Minutes 03/28/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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058 March 28, 1995 This budget recommends reducing the amount of local appropriation to our schools by 4%, a cut of less than 1.2% of the school's proposed operating budget. This recommendation is not at all about stepping back from our commitment to education, but is about the resource base needed by the schools to manage its operations. A careful examination of the staffing and enrollment patterns, as well as administrative and non-instructional expenditures over the last several years, supports the necessity and wisdom of this recommendation. While the dollar amount of the funding for the public schools is lower, the impact of this reduction could be absorbed through stresaulining efforts without affecting classroom- related areas of the school systems' budget. My recommendation asks no more of the school system than has been asked of all other city departments. Certainly, I would not propose this course of action for the school system if I did not believe in its efficacy. I have two children in the public schools and their futures are as much on the line as those of other children in Portsmouth. The school administration and the Board must make a focused and deliberate effort to create a smaller, more efficient organization while continuing to provide better pay for teachers and increased resources in the classroom. This will be a painful process requiring commitment and determination, just as it has been for many other governmental and private sector employees who have had to re-engineer their work forces. Nonetheless, I am confident that it can be done, and I offer the willing assistance of my staff. CONCLUSION There can be no doubt that Portsmouth has many challenges at hand. Shakespeare wrote in Romeo and Juliet a line which reads, "All these woes shall serve for sweet discourses in our times to come." The recommendations included in the FY 96 operating budget presented to you today represent the toughest ordeals which, when mastered by well-focused and goal-directed leadership, will provide us with lasting memories of a city that met its challenges." Motion by Mr. Robinett, and seconded by Mr~ Clemons, into Executive Session pursuant to provisions of Section 2.1-344 of the Code of Virginia for the following: to go (1) Discussion of the use of publicly held real property in the downtown and Churchland portions of the City, as permitted under Subsection (A)(3); (2) Discussion of a personnel matter involving the Sheriff's Department, as permitted under SubSection (A) (1); !3) Consultation with l~gal counsel and briefing.by staff pertaining to legal matters 1nv°lying the Regional Ja~l and the development of property in the central portion of the City, as permitted under Subsection (A) (7). The motion was adopted by unanimous vote. Motion by Mr. R0binett, and seconded by Mr. Hawks, pursuant to Section 2.1-344.1 of the Code of Virginia certifying that to the best of the Council member's knowledge during the immediately preceding Executive Session of the City Council: