system in our City. We understand completely the impact an excellent education has on our children and our future. Our Schools continue to be one of our highest priorities. We are very early in the budget process. The Superintendent of schools provided his Budget to the School Board last week. Now it is up to the School Board to go through and determine requirements and how they want to balance their wants and needs. Please feel free to contact them as I have also included them in my reply to you. Likewise, the City Manager will be presenting the City’s budget to Council on March 27, 2012. At that point, City Council will take over the budget and determine how to balance the City’s wants with their needs. We will begin budget workshops and hold public hearings in order to hear from our citizens. By having both the City and Schools budgets to review, citizens can look at the overall needs and determine where they would like to see their tax dollars spent. Before the Schools began preparing their proposed budget, they asked City Council for a target figure of how much money they would receive. They used that figure to identify their priorities and ultimately develop their list of possible reductions. Originally, they were given a target of $353.8 million. Since that time, we added another $2.2 million, which brought the total to $356 million. The $2.2 million reflected the amount derived by using the Real Estate Assessor’s revised assessment number. The target figure was only an estimate to be used as a guide. Many things can change between now and when the final budget is adopted on May 8, 2012 by City Council. This may affect how much money will be available for both the City and the Schools. City Council does not have the authority to direct how funding provided to the elected School Board will be allocated. We do decide how much they will receive, but they make the decisions regarding what that money will be used for. Therefore, it is important that you let the School Board know while they are in their budget review workshops, which of the programs they have stated will be eliminated or modified. These should be addressed with what your specific wants and needs might be. Our citizens need and deserve an excellent School system, as well as excellent police/fire protection, libraries, roadways, recreation programs (including before and after school care for children), maintenance of City property, mental health/social services, early childhood programs, etc. City Council, with the input from our citizens, will be working diligently in the next few months to find a balance that meets as many of these needs as possible. It is our responsibility to make a responsible assessment of the needs of our community based on available funding. We ask that you continue to let us know how you feel regarding the entire budget. We know there is a great deal of information to review, and we will do our best to make sure you receive all of the facts as quickly as possible. We will have information posted at vbgov.com that will include frequently asked questions and the proposed budget itself to assist you. If there are questions we have not covered, please let us know so we can make sure they are addressed. Your assistance and input are invaluable in the budget process. We have worked hard to ensure we have the best School System as well as the best City in the Nation. Please continue to provide your input to us. Warmest regards, Bill DeSteph ”
Robert Tata
Robert Tata
Delegate
Harry Purkey
Harry Purkey
Delegate
Frank W. Wagner
Frank W. Wagner
Senator

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Petition created on February 15, 2012