Minutes 03/25/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 25, 2019 As City Manager J. P. Jervey noted in 1920, “the income of the City is small as compared with its population and the utmost economy will be necessary in order to live within that income.” With this proposed budget, I am recommending to City Council the establishment of a School Formula Committee, to convene immediately after budget adoption, with representatives of both bodies to review the Schools’ current funding level, existing funding models used in Virginia, and develop a proposed school funding formula for both bodies to consider for the FY 2021 Budget. Given the significant investment we make annually in our Schools regardless of the continuing decline in student population, I am recommending in this budget that we hit the pause button freezing the annual contribution at fifty-two million, seven hundred and ninety-six thousand, and forty-five dollars ($52,796,045) until such time as we can develop a data-driven formula for the allocation of tax resources to support our City and Schools needs. As my predecessor 100 years ago stated, this goal can only be obtained by mutual concessions and good faith. I want all citizens of Portsmouth to know thataccording to the Code of Virginia §22.1-89 Management of funds, “each school board shall manage and control the funds made available to the school board for public schools and may incur costs and expenses.” The Code of Virginia § 22.1-94. Appropriations by county, city or town governing body for public schools, states “the amount appropriated by the governing body for public schools shall relate to its total only or to such major classifications prescribed by the Board of Education pursuant to § 22.1-115.” On May 8, 2018, City Council set as its policy to approve non-categorial appropriation to Portsmouth Public Schools. This policy combined with the state code makes it impossible for the City Council to determine teachers and other employees of the school system salaries or salary increases. This is the responsibility of the Portsmouth School Board. Public Education – Capital Improvement Projects The proposed funding for Portsmouth Public Schools Capital Improvement Program Projects is nine point seven million dollars ($9.7 million) for ongoing and new projects. The projects for education are:  Ongoing Projects totaling eight point five million dollars ($8.5 million): Wilson High School – HVAC Cooling Tower Replacement; total cost of the o project, one point sixty-five million dollars ($1.65 million) James Hurst, Churchland Primary & Intermediate School Renovations; total o cost of project one point sixty-five million dollars ($1.65 million) Churchland High HVAC; total cost of project five-point twelve million dollars o ($5.12 million)  New Projects totaling one point twenty-five million dollars ($1.25 million): Hodges Manor Elementary and Churchland Elementary Schools Roof o Coatings Citywide Educational Collaborations This budget includes an additional three hundred thirteen thousand, three hundred and thirty dollars ($313,330) towards education initiatives that support lifelong learning efforts in Portsmouth. To name a few:  Starbase Victory, Incorporated provides exciting, innovative and experiential learning opportunities that inspire students to pursue education and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  Academy of Music: A Strings Program at Park View Elementary School provides twice-weekly violin lessons on instruments provided by the Academy at no cost to th the students or their families. This program is in its 20 year.