Charles City schools face financial difficulty in upcoming budget cycle

While a final figure is expected to be announce at a Jan. 23 work session, Charles City superintendent of schools David Gaston expressed concerns before diving into dialogue about the school’s FY2017-18 budget.

“This is probably the most difficult developmental process in my 27 years of education.”

Gaston’s statement referenced at least $350,000 in additional expenditures for the school’s future budget during Tuesday night’s regular school board meeting. Those new cots are the result of a decrease in projected ADM (average daily membership) of students, a reduction in state funding (pegged at $120,000), an increase in VRS (Virginia Retirement System) rates close to $100,000, and an eight percent renewal increase in health insurance.

The superintendent said that feedback from teachers at a Jan. 12 work session allowed he and his staff to retool figures in an effort to provide increases in salary. And while Gaston said his staff will have those numbers at the Jan. 23 work session, a lot of issues weighed heavily on his mind.

“The reality is that this budget will demand this school division to reconfigure,” Gaston said. “Our schools continue to lose students and we can’t continue to use the same models for programs and funding. That’s the definition of insanity.

“Our priority for FY2017-18 will be to minimize the impact of budget reductions to keep instructional programs,” the superintendent added. “Right now we have early indications that we will have level funding from our local partner, but I am also holding to the school board’s request of what they want to see. However, there is no guarantee to realize that those desires will make the proposed budget.”

Gaston spoke about the school board’s wish list that was presented to him at November’s regular meeting. Top priorities desired by elected school officials were compensation for school employees and health insurance benefits. Other key focal items were maintaining the pre-school program, maintenance of current programming and academic support, and instituting a teaching assistance program to help instructors pay for college courses and/or recertification classes.

But the expected $350,000 in new expenditures could greatly impact the district according to Gaston. With the decline in the ADM, money is projected to be loss in the food service area. Other areas will look at salary and compensation for employees, something that is not figured into the new expenditures.

Even the school’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is expected to shift. While the projected amount is expected to remain the same, Gaston expects a shift of projects in order to address immediate needs of repairs at the schools.

“I’ve been working with [director of operations] Jerome Tyler and we are reprioritizing items,” the superintendent commented. “Our CIP is under review because of some needs that have to be addressed.”

One of the biggest issues that Gaston said would need to be looked at is roofing at the high school. According to Gaston, leaks were discovered in the walkways and gym area of the building.

“I was having Mr. Tyler looking at costs for repairs and they can go as high as $500,000,” Gaston said, shaking his head in dismay. “We also have HVAC units that need to be repaired and I am hoping that we can carryover funds from FY2016-17 to assist with them.”

The superintendent reemphasized that his Monday presentation will reflect what he deems is necessary for the school system to operate.

“There will be an ask (of the board of supervisors) for additional funding,” he added. “They know it’s coming but I have to prepare this budget of need.”

At-large representative Steve Fuhrmann expressed concern about asking local leaders for additional money.

“I’m strongly opposed to asking for any additional funding from our providers,” Fuhrmann said. “I had a conversation about it with the new chairman and he wasn’t too happy about that idea.”

Preston Adkins, also an at-large representative on the school board, said that more is needed from local parents and residents in the county in an effort to provide services to students.

“Even though a person may not have a kid in the system, they may have an idea to help the system,” Adkins said. “I hope the community and our funding partners can come out and see what we’re going with this budget.”

As for the school’s budget and CIP, a 6 p.m. work session this Monday (Jan. 23) is expected to reveal the first dollar figures.

“I want to get this budget out the gate so we can go on and talk about it,” Gaston concluded.