School superintendents from across the state met with lawmakers in Richmond last week, offering cuts they are considering to help balance state and local budgets. More than 90 superintendents that responded to a survey said they are considering layoffs. Almost 90 percent said a higher student-to-teacher ratio was also a possibility.
Roanoke County superintendent Lorraine Lange was among those who met with lawmakers at the General Assembly to express concerns about budget cuts. “Everybody realizes this is a really bad year. Everything is on the table,” said Lange. “It just depends on how [large] each school division’s budget deficits are. Teacher raises could be another casualty” said Lange.
Lange said Roanoke County school administrators have been “honest” with employees and with the community about what could happen in the next budget year. “Keeping the integrity of the classroom intact is a major goal” said Lange, who will present ideas for budget cuts at the January 28 school board meeting.
Since the school system is funded by Roanoke County, Lange said her division is “in limbo,” because the county hasn’t settled on where all of its cuts will come from. She also said the 2011-2012 school year could “even be worse,” than the upcoming 2010-2011 budget year.
“It’s a dismal time for education,” noted Lange. “There’s no doubt about it. Every year it’s going to get harder and harder.” Lange will have a better handle on Roanoke County personnel levels once retirement notices are handed in by the end of January.
“We’ve tried to build our programs,” said Lange, “[and] right now we’re just taking them apart little by little. More kids in each classroom will also mean less of the individual attention many need,” said Lange, a former teacher and principal who rose through the ranks. “Children will be left behind.”
Lange is optimistic that she has the personnel in place to survive budget cuts and the slower economy that has meant less tax revenue, “but it’s going to be hard.”
Meetings on redistricting in SW Roanoke County: The School Board meeting on January 28 will also involve a presentation of realigning school attendance zones in southwest Roanoke County. Maps and a timeline will be discussed, but no changes will take place until after the next school year.
There will also be public meetings on March 2 at Hidden Valley High School, and at Cave Spring High School on March 8 (both at 8 p.m.). Hidden Valley has been at capacity or near capacity since opening eight years ago while Cave Spring may have room for more students.
Hidden Valley principal Rhonda Stegall said a plan might be discussed to allow 9th -12th graders now at the school to remain there until graduation, if “they provide their own transportation.”
By Gene Marrano [email protected]
