Richmond Public Schools discusses distressed budget Monday at 6

From Church Hill People’s News and Hills and Heights weblogs comes word of a public hearing to discuss the challenging budget situation facing Richmond Public Schools: The FY2010 financial plan was developed based on input received at four public meetings. We would like that input to continue; therefore, we urge parents and others to attend the […]

January 31, 2009; 9:05 PM • by Valerie Catrow

From Church Hill People’s News and Hills and Heights weblogs comes word of a public hearing to discuss the challenging budget situation facing Richmond Public Schools:

The FY2010 financial plan was developed based on input received at four public meetings. We would like that input to continue; therefore, we urge parents and others to attend the next public hearing scheduled for Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in the School Board Room located on the 17th floor of City Hall.

The financial landscape of Richmond Public Schools resembles other urban school districts in that we are faced with increasing needs amidst shrinking resources caused by the nation’s economic downturn. Despite an expected $16 million shortfall in state funding and a third straight year of level revenue from the City, our proposed 2010 budget does not compromise classroom instruction or in-class staff. With nearly 81 percent of the budget targeted toward teacher salaries and benefits, the proposed 2010 budget still provides for one of the region’s lowest teacher-student ratios, the most critical factor for maintaining and ensuring academic achievement.

CHPN also has a link to the PDF version of the 2009-2010 proposed budget.