As the Fiscal Year 2015 budget discussions continue, Fairfax County Public Schools face staff reductions.
The Fairfax County School Board adopted the budget of $2.5 million proposed by Superintendent Karen Garza. The budget includes $96.5 million in reductions, 60 percent of which will be the result of eliminating 731.2 positions.
Assistant principals, teachers, and custodial support are three of the several groups facing elimination. Other groups include technology specialists and clerical employees.
In addition to these cuts, FCPS will reduce costs by charging students for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams.
“By changing FCPS’ policy to no longer require students who take an AP or IB course to take the AP or IB exam, FCPS will be able to charge a student fee to cover the full cost of the test based on the opinion of the Attorney General for Virginia,” Director of the Office of Budget Services Kristen Michael said. “[He] stated that school boards cannot impose a mandatory fee to students taking advanced placement courses while requiring students to take the related AP or IB test.”
FCPS will continue to cover the costs of these tests for those who qualify for free and reduced-price meals.
The Fiscal Year 2015 budget was also developed to address the rise in retirement and health insurance rates.
The retirement rate increases are due to an increase in the Virginia Retirement System rate and Fairfax County Employees’ Retirement System rate.
“Both of these rates are beyond the control of the School Board,” Michael said. “They are set by the Virginia General Assembly and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, respectively.”
Principal Kim Retzer does not know exactly how the proposed changes will affect staffing allocations.
According to an online newsletter from FCPS, student enrollment has grown by 15,603 students and is projected to reach 187,994 students for the Fiscal Year 2015.
Consequentially, class sizes are predicted to increase by one student.
“Staffing is based on student enrollment projections,” Retzer said. “I do want to stress how important it is that students pick classes for next year during the academic advising sessions with counselors very carefully. I have to make staffing decisions in April and those will be based on the classes students sign up for.”