Superintendent
Dr. Deran R. Whitney
Superintendent of Schools
The School Board and I remain committed to continuing to provide the best educational experience possible to all of the children of Suffolk. The information below is designed to provide details so others can share that commitment by supporting the board’s financial plan.
The City Manager’s proposal recommends $4 million less in local funding than requested by the School Board approved plan. Information on the City Manager’s proposed budget can be found at the City of Suffolk website, following this link: http://www.spsk12.net/about-us/budget-info/
A public information meeting on the City’s proposed budget will be presented by city staff on Wednesday, April 11th, beginning at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers, located on the second floor of the Municipal Building at 441 Market St.
A public hearing before City Council on the City’s proposed budget will be held Wednesday, April 18th, beginning at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
You can see the School Board approved budget in its entirety from our website, following this link: http://www.spsk12.net/about-us/budget-info/
Recently, the Suffolk School Board submitted its approved financial plan to the City Council. The financial plan is based upon Governor McDonnell’s proposed budget and amendments from December 19, 2011 and January 13, 2012. The state has not approved their budget as of this date so the state revenue is subject to change. The School Board’s Approved Financial Plan for Fiscal Year 2012- 2013 totals $140,883,864, a 0.75% increase of $1,045,794 from the current fiscal year.
This approved plan reflects a large decrease in federal grants due to the “funding cliff” of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as well as decreased state operating revenues, as proposed by the Governor in December 2011. This School Board’s Approved Financial Plan for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 anticipates increased funding from the City of Suffolk.
Three prior years of substantial budget cuts (state and local reductions totaling $17.8 million) have required additional reduction in operational expenditures. By spending conservatively and carefully reducing costs, we have been able to maintain the integrity of current educational programs despite reduced state and local support. This is the fourth year without a replacement equipment budget and we are carefully repairing existing equipment, in spite of increasing repair costs and emergency replacements.
Positions have been decreased wherever possible through attrition, but layoffs of personnel were unavoidable in this financial plan. Teacher salaries remain an important priority in order to continue to improve our ability to attract and retain the best teachers in the market. The School Board has requested a 2% raise (a cost of $2 million) for our hard-working and very deserving employees, who have not seen a wage increase in four (4) years.
There are many variables that are unknown as this financial plan is submitted, including Virginia Retirement System (VRW) rates and employer/employee responsibilities for payment as outlined in Senate Bills 497 and 498 that have yet to be signed into law. An adopted state budget with exact state funding also has not yet become a reality. This financial plan includes funding cost of $1 million to comply with the Senate bills, should they become law. This amount is in addition to the $2.1 million in funding for the increase in the employer portion of the VRS retirement that is not covered by additional state funding. Finally, health insurance costs have increased significantly and make up $1.5 million in additional operating expense.
Recent composite index calculations by the Virginia Department of Education indicate that the City’s wealth, or “ability to pay,” has improved for the second biennium. Due to the City’s increased wealth, the state’s share of funding for various Standards of Quality categories and composite hold harmless funding to Suffolk Public Schools for fiscal year 2012-2013 will be reduced by approximately $1.5 million.
The School Board has cut its operating fund expenses over the past three budget years by $17.8 million — in response to state and local funding decreases. In this financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year 2012-2013, the School Board has cut additional operating fund expenses by more than $2.5 million dollars.
The School Board is requesting additional local funding from City Council in the amount of $7 million to accomplish its educational objectives, to comply with upcoming state laws, and provide a much-deserved raise in pay for our employees.
The School Board and I remain committed to continuing to provide the best educational experience possible to all of the children of Suffolk. We invite and encourage you to share that commitment by supporting our financial plan.
You can see the School Board approved budget in its entirety from our website, following this link: http://www.spsk12.net/about-us/budget-info/
Information on the City Manager’s proposed budget can be found at the City of Suffolk website, following this link: http://www.spsk12.net/about-us/budget-info/
The City Manager’s proposal recommends $4 million less in local funding than requested by the School Board approved plan.
A public information meeting on the City’s proposed budget will be presented by city staff on Wednesday, April 11th, beginning at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers, located on the second floor of the Municipal Building at 441 Market St.
A public hearing before City Council on the City’s proposed budget will be held Wednesday, April 18th, beginning at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
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Our School Board recently established five broad goals to refine our six year Comprehensive Plan. They include:
• To improve student achievement and close the academic achievement gaps
• To provide a safe and nurturing environment
• To provide strong leadership for effective and efficient operations
• To advance academic achievement through enhanced instructional skills, gained by professional development
• To strengthen collaboration with stakeholders, and increase parent and community satisfaction
Measurable objectives were also created and specific strategies will be the next step in developing our division-wide Comprehensive Plan.
Whether one’s responsibility is administrating, supervising, teaching, driving a bus, preparing lunches, maintaining a building, managing an office, or parenting, there is always room for improvement and new ways to do a job even better.
As Superintendent, I know how hard we work to make this division the best we can and I appreciate it greatly! Let’s make the 2011 – 2012 school year the best year yet!
To contact the Superintendent’s Office, please call the School Administrative Offices at (757) 925.6750
