School Chairman: We Must Fund Our World-Class Schools

By Ron Peppe

Chairman, Falls Church City School Board

The Falls Church City Council’s vision and strategic plan makes world-class public schools a top priority.  The vision states the Falls Church City Public Schools “is at the heart of our identity as a community.”  It recognizes that “public schools are why the city was established and have always been central to its success,” and it acknowledges “this requires a continuing focus on outstanding staff, up-to-date facilities, innovative leadership and the efficient use of resources.”

Yet, in the 11th hour of this year’s budget process, the Falls Church City Council wants to sacrifice the vision and cut the FY 2010 school budget by $170,000 so that it can reinstate two of the general government positions that the city manager recommended cutting.  More than one council member stated in an open meeting that the schools should “share the pain” in a difficult budget year.  The school board believes it has already demonstrated a good-faith effort to do just that.

Last year, the school board cut eight full time positions from the schools, while all general government employees retained their positions.  This year, the school board returned nearly $375,000 to the city government in an effort to “share the pain” of a projected $800,000 shortfall in state sales tax revenue.  The school board made further cuts by crafting a budget plan for next year that is nearly $400,000 less than the current year’s budget.

The city council will hold a public hearing on the proposed school cuts on Thursday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the chambers at city hall, and I encourage all citizens to voice their support for fully funded schools either in person or through letters and email to the city council.  Our school system’s reputation is the key reason many families choose to live here, why our property values are as high as they are and why many refer to our schools as the “crown jewel of our community.”

If the Falls Church City Council wants to realize our shared vision of world-class schools for the city, it must fully fund the schools for FY 2010. In doing so, it will honor the promise outlined in its own vision statement to “remain committed to providing all children with the tools and skills necessary to achieve personal and professional success in a fast-changing and highly competitive world economy.”  The alternative is too costly to consider.